First Step PT is the home of the ‘Never Evers’. These are persons that have been told by the medical experts that they would never, ever…and they can and they are! The ‘Never Ever Boys’ were first featured in an article in the Patient Guide to Health and Fitness (Nov 2008).

The NEVER EVERS were born on September 5th, 2008 at the first annual Toga Trot. The article in The Patient Guide To Health And Fitness coined this very accurate term in the title of their article covering this race. The original reference is to the 4 young men diagnosed with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who were in the race, crossing the finish line. However, the NEVER EVERS encompass many, many other persons, with a wide variety of diagnoses, who were each told directly by their medical doctor that they would NEVER…EVER…and they ARE!

Toga Trot 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk – Presented by First Step PT

The first Peachtree City Toga Trot, sponsored by First Step PT, was held on September 6th 2008 and ended at the national headquarters of Phi Mu Fraternity, in Peachtree City. All monies from this fund raising event were split between the Atlanta Southern Crescent Allumnae Panhellenic Association (ASCAPA) Scholarship Fund and Rotary International’s Polio Plus Foundation (Rotary’s quest to eradicate polio world-wide). Over 100 local runners as well as many First Step clients participated in this fun and challenging event.

This year’s 2nd Annual Toga Trot, which is again presented by First Step PT, will be held on Halloween morning, October 31st, starting and ending at the beautiful Dolce Peachtree Atlanta Conference Center, in Peachtree City. In addition to the local running community and First Step PT clients, the race is now expanding to include teams of “Greeks” from many Georgia Colleges and Universities. Prizes will again be given to the “best togas” as well as the normal race awards. Post race refreshments will be provided by the world class Dolce Atlanta Peachtree’s kitchen. The race begins at 8:30 AM with festivities throughout the morning. For more information go to togatrot5k.com

The 2009 Toga Trot proves to be a truly exciting event. Here are a few of the NEVER EVERS that were in the race:
Wanda, diagnosed with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis could not walk due to extreme deformity and pain. With the continuing treatment at First Step PT, Wanda enjoys a full independent life, free from a wheelchair or any other assistive device, and will be walking the full 5K at this year’s Toga Trot.

Trevor, one of our original NEVER EVERS diagnosed with a closed head injury (CHI) and a complete T2 SCI, walked 10 meters with quad canes across the finish line in the 2010 Toga Trot.

Josh found out about First Step’s Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Program after hearing about the 2008 Toga Trot and the article on the NEVER EVER BOYS. Josh was fully in a wheelchair after having sustained a T6 complete SCI. Josh promptly began our SCI Recovery Program and has moved from Stage 6 (able to transfer) all the way to Stage 9 (able to take independent steps using a rolling walker). Josh walked across the finish line at the 2009 Toga Trot, 10 meters, downhill, with only the use of a rolling walker and rigid ankle and foot orthotics.

Natalie, with the diagnosis of C5 complete SCI will be walked in a gait trainer 130 meters in this years race.

Kelley, diagnosed with a C4 complete SCI self propelled her manual wheelchair, up and down the hills for the full ONE MILE during the 2009 race.

Cindy, diagnosed with a C3 complete SCI, has moved fully from her SIP AND PUFF, and self propelled her manual wheelchair (with power assist wheels) 10 meters across this finish line in 2009!

Toga Trot 200828 pictures

Toga Trot 200934 pictures

Cindy

(C3 SCI)

Cindy’s world was shattered in March of her 21st year. A car accidentally ran over her while she was sun bathing on her driveway. The series of surgeries and hospitalizations lead to a life of dependency, spasms and moving through the world in a Sip and Puff power wheelchair. Cindy’s amazing spirit pushed through as she never gave up hope. She continues a very active life, traveling, going to concerts, and even scuba diving.

Cindy discovered First Step’s Spinal Cord Recovery program over 3 years after her injury. She began at Stage 0, fully dependent, without the ability to even pull her shoulders down or back. Cindy has excitedly progressed through Stage 1 and into Stage 2. She has moved into a manual wheelchair with power wheels and propelled herself 10 meters at the 2009 Toga Trot race.

