1) Stay hydrated! Not only is it important to be aware of your diet and the nutritional value of your food, but you have to be mindful of your hydration too. Drinking plenty of water everyday helps regulate urinary and bowel functions so you can avoid infections and establish good bowel habits. Also, it has been proven that cranberries help with urinary health — which is vital for quadriplegics and paraplegics.

2) Keep the mind active. Paralysis does not mean your intellect has to be paralyzed too. Make the effort to continue through life as normally as possible because you can never overestimate the power of positivity on the body!

3) Change position. Make a conscious effort to continuously change positions throughout the day to avoid sores (especially bed sores, which is common with many spinal cord injury patients) and other complications. Whether it be in a recline position or being put in a standing position – moving around in this matter helps increase blood flow throughout the entire body.

4) Have a reliable form of pain management. Many people who are paralyzed or have spinal cord injury have what is known as neurogenic pain (a result of damage to nerves in the body or the spinal cord or even the brain itself). There are multiple treatment options for chronic pain including (but not limited to): medications, local electrical stimulations surgery, psychotherapy or even acupuncture. Discuss with your treating physician about what would be the best option for you before exploring these treatments. Expert advice and guidance is ALWAYS mandatory when exploring medical treatment.

Every story – whether it be a story of loss or gain, deserves to be shared.

This is the story of the Berry Children.

Photo via Joshua and Robin Berry Children's Trust/Facebook

I first came across the Berry Children’s story when I noticed a flood of profile picture changes take over my Facebook newsfeed. Almost instantaneously, people were sporting a graphic of four hearts as their profile picture, with the caption ‘show your hearts.’ Fueled by curiosity, I clicked around on the images and eventually I was linked to an article about the tragedy that led the Berry Children to where they are today.

The article, “Berry Children Orphaned: Justin Bieber Spurs Nationwide Movement”,  left me speechless. The Berry Family, a fun-loving family of 5 from Texas were driving back from a family vacation when their minivan was struck, killing both the parents and leaving the children in critical condition.

The two boys, Peter, 9, and Aaron, 8, have been treated for multiple spinal cord injuries and have been told they may never walk again. Their younger sister, Willa, 6, broke her arm, ankle, knee and wrist in the crash.

It is hard not to have an aching heart after hearing this story, but what is truly fascinating and incredible is the reaction of the nation to their story. Celebrities like Justin Beiber, Kourtney Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry have used their public power by tweeting to their followers to donate and spread the word about the Berry Children to #showyourhearts.

Today, Peter and Aaron are still on the road to recovery as they deal with a spinal cord injury—a struggle that millions of Americans deal with, including those in the Experea Healthcare community.

“You get inspiration from them,” says Matthew Berry, the uncle of the children and now their legal guardian, “These kids smile when somebody asks to take their picture. Can you imagine being in these kids’ shoes? It’s pretty incredible how they’re dealing with it.”

Do you want to show your heart and help support the Berry children? Donate to their Trust so they can have access to all the medical supplies and equipment they will need to treat their spinal injuries.

Ryan Neslund found out he never would be able to walk again after a motorcross accident in April 2011. Neslund, who now resides in Arizona, joined a clinical trial of an embryonic stem cell therapy within weeks of his accident. That trial was ended, though neslund will continue to be monitored.

Dr. Richard Fessler, a professor of neurosurgery at Northwestern University, performed one of the first surgeries of it’s kind on Neslund using controversial stem cell therapy. However, sever months later, after a total of four patients had received the transplants, Fessler opened an email from his office informing him that the trial was finished.

” Geron Corp., the California-based company financing the study, had decided to shift focus to cancer drugs, and with that move, another foray into stem cell therapies had come to a jarring end,” explains reporter Cynthia Dizikes, Chicago Tribune reporter.

To learn more, click here.

Dean has been an integral part of our company as well as the paralysis community for many years now and his story brings a unique perspective to the struggles and triumphs of quadriplegics. We hope you will be just as inspired by his story as we are!!

To see the full article, subscribe to Sports N’ Spokes magazine and order this month’s issue.

Eddie Canales stepped up, to be there for his son when he needed him most and hasn't left his side since.

Last Sunday night, the popular news channel CNN hosted its annual “CNN Heroes” Award Show where they honor everyday people, doing extraordinary things to change the world. As I wiped away tears after hearing story after story of each of these courageous individuals, one particular winner caught my eye.

