This year my family and I chose to go to the rehabilitation center “Project Walk “. I wanted to see what they do and how they are helping get people on their feet again. I have been following Project Walk in the news and on facebook for some time. I was always interested in how they do things. Being a paraplegic I’m eager to learn anything that can help you back to your old self again. I found Project Walk very encouraging. I was stunned watching some of their clients do exercises I believed that we would never be able to do again and from someone who talks a lot(understatement my husband would say) I was absolutely gobsmacked at the results they were showing, just fantastic!!
Project walk give every SCI person the hope of recovery. Using external stimulation for the nervous system to promote reorganization they are reminding the nerves and muscles how to work again. Muscle spasms are used to build muscle mass and control, using the spasms rather than having to fight against them. They do a lot of weight bearing activities; this in itself promotes healthy bones and fitness. They do not say people will be hopping and skipping out of the door. They do say the best case is a client can regain function and continue to improve as the exercises help a client’s body to remember how to move. Worst case is the client will just leave more independent and healthy. The health benefits are great and this is something that is very much needed for a SCI person. Taken from Project walks site the below are results.
Results in:
- Increased central nervous system activity
- Increased muscle mass
- Increased circulation
- Increased sensation in some clients
- Increased hot and cold in some clients
- Increased control of life
- Decreased pressure sores
- Decreased use of medications
- Decreased health problems associated with a spinal cord injury
- Hope
Therefore this kind of therapy benefits all of us. It’s not a cure for paralysis but is a great way to get our bodies fit, possibly improving movement and sensation and all of the above.As a Cure Girl I believe this is something that should be set up around the world, we all could use a Project Walk. I would like to thank Liza, Amanda and Brock for showing my family and I around and I will definitely be back.
For more details on Project walk go to http://www.projectwalkorlando.org/
Cure Girl Rebecca