Cindy is working hard on developing her shoulder driver and looking forward to the anti-gravity skills that come with that. Next Stage is Stage 3, then 4, then 5, etc.!

Kelley

(C4 SCI)

Kelley’s life changed with a single diving accident. She was completely paralyzed from the neck down and was diagnosed with a C4 complete spinal cord injury. Kelley spent 3 weeks in the hospital, and then was transferred to in-patient rehab. Four months after her injury, Kelley returned home to continue schooling and traditional therapy.

Kelley learned about the huge changes that were possible with the combination of structural work and exercise. She visited First Step PT one year after her injury. Kelley decided to postpone her schooling in order to focus on her health and recovery. Kelley made the move to Atlanta 18 months after her injury and began intensive therapy at First Step’s spinal cord injury recovery program.

When Kelley first began the SCI recovery program she was at Stage 0, with no ability to keep her shoulders down, or back, or her arms by her side. She had absolutely no antigravity skills (Phase One). Kelley has worked very hard. With the combination of structural work, laser, neuromuscular and physiologic electrical stimulation, and a Stage directed exercise program, Kelley has progressed up to Stage 3 recovery. Her shoulder driver integrity has the ability to pull down, pull back, and keep her upper arms by her side. Kelley went from having absolutely no muscle strength in her triceps to grade 3 strength, the ability to straighten her arms against gravity.

Kelley can now long sit in a righted position without arm support or assistance of any kind. She is looking forward to moving out of Phase One recovery, into Phase Two gaining the structural integrity to move against gravity.

Colin

(C5 SCI)

Colin was injured in a diving accident and fractured his C1 and C4 vertebrae. Diagnosed with a C5 spinal cord injury, Colin spent only three days in ICU after his accident, followed by 7 weeks in rehab. In two months time he was home, and began traditional physical therapy. He later attended the day program at Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta, away from his home in North Carolina. Colin began his search for recovery and his journey eventually led him here to First Step PT. He began therapy with us in Fayetteville 32 months after his injury. Colin began at Stage 1 recovery, with the ability to keep his shoulder blades down, but had severe scapular winging and tipping, no triceps and no antigravity skills.

Currently, Colin participates in our SCI Recovery Program twice a week and Shepherd’s Beyond Therapy program three times a week, and makes routine visits about every six weeks to his spiritual and energy healer in Austin, Texas. Colin will soon move out of Phase One recovery, coordinating his diagonals and shoulder drivers to move against gravity (Phase Two recovery). Colin is a patchwork of strength and sensation with portions of Stages 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Colin is bench pressing 15 pounds, long sitting with stand-by assistance, and is beginning to assist with stand pivot transfers. He no longer spends time in his power chair, and wheels himself everywhere with power assist wheels on his wheelchair.

Colin is sharing his experiences through this journey of healing on the web at www.colinsodyssey.com. Colin believes that one of the most important aspects of living a successful life is to know what you want deep down inside, and commit 100% to achieving your goal. It is his whole hearted belief and commitment that are helping him to achieve his goals for recovery.

Natalie

(C5 SCI)

Natalie is a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. At work, an unsecured weight machine fell on her, breaking her neck. She was diagnosed with a C5 spinal cord injury. Natalie also had a previous skiing accident that resulted in wrist fracture and loss of her right kidney, and a cheerleading ‘dead drop’ resulting in a fracture of her opposite wrist and her tailbone.

After her SCI, she spent over four years in out-patient physical therapy, suffering with severe neck pain, blood pressure spikes, night anxiety, and absolutely no antigravity abilities. Then Natalie excitedly found out about First Step PT’s spinal cord injury recovery program. Living out of a hotel, Natalie began her recovery program 3 days per week, in Phase One (no antigravity skills), at Stage 0 (no ability to stabilize her scapula down or in).

In just 6 short months, Natalie has gained strength and control in her shoulder driver, moving into Stage 3. Her neck pain is almost gone, blood pressure is under control without medication, and she can long sit with standby assistance. Natalie is looking forward to progressing into Phase Two moving up against gravity.

