Reeve Foundation Paralysis Community

I wrote this on the way back from the hospital as a way to express how I felt. The rest of my family seemed to be either in denial or just seemed to have so much more hope than me. I am devastated!
Here is my poem.

It's not supposed to happen this way. It can't be real!
He's always been stronger, faster and more agile than me.
He could jump off roofs, climb buildings, walk a tight rope and dive from the highest board. He could hit a tennis ball at lightning speeds and serve a ping pong ball so fast it made my head spin.
He could run faster, swim faster and shoot a basket from what seemed like hundred feet.
He could dance like a master with his perfect spins and amazing dips."Boy we had fun!"
Together, we sure got in alot of trouble but we always had each others back.
Together, he became an M.D. I became a D.D.S.
We got married, had kids, got busy and went our separate ways. I always felt our bond could not be broken!
He helped me become every bit of the woman I am today.
Three days ago I was awoken to the horror of learning there had been an accident.
My brother! My rock! My partner!
He may never run or swim or even be able to do the small everyday functions we take for granted everyday!
How could this happen?!
I feel sorrow so deep! I could never imagine this thought, this pain!
I want him to beat me again, at just about everything!
It cant be real!!!!!!!!


My beloved brother Dr. Raul Edward Montejo is a practicing Neourologist specializing in rehabilitative neourology and head trauma in the area of Ft. Pierce Florida for the last 20 years. He is known for his charitable heart and immense knowledge and abilities in his field. He was until recently the director of the rehab center there. He has a wonderful wife and four beautiful teenage daughters.
The devastating news last sunday October 25,2009 of his car accident has our family in disbelief and shock. We are all bound together in prayers and hope. He suffered a severe spinal cord injury at level t10 that has left him paralyzed at the waist.
He has been transfered to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Once stable he will be transfered to the Miami Project Cure for Paralysis Center.
We have been in contact with the Geron Corporation about there human trials using stem cell therapy to induce the growth of myelin by injecting oligodendrites into the site of the injury. They explained the trial has been put on hold for now.
I would like anyone who knows any information on the FDA approved stem cell trials or reasearch to contact me.

Dania

It was a beautiful tribute poem.  I am not a doctor but I know that it is so early that you do not know what the level of scarring will be and/or permanent damage.  He may be able to still do a few, some or many of those things in your poem.  Some he may be able to do the same as before and others differently with assistive technology.  If  T10 is the highest level of damage, he should likely have use of his arms and hands.  Ultimately he will still love, laugh, and have a good quality of life.  I think that is what we want for all people.  Taking him to Miami Project is a very good choice.  They are a model center and have access to so much more.  I have toured the facility myself and meet with a few of the staff. 

Here are some useful links about clinical trials/stem cell research:

www.ClinicalTrials.gov

www.centerwatch.com  

http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=21777

http://apps.who.int/trialsearch

http://www.stemcellresearchnews.com/

http://www.isscr.org/

http://www.iascr.org/

http://stemcells.nih.gov/

 

Good luck.  Feel free to come back with more questions.  As a community we are here to support each other.