Patient Testimonial
I'm a two year old paraplegic. Most people look down on me probably because I'm only 4'4” tall these days. In a crowded room I have to look almost straight up at everyone. Being so short I can't easily reach things in even a moderately high shelf around the house and the upper cabinets are completely out of reach. That includes the cookies in the kitchen cabinets. Things I put on my garage shelves two years ago can't even be seen much less reached now. I can't get through many doors because they are just too narrow for a 26” wide wheelchair. Tall steps defeat me. I can't get into my relatives' home for dinner. Now, while I don't really consider myself handicapped I sure am highly inconvenienced by my inability to just stand up.
Dr. Hecht worked with me to stabilize and rehabilitate my left shoulder which had nerves damaged from a scapula broken in two places. He led the rehabilitation team that taught me everything about my paraplegia starting with how to roll over in bed. They even taught me the technique of righting my wheelchair when I accidentally fall over backwards. Right a wheelchair that is on its back – while you're still in the wheelchair yourself? I had no idea anyone could do such a thing. It sure surprised me! He tested, diagnosed and prescribed treatments for a whole variety of problems arising from the 60 foot fall that permanently robbed me of feeling and voluntary movement in my legs. All of that happened in the past two years.
Since then, Dr. Hecht has worked with me on a whole host of other problems that plague paraplegics. He takes the time to make certain that I know the details about my problems and their solutions. Spinal cord injuries require such specialized knowledge he has become almost my “primary” physician. He cares about his patients and understands that SCI rehab requires treating the entire person, not just the physical impairment. In fact, such an accident happens to the whole family. It is because of his care that I now enjoy good health. I have a good job. I can even drive.
But, perhaps best of all, today I can walk. I'm still a complete paraplegic. I have no feeling below my waist. I cannot voluntarily move the muscles in my legs, but I can walk. Dr. Hecht evaluated my health and decided that I could benefit by using reciprocating gait orthoses (RGO) leg braces. Today I can stand and walk using braces and a walker. I can reach items on the top shelves in the garage. I can visit my relatives in spite of my wheelchair being too wide for their door, which also has two steps up into their home. I can even look people in the eye at wedding receptions because I'm really 5'8” tall when I stand up. You have no idea how good that makes me feel.
I do have to admit though, Dr. Hecht is the direct cause of one problem. Now I can reach those cookies in the cupboard.
Dennis Clark Feb, 2003
The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine
Division of Surgical Rehabilitation
Department of Surgery
UT Graduate School of Medicine UT Medical Center
1932 Alcoa Highway, Suite 580
Knoxville, Tennessee 37920-6999
(865) 305-6333
Fax (865) 305-6364