Khambrel

(C5 SCI)

Khambrel was injured from a fall from a top bunk bed. Awakened from the fall, he calmly bellowed for help. Unsure of what had happened, he was thankful when shock took over before he realized his predicament. The second time he awoke, he was in the care of medical professionals, and had lost eight days. He was diagnosed with a C5-C6 complete spinal cord injury at age 33. He had gone from being an active thirty-something male to a near corpse. That pain was something morphine could not touch. With the help of a solid friend, Amber, Khambrel began to make the necessary life adjustments, and begin the healing process. Having been a 17 year veteran of street skate boarding he sought exercise in whatever form he was capable of getting, both walking and weight-lifting. He also looked for ways to resume normalcy with his painting and reading.

Khambrel began therapy with First Step PT one year after his injury. He started in Phase One having no antigravity skills. He began in Stage 2 with full ability to keep his shoulders down and with only moderate scapular winging. He also began with both wrists fully dislocated with significant pain.

With joint stability improving, along with his core and upper body strength, Khambrel progressed through Phase Two recovery into Stage 6. At this stage of recovery, Khambrel is able to move independently from supine to sitting, transfers independently wheelchair to table (and reverse), and propels a manual chair (with power wheels). He feels he has been working on body and spirit over the last few years, and is grateful for where the journey has brought him thus far.

Tom

(C6 SCI)

Driving on I-85 near the Atlanta airport, Tom’s car hit a patch of ice and crashed head-on into the divider wall. Tom’s life changed dramatically. His neck sustained a severe whiplash, making him a C6 quadriplegic. After neck surgery and intensive care at Grady Memorial Hospital, he was moved to Shepherd Spinal Center, where he spent the next three months recuperating and learning to live with his injury. While eating lunch in the Shepherd cafeteria one day, he and his wife, Michele, overheard several therapists discussing a place where alternative therapies for spinal cord injuries were available. One therapist asked, “Where?” – The answer, “Fayetteville”, then again the question “Where?” – The answer, “FAYETTEVILLE!!” Since Tom and Michele live in Fayetteville, Michele headed over to their table to ask what they were talking about that was in Fayetteville. And that is how they discovered First Step PT.

Tom began his SCI Recovery program at First Step 17 months after his injury. Beginning in Phase One with no antigravity skills, and specifically in Stage 2 recovery, Tom was able to keep his shoulder blades down, with moderate winging. Tom began with minimal triceps on his left (grade 1 strength) and no triceps on his right, and required a hoyer lift to transfer.

Participating two full days per week with the progressive eight component program at First Step PT, Tom began gaining antigravity skills. Tom has progressed into Phase Two and specifically into Stage 5 recovery. He can bench press 60 pounds, move from supine to sitting, and transfer with a sliding board and minimal assistance.

Tom is currently obtaining custom rigid ankle foot orthoses to further his walking program. Tom has already been able to walk in a gait trainer 120 feet, with flexible ankle foot orthoses, knee immobilizers, forearm supports and moderate assistance. He is also pursuing power assist wheels to begin the transition away from his power wheelchair to a manual chair.

Tom travels a mere 7 minutes to get here for his therapy twice a week. He and Michele consider First Step PT to be an answer to some of the many prayers offered on his behalf since his injury.

Trevor

(T2 SCI)

At age 19, Trevor was injured in a high speed motorcycle accident, wearing no shirt and no helmet, he flew into a pole. He was diagnosed with a T2 spinal cord injury, a subarachnoid hemorrhage of his brain, and a major road rash to his back and the right side of his face. It took two weeks for him to be considered stable enough to move to a different hospital for spinal surgery. Trevor was told that he would spend the rest of his life in a power wheelchair, having no trunk stability for pushing a manual wheelchair. In an instant this dare devil’s lifestyle was completely changed.

When Trevor was finally released to rehabilitation, it was discovered that his left wrist was broken. Trevor had to return to the hospital for another surgery, and then go back to in-patient rehabilitation. Once home, Trevor began out-patient physical therapy 3 times per week.