Eddie Canales was in the stands as he proudly watched his son, Chris Canales, play football at his highschool where Chris was a senior. The crowd was roaring with excitement as Chris made a touch-down saving tackle in the last quarter.. but something was wrong. Chris laid on the ground, unable to move and unable to comprehend what had just happened. Chris Canales suffered a spinal cord injury and was told he would never be able to have full function of his lower body again. Instantly Chris’ father, Eddie Canales stepped up and did what he knew he had to do for his beloved son. He quit his job, became his full-time caretaker and dedicated his life to ensuring his son can still a fulfilled life despite his paralysis. Preservering through pits of depression and medical complications, Chris agreed to go with his father to a high school football game in hopes of seeing his favorite sport will cheer him up. In a disturbing twist of fate, during the game a player got hit and laid on the ground unable to move. Eddie and Chris knew exactly what happened. They both would later go on to visit the player in the hospital who also suffered a spinal cord injury. In that moment, Eddie knew what he had to do and that was how Gridiron Heroes was born.

After seeing what his son had to suffer through, Eddie Canales created Gridiron Heroes as a non-profit that helps atheltes who’ve suffered spinal cord injuries while playing high school football. Not only do they raise money for medical research on SCI (spinal cord injury) but they also provide emotional support to the injured athletes and their families.”

“We try to provide information, inspiration and hope,” Eddie said. “We want to make sure they don’t feel alone.”

As a community of spinal cord injury patients, caretakers and medical supply providers, we know the strain of having someone with SCI in your family and community. The burden emotionally and financially is almost unbearable and seeing someone like Eddie who truly took to his fatherly instincts to help his son and others like him, is beyond inspiring.

From everyone here at Experea Healthcare we want to say,
Congratulations Eddie Canales and best wishes to the Gridiron Heroes!!
You have been a great source of inspiration to us and to our community.

Want to read more about Eddie and Chris Canales? Click here
Want to get involved with Gridiron Heroes? Click here

By: Philia Pak
Experea Healthcare Blog Editor
(photo credit CNN.com & gridironheroes.com)

Follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AdventistHC
Like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdventistRehab
Visit their Website: http://www.adventistrehab.com/ARHM/

With that in mind, check out these cool and exciting winter adaptive sports that YOU can participate in:

SLED HOCKEY

Participants sit on their skates using an adaptive device known as a sled, which is affixed with two skate blades and a runner in the front to form a tripod.Hard checking, elevated puck shooting, and 60-mile an hour slap shots are as much a part of sled hockey as they are in “stand-up” hockey.

SIT-SKIING

This is literally as how it sounds! You set on a chair attached either one or two skis underneath and slide down the snowy slopes just as any standing skiier would!

LUGE

Luge is a the ideal extreme sport for wheelchair users and paraplegic/quadriplegic athletes. You get strapped into a long sled and race down slipper slides while manuevering and controlling the direction of the luge.

So, which winter adaptive sport do you want to try this season?

By: Philia Pak
Experea Healthcare Blog Editor

The accident:

On May 4, 2009 Brittany’s life changed in a blink of an eye. She was living in Hawaii when she was in a high-speed car accident. The car was completely destroyed and Brittany counts herself as lucky to even get out of the wreckage alive. There were two passengers in the car during the accident: the driver and Brittany. Despite Brittany’s hesitation and warnings about the hazardous road approaching, the driver continued to drive faster and lost control of the wheel, swerved off the road hitting a boulder and flipping over multiple times before hitting a tree.

At that moment — when the dust settled from the horrific accident, Brittany realized she was pinned in the car and unable to move her legs. The driver called for help and firefighters rushed to the scene. In a haze, Brittany arrived at the hospital and learned she had a fractured C7 vertebrae and dislocated C6 vertebrae and bruised C5 disc in her neck. Her family rushed to her side on the next flight from California to Hawaii, and 20 days later Brittany was taken to one of the best rehab hospitals in the U.S., Casa Colina.

The Will 2 Walk:

Beating all odds, Brittany still continues to carry the same spirit of joyfulness that she had before the accident.

