Question
We are all devastated here. My soon to be son in law was skiing in Lake Tahoe on Feb 8th and hit a snow making machine. He is 22. He was airlifted and had two 6 hour surgeries. It is confirmed he is a parapalegic from the nipples down. I am pleased he has use of his arms. He will be airlifted tomorrow to Vallejo closer to us for his rehab. We live in Rohnert Park California. What I am looking for is a site that can send me pamphlets or information on his injuries so he can read them and also for my daughter who is 21. They have a long road ahead of them. I want info on applying for SSI for him and handicapable apartments, and anything else I need to know. Thanks. I am at a loss as to what to do next. Right now we are concentrating on support for them and ourselves.
Linda

Answer
Hi Linda,
Thanks so much for your questions.

I am very sorry to hear about this. My injury happened when I was 19 in 1977. Try these 2 sites...

www.spinalcord.org
www.spinalcord.uab.edu

I'm not sure how close you are to Palmdale, CA but there is rehab called the Judith Walker Institute. They employ a rigorous physical therapy routine on an outpatient basis. They also use IV nerve growth enhancing drug called Sygen and have achieved remarkable results. The only drawback is they are extremely expensive.

When checking into getting him SSI, also check into Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI.

I know your daughter is going through a lot of emotions right now but she needs to remember that he is still the same man she fell in love with. I found an old girlfriend after 25 years of searching for her and she looks past the fact that I am paralyzed from my shoulders down. We have been back together for 18 months and we are planning to marry soon.

I understand this is a difficult and trying time for your family, so if you have more any more questions or want more info, PLEASE ASK ME ANYTIME. I would like to help you any way I can.

Take care,
John McKinzie