As an airborne sergeant for the Army throughout the 1980s, Jose Lopez-Rivera’s obligations were to educate young recruits exactly how to safely repel out of a helicopter.
Training includes a rigorous and multi-phase procedure for those who are not faint of heart. For many who stand in the open door of an in-flight helicopter, it’s an eye-opening experience. As you look down for the very first time repelling to the ground, you’re dominating you own fears.
Rivera assisted many to safely conquer the task. What was to become his last and also final duty, ended with misfortune. After he saw his whole staff repel to the ground, the helicopter momentarily rose to a hazardous height. Seconds later, Rivera landed to the ground with life-altering injuries.
He smashed his left leg and fractured his spinal column, and also some stated that he may never ever regain use his leg. It took six grueling months in a military rehab medical facility to walk once again, but he was unable to return to duty. He received medical disability, which meant he couldn’t work.
As an award-winning soldier, he had lots of medals that provided him distinction. He was similarly honored to follow in his father’s military career. When he came to recognize that he couldn’t endure his life in the military due to injury, he counted on family members for support. His very own father built a whole career as a soldier as well as Rivera’s heritage was difficult to leave.
His saving grace was his wife and three children and also commitment to family members is vital to him. Rivera ultimately moved to Florida to bring assistance to his aging mother. Being a father as well as son brought him joy and life went on.
Rivera’s life was to take an additional fall. Months earlier, he lost his left leg and it’s an injury that he does not like to talk about.
He again had to summon the grit of a soldier as well as find out how to walk once again. Even with all he’s been through, he says he feels fortunate to find rehabilitation a lot more fulfilling than he thought possible.
Rivera recalls his previous rehab in the military and says that today’s strategies are better. “I am not treated like a rank and serial number, I am being offered regard and also self-respect,” he says.
” These experts are here to support me and also to make certain that I am well prepared to get back on my feet,” says Rivera. He talks about being fitted with a temporary prosthesis and learning just how to walk on a specialized treadmill.
His Physical Therapist explains that Jose is making use of the AlterG treadmill for his rehabilitation. The AlterG is a device that can remove 80% of body weight and provide patients a much easier time with walking. The physical therapist says the treadmill is necessary due to the fact that it can make walking more comfortable, bring the patient self-confidence and also speed the recovery process.
Geoff Fraser says, our therapists report that prior to the AlterG, patients needed to gain walking self-confidence while using the parallel bars. That learning process can be laborious for some patients. The AlterG provides hope because they can get back to walking at a much faster rate than conventional therapy.
Using AlterG, “Patients can achieve a lowered need for walking aids as well as raise their number of steps on our treadmill.”
” Right now, we’re simply ensuring that Jose is happy with his results, getting more powerful as well as adjusting to his therapy.”
Rivera is making good progress as an inpatient and is eagerly anticipating attaining his goals as well as home to his family members.
” Our rehab family is proud to get Jose where he wishes to be,” states Fraser.
Geoff Fraser is Partner at Clear Choice Health Care in Melbourne FL