Two years after his initial injury, Trevor discovered IMT and began attending intensives. After seeing the difference an IMT intensive week could make, Trevor began traveling to Atlanta 3 to 4 times per year. He began at Stage 6 spinal cord injury recovery, with full ability to transfer himself, but unable to sit without arm support. After one year of intermittent IMT, Trevor began locking his hips in standing (Stage 7), then in another year he moved into Stage 8 with the locking of his knees!

Phase Four (moving away from the wheelchair, into fulltime with a rolling walker) began in his third year traveling down to Atlanta. Trevor began taking his first steps using a rolling walker and rigid ankle foot orthoses and walked 10 meters, across the finish line in the Peachtree City Toga Trot in 2008 and 100 meters in the 2009 Toga Trot. He recently was able to walk 10 meters with quad canes and rigid ankle foot orthoses in the 2010 Toga Trot. Four years after beginning intermittent IMT at First Step PT, Trevor has earned his Bachelor Degree and is focused on progressing into Stage 10 household walking and then onto Stage 11 community walking!

Joshua

(T6 SCI)

Joshua’s life changed in the blink of an eye when he fell off a balcony and sustained a T6 spinal cord injury. He had repeated surgeries for the next five months to debride a large wound in his left buttocks area. Finally, with all gluteal muscle mass gone, the left buttocks was covered with a skin graft. His next 3 ½ years Josh suffered from chronic urinary tract infections and pain in both wrists and abdominal spasm and pain.

After reading the article about the NEVER EVER BOYS walking in the Toga Trot, Joshua began his Spinal Cord Recovery Program at First Step PT three and a half years following his SCI. Josh began this program at Stage 6 with full ability to transfer independently, but did not have the core strength to sit without arm support.

Joshua has progressed beautifully into Stage 9 abilities and just stood and took his first independent steps using a rolling walker and rigid AFOs exactly four years after his injury. Stage 10 household walking 30 feet and turning and sitting independently is just around the corner for Joshua!

Tremaine

(T6 SCI)

Tremaine was injured in a motorcycle accident when a driver careened directly into his bike while making a turn. He was diagnosed with a T6 Complete Spinal Cord Injury. He also suffered a tear in his aorta. His parents were told to make funeral plans. They requested that he be transferred to another hospital. At the next hospital, they determined his internal bleeding had stopped, but they put a stint in his heart to support the torn aorta. His stay there lasted about a month. From there he went to a rehabilitation hospital. Finally, Tremaine was home three months after his accident. He continued physical therapy as an out-patient. Then one day searching the internet, he found information on IMT and began making plans to come to Atlanta. First, however, he had to survive Hurricane Katrina.

Tremaine was evaluated at First Step PT one year after his injury, wearing a TLSO back brace full time. Without this extensive brace, Tremaine did not have the core strength to sit independently. He has progressed beautifully into Stage 9 abilities and just stood and walked 30 feet at his wedding using a rolling walker and AFO’s. Stage 10 household walking is just around the corner for Tremaine! Through the course of this journey, Tremaine was able to return to school and get his BS in Computer Science, and still coaches his youth fly football and basketball teams.

Dawn

(T6 SCI)

Dawn was injured on April 15, 2006 from a motorcycle accident, and diagnosed with a T6 complete Spinal Cord Injury. She also sustained a C5 vertebral fracture, right scapula fracture, six rib fractures, and a left tibia fracture. In addition to this catastrophic injury, Dawn has also been dealing with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis affecting all joints of her body.

Dawn began her SCI Recovery Program at Stage 4, able to prop up in prone, but unable to get to sitting or transfer. Her pain level from the multiple trauma on top of the pain, swelling and inflammation from Rheumatoid was intense.

She has progressed significantly managing her Rheumatoid at a level she has never achieved before, with her bouts of Rheumatoid occurring less and lasting only hours (instead of days/weeks). Dawn has now recovered to Stage 6, not only being able to move her body up against gravity and get to sitting by herself, she can now transfer herself independently, when the surfaces are similar heights.

Dawn is now working into the next exciting Stage 7 activities of supported standing.

Dawn says “STANDING FEELS WONDERFUL!”.

