Enjoy!
Click the picture for the story of Calypso, the Three Legged Green Sea Turtle, and why she's my symbol
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Boot Camp Week 2
For those who missed Boot Camp - Week 1
Spinal Cord Rehab Boot Camp - Week 2
Highlights: I'm no longer using a cane to walk! Plus parties and artwork!
Monday, Day 5:
On Monday I used the Therastride, a very useful (if uncomfortable) machine. The harness holds you over a moving treadmill and with the assistance of some therapists it allows those that haven't walked in a very long time a chance to step again. I no longer need much of any direct help though my therapists are still there to assist my legs and hips as needed. The harness takes a little of my weight off the ground so I can focus on walking correctly, instead of focusing on simply not falling over.
Another machine they've had me use before is a vibration plate. Depending how far apart you put your legs, the more the device throws off your balance. The last time I attempted this, a few boot camps ago, I could barely stay on at all. Now I'm able to work my legs halfway out, which is a medium difficulty. Either way I still end the session just as wobbly.
A large part of our focus these two weeks is on my hamstrings (the muscles behind the knee that allow most people to bend their legs back) muscle groups that have slowly been returning. In previous boot camps I focused on getting these muscles to contract at all. Now I can get the muscles to contract consistently but they're still very weak. I can get my leg to bend in the pool and when I'm lying on my side, though bending the leg on land is still a work in progress. Still, to see my leg act like it's supposed to in the pool is encouraging.
On Tuesday we went to a lower floor to the children's gym to use the split belt treadmill. It has two rotating belts instead of just the one, with adjustable speed on both belts. This allows me to work on the timing of my walking. We had planned to use it the first week but it was having mechanical issues. This week everything worked fine with each leg getting its own individualized workout.
Wednesday, Day 7
One of the strangest experiences of my two weeks but also one of the best was the "Bro-Party". There were a few other early 20-something guys there for bootcamp so someone decided to throw a "bro-party", a tradition one of my fellow patients had started at a previous boot camp. While doing our various balance exercises, we listened to "bro" music, wore cool sunglasses (I got the leopard print) with fake mustaches, while playing Gatorade pong (we're in a hospital, gotta keep it PG). It was one of the strangest experiences of my two weeks but I had a blast! My team ended up winning so that was an extra bonus.
Thursday, Day 8
Another group of us got into a dance-off playing Just Dance for the Wii. It was me, a young girl using a walker, and an old guy in one of the standing machines they have around the gym. It was hard to come to a consensus on which song to play, though mostly because all 3 of us were so indecisive. I don't remember who ended up winning as far as points but we all looked extremely silly so it's a draw in the end. But we had fun and I got to spend some of my exercise time dancing (badly) to some of my favorite songs.
Friday, Day 9
They also gave me a home program of exercises that I can do from my room, such as spelling out the alphabet with my weak leg (this practices strength and coordination). It's full of exercises that'll keep me busy and challenged hopefully for the next 6 months.
AFTER I GOT BACK
When I got back to North Carolina I started putting into action the suggestions of my therapists. One suggestion was to get shoes with more ankle support. I'm pretty sure they were talking about hiking boots but since I have a sense of style I got a pair of Chuck Taylors, the old school high top Converse. Though I wasn't expecting these to make any difference, I found myself walking better and better.
Artwork
I've been in kind of a winter funk and hadn't felt like writing for the last couple of weeks. I did however channel that weird mood into artwork. I've post some of my paintings up here already but you may not know I also enjoy drawing. I was given a giant sketchbook for Christmas and have been slowly filling it up ever since (plus more paintings). These are just a few examples of what's been filling my time instead of my blog (sorry internets!). I have dozens more and I will post more in the coming days. Enjoy.
Spinal Cord Rehab Boot Camp - Week 2
Highlights: I'm no longer using a cane to walk! Plus parties and artwork!
Monday, Day 5:
On Monday I used the Therastride, a very useful (if uncomfortable) machine. The harness holds you over a moving treadmill and with the assistance of some therapists it allows those that haven't walked in a very long time a chance to step again. I no longer need much of any direct help though my therapists are still there to assist my legs and hips as needed. The harness takes a little of my weight off the ground so I can focus on walking correctly, instead of focusing on simply not falling over.
