As an airborne sergeant for the Army throughout the 1980s, Jose Lopez-Rivera’s obligations were to train young recruits exactly how to safely repel out of a helicopter.
Training entails a strenuous as well as multi-phase procedure for those that 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 dominating you own fears.
Rivera aided many to safely overcome the task. What was to become his last and final responsibility, ended with misfortune. After he saw his entire team repel to the ground, the helicopter briefly rose to a hazardous height. Seconds later on, Rivera landed to the ground with life-altering injuries.
He shattered his left leg and also fractured his spine, and some stated that he could never gain back use of his leg. It took 6 arduous months in a military rehab medical facility to walk once more, but he was unable to return to duty. He received medical disability, which meant he couldn’t work.
As an award-winning soldier, he had numerous medals that offered him distinction. He was similarly happy to follow in his father’s military career. When he came to recognize that he couldn’t endure his life in the army as a result of injury, he turned to family for assistance. His very own father built an entire career as a soldier and also Rivera’s heritage was difficult to leave.
His saving grace was his wife and also three children and also dedication to family members is vital to him. Rivera ultimately relocated to Florida to bring assistance to his aging mother. Being a father and also son brought him joy and also life went on.
Rivera’s life was to take one more fall. Months ago, he lost his left leg and it’s an injury that he does not like to discuss.
He again had to muster up the grit of a soldier as well as find out exactly how to walk once again. Even with all he’s been through, he says he feels lucky to find rehabilitation a lot more satisfying than he thought possible.
Rivera remembers his previous rehab in the military and says that today’s techniques are far better. “I am not treated like a rank and serial number, I am being offered regard as well as dignity,” he says.
” These experts are here to support me and to make sure that I am well prepared to get back on my feet,” says Rivera. He talks about being fitted with a temporary prosthesis and learning how to walk on a specialized treadmill.
His Physical Therapist explains that Jose is making use of the AlterG treadmill for his rehabilitation. The AlterG is a device that can remove 80% of body weight and also offer patients a much easier time with walking. The physical therapist says the treadmill is very important because it can make walking more comfortable, bring the patient confidence and speed up the healing process.
Geoff Fraser says, our therapists report that before the AlterG, patients needed to gain walking self-confidence while making use of the parallel bars. That learning process can be tedious for some patients. The AlterG gives them hope because they can get back to walking at a much faster speed than conventional treatment.
Using AlterG, “Patients can achieve a decreased demand for walking aids as well as enhance their number of steps on our treadmill.”
” Right now, we’re simply making sure that Jose is happy with his results, getting more powerful as well as adjusting to his treatment.”
Rivera is making great progress as an inpatient and is looking forward to accomplishing his goals as well as return home to his family.
” Our rehab family is proud to get Jose where he wishes to be,” states Fraser.