As an airborne sergeant for the Army throughout the 1980s, Jose Lopez-Rivera’s obligations were to educate young recruits just how to securely repel out of a helicopter.
Training includes an extensive and also multi-phase process 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 anxieties.
Rivera helped many to safely conquer the task. What was to become his last and also final responsibility, finished with misfortune. After he saw his whole crew repel to the ground, the helicopter momentarily rose to an unsafe height. Seconds later, Rivera landed to the ground with life-altering injuries.
He shattered his left leg and fractured his back, and also some said that he may never ever regain use of his leg. It took six arduous months in a military rehab medical facility to walk once more, however he was unable to go back to duty. He received medical disability, which meant he couldn’t work.
As an award-winning soldier, he had several medals that gave him distinction. He was just as happy to adhere to in his father’s military career. When he came to recognize that he could not endure his life in the military as a result of injury, he resorted to family for assistance. His very own father built a whole career as a soldier and Rivera’s heritage was hard to leave.
His saving grace was his wife and three kids and also commitment to family members is vital to him. Rivera ultimately transferred to Florida to bring assistance to his aging mother. Being a father as well as son brought him happiness and life went on.
Rivera’s life was to take an additional fall. Months back, he lost his left leg and it’s an injury that he does not like to talk about.
He once again had to summon the grit of a soldier as well as discover how to walk once more. Even with all he’s been through, he says he feels privileged to find rehabilitation far more gratifying than he thought possible.
Rivera recalls his previous rehab in the army and says that today’s strategies are much better. “I am not treated like a rank and serial number, I am being given respect and self-respect,” he says.
” These specialists are here to support me and to guarantee 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 eliminate 80% of body weight as well as provide patients a much easier time with walking. The physical therapist says the treadmill is important since it can make walking more comfortable, bring the patient confidence as well as speed the healing process.
Geoff Fraser says, our therapists report that before the AlterG, patients had to gain walking self-confidence while using the parallel bars. That learning procedure can be tiresome for some patients. The AlterG provides hope because they can return to walking at a much faster rate than basic treatment.
Using AlterG, “Patients can accomplish a lowered requirement for walking aids and also boost their number of steps on our treadmill.”
” Right now, we’re simply making sure that Jose is happy with his results, getting stronger and adjusting to his treatment.”
Rivera is making good progress as an inpatient and is eagerly anticipating attaining his goals and also return 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