An old picture of me on the therastride. This was back when I needed someone to help with both legs (I only need help with the left leg now).
Your whole body feels like it's buzzing after you step off the vibration plate.
A large part of our focus these two weeks is on my hamstrings (the muscles behind the knee that allow most people to bend their legs back) muscle groups that have slowly been returning. In previous boot camps I focused on getting these muscles to contract at all. Now I can get the muscles to contract consistently but they're still very weak. I can get my leg to bend in the pool and when I'm lying on my side, though bending the leg on land is still a work in progress. Still, to see my leg act like it's supposed to in the pool is encouraging.
These are the hamstrings.
Tuesday, Day 6On Tuesday we went to a lower floor to the children's gym to use the split belt treadmill. It has two rotating belts instead of just the one, with adjustable speed on both belts. This allows me to work on the timing of my walking. We had planned to use it the first week but it was having mechanical issues. This week everything worked fine with each leg getting its own individualized workout.
Harder than it looks to have two legs at different speeds.
One of the strangest experiences of my two weeks but also one of the best was the "Bro-Party". There were a few other early 20-something guys there for bootcamp so someone decided to throw a "bro-party", a tradition one of my fellow patients had started at a previous boot camp. While doing our various balance exercises, we listened to "bro" music, wore cool sunglasses (I got the leopard print) with fake mustaches, while playing Gatorade pong (we're in a hospital, gotta keep it PG). It was one of the strangest experiences of my two weeks but I had a blast! My team ended up winning so that was an extra bonus.
Me at the bro-party with shades and a fake mustache. Brotastic.
Thursday, Day 8
Another group of us got into a dance-off playing Just Dance for the Wii. It was me, a young girl using a walker, and an old guy in one of the standing machines they have around the gym. It was hard to come to a consensus on which song to play, though mostly because all 3 of us were so indecisive. I don't remember who ended up winning as far as points but we all looked extremely silly so it's a draw in the end. But we had fun and I got to spend some of my exercise time dancing (badly) to some of my favorite songs.
We were not nearly this coordinated.
Friday, Day 9
The last day, like the first day, is always reserved for evaluations and tests to see how I've progressed over the two weeks. I did make significant improvements, walking slightly more even on the Gait Rite, the machine that takes a digital image of your walking pattern. I also improved my times in all the walking tests they had me do. I can attribute most of this to my therapist teaching me how to use my brace so that I get more spring in my step, which propels me forward.
.
They also gave me a home program of exercises that I can do from my room, such as spelling out the alphabet with my weak leg (this practices strength and coordination). It's full of exercises that'll keep me busy and challenged hopefully for the next 6 months.
AFTER I GOT BACK
When I got back to North Carolina I started putting into action the suggestions of my therapists. One suggestion was to get shoes with more ankle support. I'm pretty sure they were talking about hiking boots but since I have a sense of style I got a pair of Chuck Taylors, the old school high top Converse. Though I wasn't expecting these to make any difference, I found myself walking better and better.
I began walking so well that I decided to leave the cane at home. That first day was kinda rough but after that I just kept going. It's now been 2 weeks since I used my cane at all!
No I didn't break my canes. They're in the corner collecting dust!
I've been in kind of a winter funk and hadn't felt like writing for the last couple of weeks. I did however channel that weird mood into artwork. I've post some of my paintings up here already but you may not know I also enjoy drawing. I was given a giant sketchbook for Christmas and have been slowly filling it up ever since (plus more paintings). These are just a few examples of what's been filling my time instead of my blog (sorry internets!). I have dozens more and I will post more in the coming days. Enjoy.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Boot Camp Week 1
It's that time again! Every 6 months I return to Kennedy Krieger Institute to do physical therapy, known as BOOT CAMP! I go in for therapy for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, for two weeks (with an added hour in the pool 3 times a week). This grueling but necessary addition to my PT program has helped me to improve as far as I have; they help me push the limits of what I can already do and get me to try new skills. In the end I leave a step ahead of when I arrive, ready to put my new skills to work.
Day 1
Every time I come to Kennedy Krieger, the first day is filled with tests and evaluations. These give them a baseline of my strength and balance; it's not generally very exhausting (that comes later) but it lets them have numbers to compare when they're comparing my progress. I've been lucky that my numbers continue to improve, though over the years they have started to slow. The measures that continues to improve the most are standing balance and walking endurance.
