Another Post!! (whats new with Brent!)

Its Wednesday night and I am doing very well! Today I worked in my standing frame for an hour, I was on my bike for an hour, I used the therastem (e-stim) machine for an hour and half, AND worked on my exercise program. Everyday I am striving to do better with each of my exercises. Once I reach a certain level on my bike I try to increase my pushing power the next time. I can currently push my bike approximately 80-90% every time.

Let me just take some time to let everyone know exactly the progress that I am making. There have been many people thinking I should be walking in a couple of days or at least in a few weeks. I am currently not at that level YET....but my progress is slowly getting better. I will do my best to explain the movements that I have regained.

After my accident I had absolutely NO movement or feeling. My legs felt like they were just dead weight. However, today after 7 months (hard to believe its been that long) I am regaining movements in my hips. I still have not regained anything in my knees and ankles...YET! One of my exercises is to lay on my side with one leg supported at the ankle and knee by someone. I am able to pull my leg up into my chest using my hips and then extend my leg straight out. I can do this several times back and forth very quickly and with a lot of force. My feelings are vague but are slowly returning. I also do an exercise when I cover my eyes and try to feel where my legs are being touched. Some of the feelings are vague but the hardest thing for me to do is localize exactly where I am being touched. I KNOW you are touching my left leg and I know you are touching the foot....but i have NO clue which toe you are touching?? But that will come back in time!

There is still a great possibility for me to walk with braces sooner than later. What this does is locks my knees and ankles in place. With braces and crutches I will be able to swing my legs at the hips in order to walk. Since my legs would be straight and not able to bend at the knee it will be an awkward walk.....BUT its a walk! I know that in time once I get more and more return in my legs I will be able to walk unassisted! Just like I use to walk before the accident-man, did I have a pretty walk!!! haha jk!

On July 22nd I am going for my evaluation at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. The evaluation will figure out exactly where I am and the goals I want to achieve. Let me just tell you my goals....ITS TO WALK AGAIN! That should be a simple answer to give them. Once they evaluate where I am I will then go home for a couple of weeks while they design a specific plan for therapy. The Shepherd center is GOAL oriented so I guess they are going to have to help me walk again before I get discharged!

My progress has been tremendous! Moving my hips is crucial to walking again. I can brace my knees and ankles but I get most of my movement out of my hips. In time I know I will regain A LOT more in my legs. Slowly but surely I am getting better and I give ALL the glory to God! I humbly ask each and everyone of you to keep me in your prayers! This is going to be a long journey for me but it is one that I will need constant support through! Your prayers are directly affecting my outcome and progress! My progress so far is nothing short of miraculous!! To go from a complete injury with NO HOPE of recovery to being able to move my legs is huge. I am defying the odds and I have FAITH that I will walk again! Its FAITH! so hard to describe this feeling but I know that through prayers and God's blessings I will come out of this tragedy OK!!

I want to thank EVERYONE for there comments they lift my spirits so much to read them. I check this blog probably 10-15 times day to read the comments so many of you have written me! Thank you for your kind words.....AND SONGS?!??? haha Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers!
I LOVE YOU ALL!
IN HIM,
BRENT