Sarah Clay Keeps Street Kids Informed
Former Mishawaka athlete still undergoing rehab following
Stem Cell surgery
Stem Cell surgery
Indianapolis, IN-
Dear TJ and Street Kids Softball,
I wanted to take a moment to let you, your teammates and readers of your website know how I
have been doing following my surgery this summer in Portugal.
I wanted to take a moment to let you, your teammates and readers of your website know how I
have been doing following my surgery this summer in Portugal.
Portugal was a unique experience. I got there and immediately figured out that life was a bit
different there. Two days after being there I had my surgery. Recovering was not the easiest
thing for the first 48 hours but it got better. I had packs up both sides of my nose, which made it
hard to breathe and caused me to breathe with my mouth open. I drank about 1 or 2 liters of
water throughout the night waking up every half an hour. The nurses were pretty nice, even
though they spoke little English, and the rest of the stay was pretty good. I stayed in the hospital
for about 6 days and then was allowed to go to the hotel. It was good to have my family
available while I was there to comfort me and encourage me.
When I got home I had to wait for a couple of weeks until I was healed from surgery. Then I
went to Detroit to start some hard physical therapy. I packed my bags and found a hotel room
and then the next day made my way downtown. The experience there was awesome. Their
program is very organized and producing many encouraging results. I went to RIM 4 days a
week for 3 hours a day. The times I remember most were the first time I got to try a motomed
machine in which I was able to push the pedals as if riding a bike and gearing up with braces to
take my first "steps" as a paraplegic.
different there. Two days after being there I had my surgery. Recovering was not the easiest
thing for the first 48 hours but it got better. I had packs up both sides of my nose, which made it
hard to breathe and caused me to breathe with my mouth open. I drank about 1 or 2 liters of
water throughout the night waking up every half an hour. The nurses were pretty nice, even
though they spoke little English, and the rest of the stay was pretty good. I stayed in the hospital
for about 6 days and then was allowed to go to the hotel. It was good to have my family
available while I was there to comfort me and encourage me.
When I got home I had to wait for a couple of weeks until I was healed from surgery. Then I
went to Detroit to start some hard physical therapy. I packed my bags and found a hotel room
and then the next day made my way downtown. The experience there was awesome. Their
program is very organized and producing many encouraging results. I went to RIM 4 days a
week for 3 hours a day. The times I remember most were the first time I got to try a motomed
machine in which I was able to push the pedals as if riding a bike and gearing up with braces to
take my first "steps" as a paraplegic.
By the end of the month a small victory was won and a relief came over me about the decision I had
made to follow Gods prompting. My discharge evaluation revealed that I had gained some control of
my hip flexors and extenders on both sides and abductors on my right side.
I returned to Indianapolis on July 14 and started therapy again the 24 at RHI in Indianapolis. Since I
have been back it has been difficult due to the newness of the program here. I have been working with
my PT to develop effective ways of exercising the muscle groups that I have gained as well as continue
to strengthen supporting muscle groups of my abdominal and back areas. I have continued doing the
motomed and FES bike as well as walking with braces. I have plans to work in the pool soon to see
what kind of strengthening I can accomplish there.
Good news as far as the progression of the program here. Yesterday the head of PT at RHI informed
me she will be going to Italy to meet with the doctor who performs this surgery as well as other PT’s
and organizations around the world to develop a protocol for the therapy and follow up. I think this will
lead to getting FDA approval but am unsure at this point.
Dr. Lima has published the results of his first seven patients in The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine.
The true test for me will come once school starts in a couple of weeks. I am going to be doing 20 credit
hours this fall semester and physical therapy 3 days a week. I also plan on working for Walgreen’s
when I get the chance. Let's just say it will be busy.
I thank God every day for the opportunity he has provided for me and the work he has done through
this experience. I continue on, even when things seem impossible, because I know that He has provided
and that he will continue to provide. All things will work together for his glory and the least I can do is
give it my all with the abilities that I have. If in the end I come up short, which is almost inevitable, I
know that my commitment and determination were not the deciding factors.
Thanks TJ for everything you and your organization has done for me. I appreciate your following the
story.
Sarah
made to follow Gods prompting. My discharge evaluation revealed that I had gained some control of
my hip flexors and extenders on both sides and abductors on my right side.
I returned to Indianapolis on July 14 and started therapy again the 24 at RHI in Indianapolis. Since I
have been back it has been difficult due to the newness of the program here. I have been working with
my PT to develop effective ways of exercising the muscle groups that I have gained as well as continue
to strengthen supporting muscle groups of my abdominal and back areas. I have continued doing the
motomed and FES bike as well as walking with braces. I have plans to work in the pool soon to see
what kind of strengthening I can accomplish there.
Good news as far as the progression of the program here. Yesterday the head of PT at RHI informed
me she will be going to Italy to meet with the doctor who performs this surgery as well as other PT’s
and organizations around the world to develop a protocol for the therapy and follow up. I think this will
lead to getting FDA approval but am unsure at this point.
Dr. Lima has published the results of his first seven patients in The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine.
The true test for me will come once school starts in a couple of weeks. I am going to be doing 20 credit
hours this fall semester and physical therapy 3 days a week. I also plan on working for Walgreen’s
when I get the chance. Let's just say it will be busy.
I thank God every day for the opportunity he has provided for me and the work he has done through
this experience. I continue on, even when things seem impossible, because I know that He has provided
and that he will continue to provide. All things will work together for his glory and the least I can do is
give it my all with the abilities that I have. If in the end I come up short, which is almost inevitable, I
know that my commitment and determination were not the deciding factors.
Thanks TJ for everything you and your organization has done for me. I appreciate your following the
story.
Sarah
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