CLIENTS SERVED
People with Spinal Cord injuries are real people like you and me. Prior to having a Spinal Cord injury they were all fully functioning members of society. They had dreams, they had aspirations, and they anticipated living a life of quality and dignity. Now, not only have their Spinal Cords been injured, but their quality of life has been severely injured and their dignity is challenged daily. Problems created by these injuries are compounded by the inability to maintain an income, enormous medical bills, the loss of mobility, and overwhelming psychological stress. Words cannot describe the trauma and depression brought on by these injuries. Northwest Arkansas, consisting of Benton, Washington, Carrol and Madison counties, currently has over 189 potential clients with Spinal Cord Injuries. The state of Arkansas has more than 2500, and an average of about 250 new spinal cord injuries Christopher Reeve really got the ball rolling on “Simulative Therapy”. During his recovery, he recovered 20% of his motor functions and 70% of his sensory functions. We know that muscle stimulation with activity based therapy works. This therapy is becoming more widely used and is in use at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore Md. as part of the Johns Hopkins University. At this time there are only about 20 clinics Due to the lack of facilities providing specialized therapy in the central part of the U.S., we expect to draw clients from a multi-state area, but this grant will be used for our Arkansas clients. Our experience shows that people are so desperate for this help in overcoming the paralysis that they will even move to be close to the right kind of therapy.
WHAT WE DO FOR OUR CLIENTS
Therapy is administered on an individual basis specific to the level of injury and specific to the needs of each client. The overall goal is to enhance their quality of life, realizing not all clients will walk again. A young friend, Jennifer Thomas in Brady, Texas was paralyzed in an automobile accident at age 18, received this type therapy at Project Walk and is walking today with a slight limp. Jenny is the inspiration for our starting the clinic. Coming to therapy provides a time for getting out of the house and having interaction with those having similar concerns, needs, and hope. Often times a person hit with a debilitating injury feels outcast and inadequate, and are reluctant to expose themselves to
scrutiny from an often inconsiderate and unknowing public, but at Victory Walk we make We realize the need for taking care of the caregiver. Many positions of caregiver are 24-7. Therefore we are concerned with the wellbeing of the caregiver since their health, attitude, and morale has a significant and dramatic affect on the client. A couple of hours at the clinic for the client give the caregiver a small but appreciated break.
Success in our organization and the client’s rehabilitation greatly depends on instilling and maintaining HOPE of positive results. Therapists, office personnel, assistants and other volunteers are intent developing friendships and maintaining the morale of the client and each other.