Comments on: One must crawl before one may walk..

By: chris

chris — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:04:57 +0000

Teresa -

Sent you an e-mail.

By: Teresa Oliver

Teresa Oliver — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 06:51:34 +0000

Hey there Chris; i had been doing some research on spinal cord injuries and the effects it has on the body as well as the mind and i came across your story. See, I’m dating someone who had a spinal cord injury almost a year ago and he’s now learning how to walk again with the bars. I don’t want him to feel obligated to learn to walk so quickly being that everything happens in good time; but i feel as if he’s rushing to keep up with me. I want to encourage him to appreciate this second chance and realize that i’m there for him, but i don’t know how to go about it. Could you help me to understand what I might be doing wrong in this situation, please. Thanks in advance, Teresa

By: Baby’s First Steps — Spinal Cord Injury and Healing

Baby’s First Steps — Spinal Cord Injury and Healing — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 02:06:33 +0000

[...] moved up in the world from merely crawling on the ground or standing on the parallel bars. As I’ve said before, recovering from a spinal cord injury can be a lot like being a baby again. I’ve been [...]

By: A dip in the pool… — Spinal Cord Injury and Healing

A dip in the pool… — Spinal Cord Injury and Healing — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:50:57 +0000

[...] expressed surprise at how much less support she had to provide to the right knee than expected. I’ve been worried about the right quadriceps for a while, and over the past couple weeks I’ve started to notice [...]

By: chris

chris — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:17:14 +0000

Kelly -

Thanks, I’m glad you’re able to relate. I feel like I’m not entirely forthcoming with certain thoughts, but I think in the future I’ll go back and revise things to be more complete. Some things I think I’m just not ready to share as of yet…

It’s a long road, and congrats to you on the walker and crutches! That’s awesome! Mount Sinai is an amazing place to do rehab, and I didn’t fully appreciate it until I started evaluating and discussing treatment options with people from elsewhere afterward.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:19:04 +0000

Hi Chris,

I, too, suffered a SCI at the end of last year and was also at Mt. Sinai for rehab – maybe we were even there at the same time! (small world, huh?)
I just want you to know that I can really relate to what you wrote, and I wanted to say thanks for being so honest and forthcoming with your comments. It helps to know that there are others out there who know what I am going through.
I suffered an incomplete SCI with a T12 fracture. The Mt. Sinai rehab was tough, but I think that it was the best possible place for me to begin the long process back to being “somewhat normal” again. (whatever that means:) I had Dr. Klein, and 8 plus months out, he is a real motivator. At my last visit at the end of June, he told me that he was glad to see that I’m using the walker and has encouraged me to start working with crutches in my outpatient pt. He said that next summer I should be walking in flip flops again – YEAH!
Anyway, thanks again for your thoughts – they are most appreciated from a fellow Mt. Sinai Rehab “graduate”…

By: chris

chris — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:23:27 +0000

Megan -

Thanks for the well wishes, and I look forwarding to seeing you out there in Cleveland next year!

By: chris

chris — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:22:07 +0000

MD -

Thank you! Fortunately, Christian was kind enough to ask me if I was ok with him sharing the blog with the current student body before he sent it out. I’m flattered to read the comments and e-mails from students that I’ve received since then, and I’m very enthused about getting out to Cleveland and really becoming a part of the community next year. And I’m humbled that I’ve been able to serve as a reminder to you during the challenges of medical school.

By: chris

chris — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:14:49 +0000

Pankit -

Thanks, and I will definitely be sure to keep in touch with you. Particularly since you’ll be completing the dreaded MS3 when I’m rolling into town. No pun intended. I’m glad to hear you’ve got such high regards for Case after you’ve been there for a few years.

By: Megan Coleman

Megan Coleman — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:30:49 +0000

Hi Chris! Mr. Essman just notified our class that you will be joining us next year as a result of your accident. I am very sorry that you have to endure such trials before even beginning the challenges of medical school! I would bet, however, that you’ll be an exceptional doctor because of it. I wish you the very best with your rehabilitation, and if you have any questions about med school or Case, as the year goes on I may be able to answer them! Keep up the good work!