Katie:

Please read this:

Web Link

There is this guy who also suffered a spinal cord injury and doctors gave him a not so good prognosis. He is walking again and opened a place (SCI-FIT). I saw one of those facilities by Valley and Stanley, it is by the Little Caesar's pizza on Bernal (Valley turns into Bernal when you pass Stanley)

Good luck, and please do not give up. Doctors don't know everything. I have lived with Multiple Sclerosis for 20 years and I am still walking, driving and everything despite the grim prognosis most neurologists gave me. People do not believe that I have MS and yet neurologists told me from day one that it was just a matter of time before... 20 years later I am living proof that doctors do not know everything and that alternative medicine/treatment can be better than the traditional approach.

Combine the good of the traditional treatment with what you can find that helps you of alternative medicine. But do not let the traditional doctors tell you there is no hope. If a doctor has a negative attitude, switch to one with a more positive one.

I have never been to SCI-FIT (I think they may have a new name now), and I am not affiliated with them (I am not promoting them here) - I just rememember reading the article. You may want to check them out, it can't hurt.

Good luck, I am confident that you will get better!

Sorry to hear of her ordeal.

This comment is not directed at her but I am making a general observation. I have a HS going kid too so this is from what I talked to her.

One of the things kids don't learn is basic science -- the one's that deal with basic forces and motion. How many seniors at HS know the 3 laws of motion?

I studied abroad and we learned the 3 laws while in 8th grade. Here Physics is an option.

I believe every kid even if they don't take math/engineering in college should go thru the basic things early.

Would love to hear feedback.

Sorry to hear about this story and how one seemingly minor mistake could result in such injuries. Yes, taking your eyes off the road to deal with something in the back seat is never a good idea. Not good in a residential neighborhood, and not safe to do on a freeway, either. A speed of 70 mph corresponds to a bit over 100 feet per second. Two seconds at that speed is 200 feet, or about 2/3's the distance across a 100-yard football field. That's quite a distance for a car to be traveling with no one watching the road.

If, while no one is watching, the steering wheel is misaligned even slightly so that the wheels are pointed just 1-degree off from the proper direction of the freeway, then the 70 mph car will drift sideways by about 3.5 feet in those 2 seconds. That will take the car mostly into the adjacent lane - or off the freeway if the car is in a far lane.

Bottom line: If you need to take care of something in the back seat on the freeway, pull over at the next reststop or exit and deal with it there.

I pray that your positive attitude helps you through this difficult time. Only you can determine how this unfortunate event will affect the rest of your life. Stay positive no matter how hard it gets.

Hugs from P-Town!

SCI-Fit is a great place. They only have one location, on Burnal. Dan, the owner, is a C-5 (meaning he damaged his fifth cervical vertebrae) incomplete, I believe. He walks with two canes.

The name means "Spinal Cord Injury – Functional Integrated Therapy." They work with people with both spinal cord injuries and neurological injuries.

Unfortunately, like you, I'm also an SCI. Because of that, I am affiliated with them.

With a good attitude, and a lot of work, there is a possibility of increased ability. Be ready for it.

Please take the time to read this young woman's story. Very inspiring.

Web Link

There are some things completely out of our control but if you remain positive good things can come out of it... this I know with every fiber of my being. I was paralyzed in a car accident when I was 14 traveling with my family. Life is a beautiful thing, the good and "bad." If you keep living amazing things happen.

www.wheelchairtraveling.com

We are sending love and prayers to you!

Katie, Prayers and hope for a recovery.

Physics Teacher, kids are no longer taught many of the basics thanks to No Child Left Behind. We do nothing but teach to the state test and no longer take enough time to teach kids what they need to succeed in life.

To Katie's family, I wish you strength and love to get you thru this sickening, scary time. I know this leaves you deeply scarred. No matter what led to this, you and Katie are in my prayers starting today. Life will get better...hang in there!

Thank you everyone for your kind comments. Thank you especially for the link to the other Pleasanton Weekly article of the gentleman who went to intensive rehab in San Diego. I had been considering going to Project Walk and after reading Dan Dumas' inspiring article, I am now even more interested. Thanks for all the love and support. It means a lot to me at this difficult time.

Katie,

We are thinking of you and praying for your recovery. My daughter graduated with you and asks how you are everytime I speak to her. You are being thought of and loved and so many healing prayers and thoughts of goodness and blessings are being sent to you.