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July 2, 2009 - Thursday

By Bud | July 2, 2009

July 2, 2009  -  Thursday
I know it has been three weeks since I sent an update. Yes we did return from the monsoons in Miami, FL safe and sound. I have been waiting to send an update after receiving the final report from the biofeedback center in Miami. As of today I still have not received but I will try and give you my interpretation of their verbal report.

 
Biofeedback is a process where the therapist place sensors at different locations on Peters body. As an example, they would place sensors on his ab muscles and then have him try a stomach crunch and the sensor will detect a nerve signal based on the intensity of the muscle contraction. That is my interpretation so if someone knows a better definition, let me know. They were attempting to get Peter to really concentrate on sending a brain signal to that one muscle. They are doing this while Peter is sitting or lying in front of a computer monitor that shows when there is muscle contraction.
 
So the findings. Peter’s injury is at the T9-T10 level. From T10 to T12, he had 40% signal. This is corresponding to what we are seeing with his ab strength and sensation he is feeling from regular electrical stimulation. From T12 to L4 they detected 20% signal. His hip flexors were 8%, quads and hamstrings were 4%, calf muscles were 0%. Any signal is good.
 
The Broecker Biofeedback center philosophy is that you determine where there is signal and then concentrate on working those muscles to build a stronger nerve signal and with more signal the muscle will redevelop with the concentrated therapy over time. Once these muscles start rebuilding, the signal will work it’s way down the legs.  Peter is now going to a personal trainer and back to regular therapy at St. Johns to concentrate on the exercises that the biofeedback center assigned to us.
 
While in Miami we also toured the Miami Project, top spinal cord research facility in the world,  thanks to our friend Scott Roy, of the Miami Project. We met with research doctors and we were very encouraged by the progress they are making. We also had lunch with Marc Buoniconti, president of the Miami Project. I encourage all of you to visit their website at www.themiamiproject.org  If you find it in your heart, I ask you to make a donation to the Miami Project, no matter how small, to help cure the devastation of spinal cord injuries. 
 
In Miami we went to a physical therapist, Robyn Smith, recommended to us by Scott Roy and the Miami Project. Robyn has 35 years of experience in physical therapy, mainly in spinal cord rehab.  He made some excellent recommendation’s to us and we are now also working on those recommendation’s.
 
Getting back home after two weeks in Miami was good and we were feeling really good about the results. But the following Monday, realization set in to Peter that he still had a long road ahead of him. It was a very tough Monday and Tuesday to say the least. Thanks to some good friends in Mark Jackson, Cooper Frederick, Wes Moody, Taylor Estes and his personal trainer, Will, therapist at St. John’s, Brad Potts and Janet Day, and minister, Doc Blevins, he is rebounding and ready again to keep working.
 
Tonight I ask you to continue your prayers for Peter, to give him mental strength, courage and for God to heal his body. I also ask you to pray for a dear friend of mine son in Denver. Byron Day son, Chris age 47, was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident Monday. Latest report from Byron is that he is moving all the important parts of his body, and there is alot of hope that he will recover fully over time.  
 
This is the weekend that crazy accidents happen. Please be careful, allow a little more time on your travels and don’t try stupid things with fireworks. Please be safe because I want all of you to be here to see that……………………………
 
He will walk again
Bud

Topics: Peter |

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