|
ABOUT KEVIN
My name is Kevin Mullin. On October 6th, 2003, I was involved in a swimming accident and drowning. I had several X-rays and MRI’s by health care professionals who informed me I was rendered a C-5 quadriplegic. At the time of my injury, I was 24 years old, an active weight trainer, and an accomplished Scuba Diver. I attended a acute rehabilitation facility that did not necessarily rehabilitate me, but rather, wanted me to adapt to life in an electric wheelchair. After this brief stay, I was released and on my own to re-enter the community.
After many discussions with top medical researchers, my own physicians and family, I chose to be Drug Free from all prescription drugs. When I was in the hospital I was told that I would need them for the rest of my life. That was a lie! These top researchers and medical professionals started advising me after my release from the hospital. On 2/15/2005 I became 100% DRUG FREE. I chose to commit to my former lifestyle of exercise and nutrition rather than become a medicated quadriplegic who would deteriorate and atrophy. These top researchers and medical professionals insisted that I seek a program that would help me attain my goals. They informed me that the people who will benefit the most from research are the spinal cord injured individuals who are drug free and have kept themselves in the best physical condition. From that moment forward I chose to fight back against this injury and set out on a course of exercise and proper diet.
My family, best friend and I have looked into different places around the country that would give me an opportunity to be able to gain strength and functionality. We identified a strength training program which helped me build a positive mental attitude, a belief that the impossible is achievable and to never give up! On February 1, 2005 I started my training to help rebuild my body.
To keep up with strength training, I currently go to a private gym each morning at 5:00am to 7:00am. I work out with my brother and best friend using different equipment to help build upper strength, core trunk control and muscle to reinforce these strength training principles.
In June of 2005 I was advised by my team of top medical researchers and professionals to seek out a new program to attain my goals. They insisted and stressed the importance of working with a team of licensed physical therapists that specialize in spinal cord injuries and are committed to one on one training during every visit. These individuals wanted me to use State of the Art equipment so that I learn proper techniques, avoid possible injury and maximize my progress. The process to seek out a facilities with a well trained staff of licensed physical therapist for spinal cord injuries had begun!
On 7/1/2005 I was evaluated and accepted at a aggressive rehabilitation facility with licensed physical therapists. They are treating spinal cord individuals to gain maximum functionality in a proper and safe manner. For a quadriplegic it was advised that we start Aquatic Therapy to begin to learn the techniques and principles of Locomotor Gait Training. Aquatic Therapy is physical therapy done in a HydroWorx Pool. The effects of gravity are greatly reduced under water so that small body movements can be more easily detected and health-care professionals can determine the maximum ability to move without the full resistance of gravity. This is done by using weights and aerobic-type movements. This is a very safe environment for a quadriplegic to learn principles of Locomotor Gait Training and other therapeutic techniques and not suffer any serious injuries.
One of the difficulties in re-learning how to walk is the inability to see what your legs are doing while you are moving them. Hydroworx underwater cameras make it easy to watch and adjust movements in real time, which speeds the learning process. My physical therapist are using a unique Locomotor Gait Training method using this technology.
Benefits of Aquatic Therapy for Neurological Patients:
- Promotes functional mobility
- Improves balance and proprioception
- Promotes lumbar stabilization
- Improves gait training
- Helps to regain trunk balance, range of motion, strength and endurance
- Promotes ambulation, sitting and standing balance
- Encourages safety and confidence
After several pool sessions I moved to a "land based" Locomotor Gait Training system. The "land based" Locomotor Gait Training system is a harness that raises and lowers you and allows the therapist to control the amount of body weight to be placed on your legs when walking on a treadmill system. You start off with a small amount of body weight. As your body accepts the reciprocal patterning you continue to add more and more of your own body weight during this training.
My physical therapist and I set a training program to help me attain my stated goals. Sessions include Stretching (Range of Motion) exercises with a licensed physical therapist, learning functional living skills (such as proper transfer skills), riding the “FES Ergys 2 bicycle”, Aquatic Therapy, "Land Based" Locomotor Gait Training, Hand Cycling, Total Gym (for leg squats and hip flexor strength training) and The Versatrainer (weight/strength training). I am using an exercise approach that is based on the theory that patterned neural activity should and can stimulate the central nervous system to become more functional. I have physical therapy 5 days a week for 4 hours daily to accomplish the above mentioned training exercises and skills. All total I spend 6 to 8 hours a day fighting for my independence and the ability to walk again.
I invite you to sign up and register on my web site to follow my monthly video updates. These videos of my progress start on January 1, 2006 while I am at the this new rehabilitation facility. I have placed videos under the physical therapy section on the left hand side of the web site so you can learn about various training equipment I am using on a regular basis.
I want to thank each and every one of you for the prayers, acts of kindness and continued support which will always be the foundation of my success. There are so many people to thank for this opportunity that I would not know where to begin or end. I have witnessed and sometimes been told about different people that have helped, some that I know and some that I don’t know; each in their own way and each with a unique act of kindness.
How does one give thanks? The best way that I know of is to fight everyday while I am in Utah, gain my strength and my ability to walk again. At that point, I will come home to stand among all of you, my family, my friends and thank you in person!
I am forever grateful to all of you,
Kevin
|
