|
Sunday, 09 July 2006 |
Source: Central Florida News 13
By: Nancy Gay
Something as simple as feeling the cool touch of the parallel bars is a blessing to Gerald Allen.
"It's something small to someone like you or anyone else that's normal, they take it for granted," Allen said.
Gerald used to take it for granted as well. However, it took on a whole new meaning in November 2002.
"The guy I got into a fight with got behind me and broke my neck, which left me completely paralyzed from the neck down," Allen said.
After years of rehabilitation, his physical therapist determined Gerald hit a plateau and his insurance stopped paying for therapy.
Allen said, "I couldn't believe they were just going to give up."
That's when Gerald starting doing his own research online and came across a biotechnology company in China studying the effect of umbilical cord stem cells in paralysis patients.
While in China, Gerald got a total of five stem cell injections. Two were in his spine, two through IV's and one above and below the injury in his back. All of those injections contained at least 10 million umbilical cord stem cells.
Within weeks, he noticed a difference.
"Standing easier, longer, without the use of braces, movement in my hands," Allen said.
Is his progress typical of someone with his injuries? Physical Therapist Assistant Ron Lau said, "Yes, actually he's progressing quite nicely."
Physical Therapist Assistant Ron Lau never worked with anyone else who had stem cell injections so he can't say whether or not the stem cells made a difference.
As for Gerald, he hopes to walk again, but says just to stand on his own would be improvement enough.
Starting Sunday at 5:55 p.m., News 13 will take a look at the different types of stem cells and how one local university is trying to further stem cell research.
That's a look at Your Health, Nancy Gay, Central Florida News 13.
To see this story and other Living stories, tune to Central Florida on Demand, channel 300. Only on Bright House Networks.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 17 July 2006 )
|
