I was on a competitive gymnastics team and had done gymnastics for 4 years. The night before my 13th birthday, I was at practice and I was doing a skill when I hit my neck on a hard surface. Immediately I couldn’t feel or move anything from my chest down to my feet. I also couldn’t move my hands or fingers.

I was taken by ambulance to a helicopter, where they life-flighted me to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The doctors rushed me into surgery and operated on me all through the night, into the morning. They never gave up on me. I was in the ICU for a week. I was still unable to move, but I had some feeling back in my legs and stomach. My family was able to come to visit me often!

After that week, I was moved into the rehab unit. Every day, my OT, PT, and TR therapists worked me hard; working on sitting up, sitting balance, and many other important things. Over time I was able to move my legs and torso. I relearned how to walk a short distance! It was first with a walker, and then with crutches. After two months in the hospital, I was able to go home!

I continued to go to physical therapy until March. Now, I’m able to walk without assistance and even jog short distances. I also love to ride my therapy bike. Although I can no longer participate in many activities, I am helping coach at my old gym. Throughout all this, the two things that helped get me through this are my Faith and my family. I had constant support from my family, and many people were praying for me. God gave me a wonderful family, a wonderful Neurology/medical team, and another chance at walking again.

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• Name: Grace H.Grace Hamlin
• Condition(s): Spinal Cord Injury
• Age at Treatment: 12 years
• Age Today: 09/23/200914 Years

I was on a competitive gymnastics team and had done gymnastics for 4 years. The night before my 13th birthday, I was at practice and I was doing a skill when I hit my neck on a hard surface. Immediately I couldn’t feel or move anything from my chest down to my feet. I also couldn’t move my hands or fingers.

I was taken by ambulance to a helicopter, where they life-flighted me to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The doctors rushed me into surgery and operated on me all through the night, into the morning. They never gave up on me. I was in the ICU for a week. I was still unable to move, but I had some feeling back in my legs and stomach. My family was able to come to visit me often!

After that week, I was moved into the rehab unit. Every day, my OT, PT, and TR therapists worked me hard; working on sitting up, sitting balance, and many other important things. Over time I was able to move my legs and torso. I relearned how to walk a short distance! It was first with a walker, and then with crutches. After two months in the hospital, I was able to go home!

I continued to go to physical therapy until March. Now, I’m able to walk without assistance and even jog short distances. I also love to ride my therapy bike. Although I can no longer participate in many activities, I am helping coach at my old gym. Throughout all this, the two things that helped get me through this are my Faith and my family. I had constant support from my family, and many people were praying for me. God gave me a wonderful family, a wonderful Neurology/medical team, and another chance at walking again.