Amador

(T12 SCI)

I was electrocuted and fell 20 feet while working as a tree surgeon, October 2003. Along with burning all of my nerves, I dislocated my left shoulder and burst my T12 vertebra. I was diagnosed as an ASIA A with no sensation or movement from my waist down. I also had headaches, indigestion, with severe bowel problems and sexual function problems. I worked at Shepherd Spinal Center for one year and got a lot stronger in my upper body, but I was told by everyone that there was no hope for me to ever have use of my lower body again.

Then I went to First Step PT and found more than hope. I began at Stage 6 with ability to sit and transfer only. They worked on my back, nerves and arteries. Within a few months I could feel my legs and began standing (Stage 7, then 8)! One year after beginning the Spinal Cord Recovery Program at First Step PT I took my first steps (Stage 9) using flexible ankle foot orthoses and with a rolling walker. Now I have progressed all the way to Stage 16! I can walk everywhere either with my walker or holding onto to someone’s hand or touching the furniture. I can drive without hand controls! I really believe in IMT and I am very grateful.

Ron

(L1 SCI)

My name is Ron and at 53 years of age, while jogging, I was hit by a car and received an L1 incomplete spinal injury. I was in intensive and acute hospital care for about one week and in an acute rehab facility for 3 weeks. I then went to a “traditional” facility on an outpatient basis for 4 months before starting therapy at First Step PT.

My experience has been that most therapy centers and Physical Therapists work from the same model. Simply stated that model is “we will work with you to maximize the use of what muscle control and sensation spontaneously returns to you”. Generally that means they will work with you to adapt your life around your disability (in other words “this is the way you are going to be, so get used to it).

The model that the people at First Step PT work from is completely different. It is one that says that your body wants to recover and heal and given the proper environment and conditions it will. They apply a range of different techniques considering the body as a whole. They also have a continuous optimistic attitude and offer realistic hope, which is very motivating. I do not understand the intricacies of what they do in many cases, but I know that it does bring about improvements.

I have been receiving therapy at First Step PT for 4 months. I am also continuing with physical (exercise) therapy at a facility near my home and have a home exercise program. What impressed me from the beginning was that they (the IMT staff) identified and paid attention to items of injury and areas of my body that no other doctor or therapist paid any attention to. Working on these areas has contributed to my improvement.

I have had significant gains during the time I have been going to First Step PT. After the second month I gained bladder sensation. I have also gained sensation in several muscle areas. The strength in my legs continues to improve and now I have considerably improved gait when I am walking in a walker. I still spend most of my time in a wheelchair, although I am working to extend the time I spend out of it. I have full expectation of retiring the wheelchair and progressing through to complete recovery. While I don’t understand the mechanism of a lot of their therapy, I base my expectation on documented cases and the history of the patients I have met at First Step.

While some of the improvements that I have had would certainly have happened without IMT therapy, I am convinced that I have progressed farther and faster than I would have without it.

Ron began First Step PT’s SCI Recovery at Stage 7 with the beginning ability to stand with a walker, but spending 100% of his daily life in a wheelchair. Ron has moved fully out of his wheelchair walking everywhere with a rolling walker. He has progressed to Stage 13 walking up to 100 meters on level surfaces with quad canes!

Robbie

(T12 SCI)

Robbie’s life changed in the blink of an eye when he fell down a flight of stairs and sustained a T12 spinal cord injury. He had surgeries for removing his left 12th rib and to stabilize and fixate his spine. His full paralysis from the lower ribs down was compounded by excruciating pain in his back and left side and pelvis.

Soon after being told he would never stand or walk again, Robbie found his way to the Spinal Cord Recovery Program at First Step PT. Robbie began the program at Stage 5, requiring assistance to transfer and could not sit up without the use of his arms.

Robbie has progressed into Stage 7 abilities. He can sit up straight without arm support and can now stand and independently lock his hips with a walker, wearing ankle foot orthoses. Robbie can walk 120 feet in a Gait Trainer with bilateral knee immobilizers and the use of his ankle foot orthoses.

Robbie will be beginning graduate school soon and is looking at progressing to Stage 8 ability to lock his own knees. When he reaches this stage, Robbie will be taking home his rolling walker to practice independent standing and weight shifting as part of his home program.