In 2013, 17-year-old Matt S. experienced a fluke hockey play that sent him crashing awkwardly into the boards. The incident fractured his back and severed his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.
Not one to easily give up in the face of adversity, Matt and his family set to work touring rehabilitation clinics in the metro Detroit area to find the right one where he could focus on regaining strength, improving his overall health and living a normal life. After trying several other clinics, he found The Recovery Project.
At The Recovery Project, Matt’s therapists focus on high intensity exercises that help improve strength and range of motion. His therapy also includes use of a body-weight supported LiteGait treadmill, and cycling on the RT300 functional electrical stimulation machine. He also completes weight training using KAFO braces, which lock his knees to provide stability while exercising.
With the help of The Recovery Project, Matt continues to improve physically and mentally. As a student at Michigan State University, he lives independently and drives a car, and even plays golf several times a week with the assistance of an adaptive golf cart.
While Matt traditionally worked with The Recovery Project during school breaks and over the summer, the opening of the organization’s new Lansing clinic will give Matt better access to therapy services. This will allow him more flexibility to attend both classes and therapy, helping to keep him strong and healthy.
