As an airborne sergeant for the Army during the 1980s, Jose Lopez-Rivera’s obligations were to educate young recruits exactly how to safely repel out of a helicopter.
Training entails a strenuous as well as multi-phase procedure for those that are not faint of heart. For many that stand in the open door of an in-flight helicopter, it’s an eye-opening experience. As you look down for the first time repelling to the ground, you’re conquering you very own anxieties.
Rivera helped many to safely conquer the task. What was to become his last as well as final responsibility, ended with tragedy. After he saw his whole staff repel to the ground, the helicopter briefly rose to a dangerous elevation. Seconds later on, Rivera landed to the ground with life-altering injuries.
He smashed his left leg and fractured his back, as well as some claimed that he could never ever gain back use his leg. It took six grueling months in an army rehab hospital to walk again, however he was not able to go back to duty. He received medical disability, which meant he could not work.
As an award-winning soldier, he had lots of medals that offered him distinction. He was just as pleased to comply with in his father’s military career. When he came to understand that he could not live out his life in the armed forces as a result of injury, he resorted to family for assistance. His very own father built a whole career as a soldier as well as Rivera’s heritage was difficult to leave.
His saving grace was his wife as well as three kids as well as commitment to family members is paramount to him. Rivera eventually relocated to Florida to bring support to his aging mother. Being a father as well as son brought him joy and also life went on.
Rivera’s life was to take one more fall. Months back, he lost his left leg and it’s an injury that he does not like to discuss.
He again needed to muster up the grit of a soldier and learn just how to walk once more. Despite all he’s been through, he says he feels privileged to find rehabilitation much more gratifying than he thought possible.
Rivera remembers his previous rehabilitation in the army and says that today’s techniques are far better. “I am not treated like a rank and serial number, I am being offered respect as well as self-respect,” he says.
” These specialists are here to support me and also to make sure 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 utilizing the AlterG treadmill for his rehabilitation. The AlterG is a device that can remove 80% of body weight as well as provide patients a lot easier time with walking. The physical therapist says the treadmill is important due to the fact that it can make walking more comfortable, bring the patient confidence and also speed the recovery process.
Geoff Fraser says, our therapists report that before the AlterG, patients needed to gain walking confidence while using the parallel bars. That learning procedure can be tiresome for some patients. The AlterG gives them hope because they can get back to walking at a much faster rate than conventional treatment.
Using AlterG, “Patients can achieve a reduced demand for walking aids and also increase their number of steps on our treadmill.”
” Right now, we’re simply ensuring that Jose is happy with his results, getting more powerful and also adapting to his treatment.”
Rivera is making great progress as an inpatient and is eagerly anticipating attaining his goals as well as home to his family.
” Our rehab family is proud to get Jose where he wants to be,” says Fraser.
Geoff Fraser is Partner at Clear Choice Health Care in Melbourne FL
