Alex will walk again

Getting better - i was on the treadmill today, each time i do it things change, Steve sits in front moving my legs forward “simulating” walking, the more i do it my brain has more time to map out what my legs are doing, touching on muscle memory, since i’ve been using my bars and treadmill my reflex’s have really came back to life - EVERYTHING CAME FROM NOTHING - it’s the big bang theory, and the text i have tattooed on my back! medically i was told that if theres nothing there nothing will come…. i’ve been told lots of things that i’ve decided to say bollock’s to and do my own thing..

my shoulders.. my strength… i feel quite weak at the moment, physio is ok, i’m not breaking any records but i’m not going backward either - i can still maintain independent standing. My reflex’s are actually getting better in my right leg - each time my knee is “tapped” i get a jolt up through my quad - this is very promising in itself.. again - nobody knows what will happen! today i’m going to the beach to fly my kite and walk the dogs

Half Moon Cay - Bahamas

i went out and got muddy today in the off road chair - bring on the summer! i will be out a lot more this year - it’s time for my Independence.. i’m still maintaining my new transfers.. although i’m really feeling it today in my arms! i’ve got to push through to move forward… but not over do it - i’ll be back on my bike tomorrow - legs and arms

i went on the tread mill on Saturday with Steve, i’ve found that i’ve jumped ahead of myself… i need to slow down a bit, it’s so hard to try and move on “just enough” i have found that standing with the bars has really taken it out of me… it’s good that now i know what i’m capable of - what i WILL be able to achieve in the future, i need to build my upper body up a little more, and increase the strength in my left wrist.. but soon i will be up again.. after standing last week, my shoulders and arms were killing me, i was unable to do my arm bike… so now i am concentrating on my upper body strength, so tomorrow back to basic’s - i’ll be doing transfers. I’ll be using my arm bike and wrist weight then seeing what i can do in a few weeks time. it is important to let the body rest to!

i tried the FES arm bike but just couldn’t take it… my shoulders were aching way to much, it does show how much work goes into standing - i need to give my body time to recover in-between sessions

Today i found a few interesting things out while on the bars.. as i push up taking my weight through my upper body, then lowering back down “sharing” my weight through my legs, then pushing back up.. my legs then go into extension, making me do a little jump! this then makes my right leg step back.. using my hips and upper body i can then step forward again (this is all done in my harness) i can repeat this a few times, while doing this there is a lot of weight going through my wrists, as you can imagine this restricts things.. but by using my FES arm bike, i can build up my wrists and forearms, allowing me to push further! walking for me CAN be achieved but will require good upper body strength - watch this space…

Today i completed a session on the FES bike, both legs and arms, tomorrow morning i’ll be up early to stand with my bars and hopefully break some new records! only time will tell what i can achieve - just wish it didn’t take so long… but then, you shouldn’t wish your life away..

only YOU can make things happen

LINK 1 HOUR 17 MINUTES into the show i get interviewed live on air, you can listen by clicking the LINK

Today my physio went well, i used my treadmill to do weight bearing (assisted) steps, now i am going to alternate each session - parallel bars with the treadmill… last Saturday i stood (using my bars), when i first tried this, i was in my harness unable to hold myself.. leaning 50% on the harness 25% on Steve (physio) so only 25% me! doing the same thing only a few months later i did it for 8 seconds - completely me!! the next time (only a week later) i stood alone for 2 1/2 minutes (this is by holding my weight through my arms, along with assistance from my legs!!) the next week (last Saturday) i stood for 4 1/2 minutes! if i can continue at this rate… i WILL WALK! this wont be as i was before and may well be with a frame (to start :P) but i AM going to do this! 3yrs ago i could only move my head..

i’ve also had more work done on my back