As an airborne sergeant for the Army during the 1980s, Jose Lopez-Rivera’s obligations were to train young recruits just how to safely repel out of a helicopter.
Training involves an extensive and also 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 very first time repelling to the ground, you’re overcoming you very own anxieties.
Rivera aided many to safely conquer the task. What was to become his last as well as final obligation, ended with misfortune. After he saw his entire team repel to the ground, the helicopter momentarily rose to a dangerous elevation. Seconds later on, Rivera landed to the ground with life-altering injuries.
He shattered his left leg and also fractured his spine, and also some said that he may never ever reclaim use of his leg. It took six difficult months in a military rehab medical facility to walk again, however he was not able to return to duty. He received medical disability, which meant he couldn’t work.
As an award-winning soldier, he had many medals that offered him distinction. He was equally honored to follow in his father’s military career. When he came to recognize that he could not live out his life in the army because of injury, he looked to family members for assistance. His 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 and three kids and dedication to family is extremely important to him. Rivera ultimately transferred to Florida to bring support to his aging mother. Being a father and son brought him happiness as well as life went on.
Rivera’s life was to take another fall. Months earlier, he lost his left leg and it’s an injury that he does not like to talk about.
He once again needed to muster the grit of a soldier and also learn just how to walk once more. Even with all he’s been through, he says he really feels privileged to find rehabilitation much more rewarding than he thought possible.
Rivera recalls his previous rehab in the army and says that today’s methods are better. “I am not treated like a rank and serial number, I am being offered regard as well as self-respect,” he says.
” These specialists are here to support me and also to make certain that I am well prepared to get back on my feet,” says Rivera. He talks about being fitted with a temporary prosthesis and learning exactly how to walk on a specialized treadmill.
His Physical Therapist explains that Jose is using the AlterG treadmill for his rehabilitation. The AlterG is a device that can eliminate 80% of body weight and also give patients a much easier time with walking. The physical therapist says the treadmill is essential since it can make walking more comfortable, bring the patient self-confidence and speed the recuperation process.
Geoff Fraser says, our therapists report that before the AlterG, patients had to gain walking confidence while making use of the parallel bars. That learning procedure can be tedious for some patients. The AlterG gives them hope because they can get back to walking at a much faster speed than common treatment.
Using AlterG, “Patients can achieve a decreased demand for walking aids as well as boost their number of steps on our treadmill.”
” Right now, we’re simply making certain that Jose is happy with his outcomes, getting stronger and also adapting to his therapy.”
Rivera is making good progress as an inpatient and is anticipating accomplishing his goals and also home to his family.
” Our rehabilitation family is proud to get Jose where he wishes to be,” states Fraser.
Geoff Fraser is Partner at Clear Choice Health Care in Melbourne FL