One of the tests they always do is the 10 meter test, a test of how fast I can travel 10 meters. A long time ago my dad commented that it was how fast I could outrun a bear. I said that I didn't think I was fast enough to outrun a bear just yet. He qualified his original statement, saying it was a test to see how fast I could outrun a disabled angry bear. Since then we've called it the disabled angry bear test, a name that never fails to crack up the person timing the test.
Day 2
The second day we really got down to work. We started off the day with various exercises for my left left (the weaker leg). After this we went off and used the Gait Rite, one of the few pieces of equipment that I hadn't at least tried before. The Gait Rite measures step length, foot placement, and the relative amount of weight you put on either foot to get an idea of how to improve your walking pattern.
I walked over the sensor using my cane and again without my cane. The data showed that my steps were more even when I walked without a cane. Though this is exciting news, meaning that I am ready to slowly start weaning off the cane, it's hard to let my cane go. I've walked using so many assistive devices that the idea of walking without one is a little scary. It's as hard to let go as a security blanket.
I always end up working hard but that's not to say there isn't some fun mixed into the day. There is a Wii used for different exercises, though it's largely there to distract the kids who come to KKI while they do therapy. Along with Wii Sports and Wii Fit, I'm regularly roped into a dance battle using the game Just Dance.
This pool session was unique in that it was the first time I was able to walk without any assistance on the underwater treadmill. I can walk without a cane on land with relative ease but moving underwater with at least a rail to lean on is always challenging. The therapist I worked with made the same observation as my therapist on land, that I walked more evenly when I didn't have something to lean on.
It's the end of the week, I'm tired and I'm sore but there's already some progress made. I still have another week to go but this week has reminded me what I'm working towards. I am grateful to everyone at KKI who works with me, kicking my butt all week. I've worked hard but they've worked just as hard on planning my program and molding it based on what I can accomplish. KKI rocks!
You and I will never be this hardcore.
Day 1
Every time I come to Kennedy Krieger, the first day is filled with tests and evaluations. These give them a baseline of my strength and balance; it's not generally very exhausting (that comes later) but it lets them have numbers to compare when they're comparing my progress. I've been lucky that my numbers continue to improve, though over the years they have started to slow. The measures that continues to improve the most are standing balance and walking endurance.
One of the tests they always do is the 10 meter test, a test of how fast I can travel 10 meters. A long time ago my dad commented that it was how fast I could outrun a bear. I said that I didn't think I was fast enough to outrun a bear just yet. He qualified his original statement, saying it was a test to see how fast I could outrun a disabled angry bear. Since then we've called it the disabled angry bear test, a name that never fails to crack up the person timing the test.
I dare you to try thinking about outrunning a disabled bear without smiling.
Day 2
The second day we really got down to work. We started off the day with various exercises for my left left (the weaker leg). After this we went off and used the Gait Rite, one of the few pieces of equipment that I hadn't at least tried before. The Gait Rite measures step length, foot placement, and the relative amount of weight you put on either foot to get an idea of how to improve your walking pattern.
The computer records a picture of your steps as well as all the associated data.
I walked over the sensor using my cane and again without my cane. The data showed that my steps were more even when I walked without a cane. Though this is exciting news, meaning that I am ready to slowly start weaning off the cane, it's hard to let my cane go. I've walked using so many assistive devices that the idea of walking without one is a little scary. It's as hard to let go as a security blanket.
Day 3
My therapists love to try different pieces of equipment out on me. I've been around for 3 years so I'd thought I'd seen most of them but I was surprised again. We worked out using the Biodex System, a machine that allows you to isolate every conceivable muscle in your leg, hip, and trunk. It has a dozen or more attachments (that I saw) and we worked as many as we could before I was exhausted.
The data generated from this machine is accurate enough to use in peer reviewed studies.
I always end up working hard but that's not to say there isn't some fun mixed into the day. There is a Wii used for different exercises, though it's largely there to distract the kids who come to KKI while they do therapy. Along with Wii Sports and Wii Fit, I'm regularly roped into a dance battle using the game Just Dance.
