Ronald’s Story

I was an active backpacker and mountain climber for years. On October 5, 2013 I went into the water at Laguna Beach California and hit my head on the bottom of the ocean . It resulted in a fracture of C2. Six weeks were spent in ICU and then air ambulance to Seattle Washington for 71 days in physical rehabilitation in which I learned to walk again with a walker and arms Canes. Building strength was the key through rigorous determination. I was able to resume a variety of activities, but with limitations. I pressed on doing all of the physical conditioning that I could do. I have defied the odds of what a person is able to do with C2 injury. Through it all I have been able to maintain the use of my arms and my legs, but the past couple of years I have had numerous UTIs that have really set me back and depleted my physical strength. They have been severe enough to have resulted in hospitalization. Aggressive physical therapy can help bring back necessary strength and keeping me safer.

It will relieve my family to know that I’m getting the added help that will strengthen me and keep me safer and more independent. The more that I can do on my own the better for the entire family. Functionality is essential.