Meet Ardie C., rehabilitating after a spinal hemorrhage affected his ability to walk
Artie, age 14, was born with a congenital disorder known as arteriovenous malformation of the spinal cord in which abnormal arteries and veins tangle around the spinal cord, sometimes inhibiting oxygen from reaching the spinal cord tissue.Two years ago, a blood vessel ruptured, leaving Ardie unable to
stand and without feeling in his left leg. His mom, Gjyste, immediately
researched the latest in mobility rehabilitation and found the locomotor
training program at Kessler Foundation Research Center.
Kessler
Foundation is one of seven research centers in the NeuroRecovery
Network (NRN), an initiative of the Christopher and Dana Reeve
Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control. Through this network of
research facilities, NRN promotes the recovery of walking and motor
function through activity-based rehabilitation called locomotor
training.
Though his intensive rehab schedule hasn't been easy,
Ardie's is being rewarded with great progress. He starts his day at 8 am,
an hour later his teacher arrives to provide instruction until 11:30 am, and then a family member drives him the hour from New York to the
Research Center. After he arrives, therapists strap him in a harness,
suspend him over a treadmill, and help move his legs in order to
simulate high speed walking.
Before starting the locomotor
training program, he couldn't stand or take steps. Ardie also needed leg
braces that went past his knee or else his foot would drag. Now he can
stand without assistance, no longer needs braces, has improved
sensation, and walks around his house with crutches. My balance got a
lot better, said Ardie. When I started the training, I wasn't able to
hold myself upright even with braces. Now I can stand for a few minutes
without my braces, without holding on to anything.
Ardie's goal
is to eliminate his need for a wheelchair and walk independently using
crutches. After accomplishing that, hell try to eliminate the crutches
as well. The experience with locomotor training also helped him find a
direction for his future.
I definitely want to go to college,
maybe become a doctor so I can help people like me get back on their
feet, said Artie.
His mom has no doubts about what her son can
achieve. With everyones help, I think we are definitely going to meet
our goals, said Gjyste. It just takes a lot of time, patience,
motivation, and never giving up.
Interested in participating in a research study? Check out what studies are currently accepting participants.