Nothing screams irony more than a group of disabled people rocking out to Moves Like Jaggar.
Day 4
The pool at KKI is one of the best things about coming here. The pool has a floor that raises and lowers, cameras in the sides so you can watch your legs as you walk, and an underwater treadmill.
They also have more aquatic therapy equipment than I knew existed.
This pool session was unique in that it was the first time I was able to walk without any assistance on the underwater treadmill. I can walk without a cane on land with relative ease but moving underwater with at least a rail to lean on is always challenging. The therapist I worked with made the same observation as my therapist on land, that I walked more evenly when I didn't have something to lean on.
All this week I'd seen people with the same T-shirts, from 3E Love. I've followed them on facebook for a while but this trip has made me determined to go and get myself a hoodie with this design. How can you not love these?
You can find different designs, different styles, different colors, T-shirts, hoodies, decals, jewelry, temporary tattoos... the list goes on.
It's the end of the week, I'm tired and I'm sore but there's already some progress made. I still have another week to go but this week has reminded me what I'm working towards. I am grateful to everyone at KKI who works with me, kicking my butt all week. I've worked hard but they've worked just as hard on planning my program and molding it based on what I can accomplish. KKI rocks!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
3-year Anniversary of My Accident
I haven't written anything on this blog in a while but the anniversary of my car accident is a date I couldn't ignore.
If you happen to be reading this blog for the first time, read this post first, explaining my story.
(If anyone wants to see how things have changed you can check out my First Post After The Accident, Year 1, and Year 2)
This year has been one of continuing progress. I've had 2 different leg braces, ending the year using the Allard Toe-OFF AFO, an ankle brace that makes use of carbon fiber to make it durable and light. This is my smallest and lightest brace yet, compensating for the lack of ankle movement in my left leg.
I finished another semester, leaving me only one more until I graduate with my bachelor's degree in biology. I'm already applying to graduate schools for next fall, where I'll study bioinformatics (a combination biology and computer programming).
If you happen to be reading this blog for the first time, read this post first, explaining my story.
(If anyone wants to see how things have changed you can check out my First Post After The Accident, Year 1, and Year 2)
This year has been one of continuing progress. I've had 2 different leg braces, ending the year using the Allard Toe-OFF AFO, an ankle brace that makes use of carbon fiber to make it durable and light. This is my smallest and lightest brace yet, compensating for the lack of ankle movement in my left leg.
Some of my old braces took about 5 minutes or more to get on. This takes about a minute.
I've still had my share of medical issues. I've had multiple surgeries for an ongoing infection that's gotten all the way down to the metal in my back. Once metal hardware is infected (especially necessary hardware that you can't remove) it's very hard to get rid of. Precautions have been taken and every measure is being taken to try and eradicate the bug in my back.
Read my 5 Insights From the ER
I finished another semester, leaving me only one more until I graduate with my bachelor's degree in biology. I'm already applying to graduate schools for next fall, where I'll study bioinformatics (a combination biology and computer programming).
I've been continuing to explore my new found passion for painting. This year I painted my Christmas gifts for people, coming up with a few really great ones. Some are better than others but I had fun painting each and every one of them.
The tabernacle of a church, painted for my mother.
The Four Seasons, for Q. Try looking at it upside-down.
The final painting turned out really well, though this picture didn't do it justice.
The original.
The Nightmare Before Christmas, for Kayla.
Batman Celtic Knot, for Philip.
The Sun Over Lake Michigan, for my aunt.
Minas Tirith from Lord of the Rings, for my dad.
My friend Cat asked for a picture of me and I painted her this.
There are still a couple of others in the mail that I won't post. Needless to say I've been spending countless hours working on these. The best part is that from all my brainstorming sessions of what to paint for people, I have a giant stack of painting ideas and sketches that I can still use.
