In many cases, spinal cord injuries are something a person must deal with his or her entire life. This disabling injury can leave a person unable to lose some or nearly all motor function, which is undoubtedly life changing. One Pennsylvania man, however, has beaten the odds, and his recovery from a serious spinal injury has become an inspiration.
The Pennsylvania man, who enjoyed being active, was biking in September 2012, when he suddenly ran over some debris and was thrown from his bike. It didn't take him long to realize that something was seriously wrong when he was unable to use both legs. Less than a year later, he is able to run 10 miles.
Immediately after being injured, the man went into surgery to have two vertebrae fused together. The man had lost all sensation in his legs within a day of the accident, but his injured spinal cord healed remarkably after the operation.
This man's story is a reminder of how suddenly a disability can strike. In this case, the man went from being able to perform intense physical activity to worrying about permanent paralysis in a matter of seconds. Social Security Disability benefits can help people in this situation reclaim a sense of stability.
Some people may need to stay on SSD benefits for many years as the result of a permanent disability. On the other hand, some people may be unable to work for a year or two, but rehabilitation or treatment is enough to help them return to a sense of normalcy. Whatever the case, SSDI may be available to provide support at the time it's needed most.
Source: Philly.com, "Believing in a way back: Returning to running after a spinal cord injury," Julie Cote, June 20, 2013
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