Level of Injury

Initially we were told that I broke my C4 and C5 vertebrae and  fractured my C1.  Doctors told me that the C1 would heal itself; therefore I did not need a halo and it was not repaired during my first surgery.  My first surgery was to repair the broken C4 and C5 by fusing them together.  I was also told that I would be vent-dependent and would only be able to shrug my shoulders.  About a month and a half later during a routine MRI it was discovered that the C1 had not repaired itself and I was put in a halo immediately.  A second surgery was performed to repair the broken C1 vertebra by fusing my C0 through C5 with a combination of a piece of my hip bone and metal rods. (I will post pictures of this soon.)  I can now breathe on my own, move my arms, and wiggle my toe on my left foot! For more information on paralysis click here.  If you want to read about my accident click here.

This is not my neck.