Lastly I want to thank everyone who's helped me along this past year. I've worked hard but no one gets anywhere without some from help of those around them (family or friends). I first want to thank my Mom and Dad, who've been there to kick my butt over the years when I'd already given up. Dad, thank you for being there for advice, counsel, and a fresh pair of eyes. Mom, you've been there since since the beginning and have carried me kicking and screaming down the road to recovery; I love you both more than words can convey. To my siblings, thanks for being there to dish out the family gossip, to commiserate, to give me a patient ear when I've needed it, and helping to keep my life in perspective. Thanks Philip, a true friend through anything. Thanks Kelley, my amazing faghag, who helped keep me sane no matter what was going on in my life. Thanks Tony, for reminding me to relax and enjoy life and not to take things so seriously. Thanks Kayla and Eli, the cutest family I know, for reminding me what's important in life. Thanks all the staff of Coastal Rehab (though especially Mindy and Lynn) for tireless working to keep me improving. Thanks to all the staff up at the Kennedy Kreiger Institute and The International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (Kristin, Meredith, Brooke, Stephanie, Marjorie, and so many more) who've been the driving force in my rehab since I was first injured. Thanks to all the doctors (there's dozens), nurses (hundreds), and other staff who've helped me with my ever climbing number of medical visits. Thank you to the orthotists who've worked tirelessly to make sure I have a working leg brace, without which I wouldn't be walking at all. Thank you to all the people who've read my blog, followed me on facebook, tumblr, etc; though this may be just a way to pass time for you, the support I've received from all of you has kept me going for all these years.
I'm currently up in Baltimore for Boot Camp again, so expect updates to follow in the next few days.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Title TBD
I've been absent from my blog lately, a hiatus caused mostly by school work.
Here's what's new:
ToeOFF AFO
I've been walking more and more using the Allard ToeOFF AFO. It's been working great. I was finally able to ramp up the amount of time I spend wearing it so now I can wear it all day (with breaks to give my skin a break).
Wound VAC
For those of you who remember this little bad boy right here, I went through a stint on the Wound VAC. It sucked out all the unwanted buildup in my back in order to help fight the infection I was dealing. It's healed up (finally!) but I still have to be careful.
I've been exiled from the water since last year, when I had to wait for my surgery scars to completely heal. Every few weeks I'd get excited that I might get to go back but to no avail. I'm not making this whole post all about that or it won't happen.
School
School is kicking my butt as we move toward another round of finals. I've got to get through the fall and the spring and I'll have my bachelors in biology. After I graduate I'm going to be looking for a career in bioinformatics. This fascinating field is all about paring microbiology and computer programming. I never expected to love computer programming but I seem to have a real knack for it. I'll soon be looking at grad schools for next fall.
Painting
I've been filling my spare time with painting, an activity I picked up recently. I currently have several underway. Here are a few fun one's that I've done recently:
Here's what's new:
ToeOFF AFO
I've been walking more and more using the Allard ToeOFF AFO. It's been working great. I was finally able to ramp up the amount of time I spend wearing it so now I can wear it all day (with breaks to give my skin a break).
My leg brace with extra padding in the background.
I love that this brace gives me the ability to raid my closet for shoes. Now that I'm not wearing my bulkier brace I fit into some of my old shoes, some of which I haven't worn since before the accident.
It's like my feet are going back in time to before the accident.
For those of you who remember this little bad boy right here, I went through a stint on the Wound VAC. It sucked out all the unwanted buildup in my back in order to help fight the infection I was dealing. It's healed up (finally!) but I still have to be careful.
WoundVAC with complementary awkward man-bag.
Once it's had a few more days to heal I can...
Once it's had a few more days to heal I can...
Return to the Water!!!
It's difficult to convey how extremely excited and overjoyed at this I am!
I've been exiled from the water since last year, when I had to wait for my surgery scars to completely heal. Every few weeks I'd get excited that I might get to go back but to no avail. I'm not making this whole post all about that or it won't happen.
School
School is kicking my butt as we move toward another round of finals. I've got to get through the fall and the spring and I'll have my bachelors in biology. After I graduate I'm going to be looking for a career in bioinformatics. This fascinating field is all about paring microbiology and computer programming. I never expected to love computer programming but I seem to have a real knack for it. I'll soon be looking at grad schools for next fall.
Painting
I've been filling my spare time with painting, an activity I picked up recently. I currently have several underway. Here are a few fun one's that I've done recently:
Who-who!
Long shadows are long.
Not actually mine. This picture is from my Dr.'s office in Albany this summer. I will have to paint my own version of this at some point.
The turtle I painted onto the stopper of my cane.
My take on the Mutts comic strip.
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