As an airborne sergeant for the Army throughout the 1980s, Jose Lopez-Rivera’s duties were to train young recruits just how to safely repel out of a helicopter.
Training entails a strenuous as well as 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 a mind-blowing experience. As you look down for the first time repelling to the ground, you’re overcoming you very own fears.
Rivera assisted many to safely overcome the task. What was to become his last and also final task, ended with tragedy. After he saw his entire staff repel to the ground, the helicopter briefly rose to an unsafe elevation. Seconds later on, Rivera landed to the ground with life-altering injuries.
He shattered his left leg and fractured his back, as well as some said that he could never regain use of his leg. It took 6 grueling months in a military rehab hospital to walk again, but he was not able 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 offered 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 armed forces because of injury, he relied on family members for support. His very own father built a whole career as a soldier and Rivera’s heritage was difficult to leave.
His saving grace was his wife and also 3 kids as well as commitment to family members is vital to him. Rivera ultimately relocated to Florida to bring assistance to his aging mother. Being a father and son brought him happiness and also life went on.
Rivera’s life was to take another fall. Months back, he lost his left leg and it’s an injury that he does not like to talk about.
He again had to muster up the grit of a soldier and also discover how to walk once more. Even with all he’s been through, he says he really feels fortunate to find rehabilitation much more gratifying than he thought possible.
Rivera recalls his previous rehabilitation in the military and says that today’s methods are far better. “I am not treated like a rank and serial number, I am being given respect and also dignity,” he says.
” These experts are here to support me and to ensure that I am well prepared to get back on my feet,” says Rivera. He talks about being fitted with a temporary prosthesis and learning 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 give patients a lot easier time with walking. The physical therapist says the treadmill is important because it can make walking more comfortable, bring the patient confidence and also speed the recovery process.
Geoff Fraser says, our therapists report that prior to the AlterG, patients needed to gain walking confidence while making use of the parallel bars. That learning process can be tedious for some patients. The AlterG gives them hope because they can get back to walking at a much faster speed than standard treatment.
Using AlterG, “Patients can accomplish a reduced need for walking aids as well as boost their number of steps on our treadmill.”
” Right now, we’re just making sure that Jose is happy with his outcomes, getting stronger and adjusting to his treatment.”
Rivera is making good progress as an inpatient and is anticipating accomplishing his goals as well as home to his family.
” Our rehabilitation family is proud to get Jose where he wishes to be,” says Fraser.
Geoff Fraser is Partner at Clear Choice Health Care in Melbourne FL