“ It’s a total different life, you are put in a situation you could never be prepared for, something you’d never think would happen to you, only other people. I used to think people who were paralyzed just couldn’t walk, and wow was i wrong? That’s like the least of their problems, only the tip of the ice berg. There are so many other medical issues we deal with, it’s mind blowing and a lot of times very over whelming. Having this injury puts you to the test, not a physical test, because physically you aren’t able, so it’s more of a mind thing. Some people will give up, I don’t blame them, I’ve been close to doing so too, but I have pushed through all the challenges I had to face and will continue to in my future challenges that come along, because of the support of family and friends and people who care, all their prayers, all their get wells, all their concern helps me daily to keep pushing to overcome this hard times. Thank you all for your prayers and support. ”

Where is Brittany now?

After transferring to Casa Colina in Pomona, CA, Brittany particpated in their Transition Living program for a total of 9 months before finally moving home with her parents and brother. She does physical therapy twice a week at The Claremont Club where the Be Perfect Foundation (founded by Hal Hargrave, another Experea Healthcare patient) sponsors her. Her hard work is slowly but surely paying off, as she is getting stronger, getting increased feeling throughout her legs and getting more independence in her daily life.

“So it’s been 2 years now and my life still isn’t back on track and niether is my family’s, but we’re being strong taking it day by day. I just hope my story inspires others by showing them anything is possible if you TRY, if you BELIEVE and have the WILL. I wouldn’t be able to do it without all of you so just would like to say thank you all for everything. Thank you all for reading my story, please share it with your friends and family and I hope you can continue to help me on my journey on my WILL 2 WALK. “

Want to learn more about Brittany’s incredible story?

Visit her website: http://britswill2walk.com/ and support her WILL 2 WALK.
Also, be sure to follow her on twitter for updates on her recovery! @britz317

How amazing is Brittany?! She has been determined to take this tragedy into a blessing by being a beacon of inspiration to all those around her – through her blog, tweets and her delightful personality. Despite everything that has happened to her, she only concentrates on what she can make happen- and that is a quality very rare to find in people today. Thank you Brittany for simply being an extraordinary human being and truly proving: what does not kill you, only makes you stronger.

By: Philia Pak
Experea Healthcare Blog Editor

Buying a power wheelchair can be confusing, so be sure to pay attention to these important mobility tips. Our rehab experts know the best brands and most comfortable power wheelchairs available for paraplegics or quadriplegics, at the lowest price. Here is a simple breakdown of the wheelchair basics, to learn more: contact us at info@expereahealthcare.com.

1) Know which TYPE of power wheelchair you want.

There are quite a few different types of power wheelchairs, so before you go ahead and tell your medical and rehab supplier that you want a power wheelchair, be sure to specify which one! You can choose from:

- Rear wheel drive wheelchairs
- Mid Wheel Drive Wheelchairs
- Front Wheel Drive Wheelchairs
- Folding Power Wheelchairs
-All Terrain Wheelchairs
- Bariatric Power Wheelchairs

2) Consult an occupational or physical therapist.

Especially for those who have been diagnosed as paraplegic or quadriplegic, talk to your therapist about your own mobility needs so you can find the right type of wheelchair for your capabilities. For example, some spinal cord injury patients have only partial function of their hands and require additional adaptive equipment to maneuver the wheelchair.

For more information regarding customized rehab equipment for spinal cord injury patients, visit:http://expereahealthcare.com/experea-companies/patients/medical-supplies-and-rehab-equipment/product-and-rehab-equipment-overview/

3) Don’t forget the wheelchair cushion!

Most wheelchair users worry about the mobility function of a wheelchair and glance over the comfort level of the chair, however your comfort should be priority #1! Selecting the right wheelchair cushion will either break or make your wheelchair. Whether you choose a foam, gel or air wheelchair cushion be sure to test out a few different types so you find exactly what is right for you.

4) Talk to your insurance provider.

Insurers will generally only cover the cost of one wheelchair so be sure to call your provider and go over what you or your patient is eligible for. With your doctor’s approval, Medicare should cover 80% of your wheelchair and your supplemental/secondary insurance will cover the remainder. (However, Medicare MUST be your primary insurance carrier in order to file the initial claim with them).

If you have questions about your medical insurance and about what or what is not covered, feel free to call Experea’s medical insurance experts and they will be happy to assist you through the entire process. (866) 397-3732. Or email us at: info@expereahealthcare.com

5) Plan ahead!

Customizing power wheelchairs and processing orders can take up to a few months, so you won’t actually receive your power wheelchair for months. Be sure you keep that in mind and have a temporary means of mobility meanwhile.

Full article: http://www.prlog.org/11735311-mobility-tips-5-things-to-know-before-buying-power-wheelchair.html