At 13, LaNita Richardson was paralyzed in a hunting accident when an errant shotgun blast to her abdomen took away her ability to walk. She spent seven months at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, before returning home. From that point forward, she went head on at life’s challenges. She got her driver’s license, finished high school and met the love of her life, Brad Richardson, her husband of 38 years and wingman on her journey to walking. So, as she is known to do – she took on a the ultimate challenge for someone with a spinal cord injury: Walking. First she met with an orthotics specialist who sized her for a special brace that helps move a person’s legs forward, as they shift weight from side to side – with the help of crutches or parallel bars. Then, she was sent to see Mark Wilson, a physical therapist at Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire Physical Therapy. This is when the real work began. Wilson, as well as his colleague Young, is trained in neurological rehabilitation. So, when he meets someone like Toots he gets excited at the opportunity (and challenge) of helping someone improve her quality of life. But he also knows the reality. Anecdotally, about 20 percent of people are successful with this type of therapy and brace, Wilson said. Most people burn out, not willing to endure the 3-4 hours of work needed daily to gain the strength necessary to take a few steps. Those who do succeed often are much younger than Toots – including many veterans wounded in combat. LaNita, though, was among that 20 percent. Don't Just Live. Shine. Blog: shine365.marshfieldclinic.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marshfieldcl... Twitter: @mfldclinic https://twitter.com/mfldclinic
Woman walks for first time in over 40 years - YouTube | |
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Non-profits & Activism | Upload TimePublished on 17 Aug 2015 |
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