On May 17, 1989, I became paralyzed from the neck down and dependent
on a ventilator to breathe due to Transverse Myelitis. I was 21.
I woke up with a pain in my shoulder. Went to work and about 30 mins
later the pain got very intense. I suddenly could not stand then
stopped breathing. I later found out that my heart stopped and it
took awhile for them to stabilize me to even transport me to the
hospital a few blocks away. The doctors had no idea what had happened
to me. initial thought were possibly a stroke, lyme disease, or
Guillain-Barre Syndrome. I was in and out during that time, could not
talk, only remember bits. After about 2 weeks I had a MRI and was
given the diagnoses of Acute Transverse Myelitis.
I was in ICU until July 31 then transfered to rehab. In rehab I was
treated as a person with a spinal cord injury. I had physical therapy
which consisted of giving me range of motion and practice driving my
sip and puff operated wheelchair. In speech therapy and occupational
therapy I learned morse code to access the computer. I practiced
typing and played tetris and chess. In October, I was able to leave
the hospital for the first time and went to see the Batman movie. I
started going to movies about once a week. The nurses always tried to
get the other patients to go out when I went because I was the only
vent dependent high level quadriplegic and enjoyed going out. Others
were paraplegics, having problems dealing with their condition. I was
in rehab until January 31st.
I've been paralyzed most of my life. Wow how time flies.
----
Jim Lubin
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://makoa.org/jim
disAbility Resources: http://www.makoa.org
