14241 SW 120 ST Suite #107
Miami, FL 33186
Miami, FL 33186
“What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve.”
This is the story of the 58-year-old Ted Reddick, who battled paralysis caused by transverse myelitis and is now a proud conqueror of the bike trail of Mont Ventoux made famous by one of, if not the biggest cycling event in the world, Tour de France.
Reddick is living proof that a positive mindset despite adversity can take you farther than you can imagine. But a positive mindset is just one half of the equation. The other half is made up of a good combination of proper recovery and care and a lot of hard work with the help of a neurological recovery center in Miami.
In 2018, Reddick and his partner were on a holiday trip in Japan when he felt a sharp and sudden pain in his neck. Initially, he and his partner thought it was related to a trapped nerve until his pain worsened. He then lost strength in his limbs and found it difficult to get himself out of bed, so he was rushed to a hospital, and by day end, he was already paralyzed from the neck down.
After doing various scans, the doctors diagnosed Reddick with an extremely rare neurological disorder called transverse myelitis, leaving him in disbelief.
Transverse myelitis is an inflammation of the spinal cord. Our spinal cord is responsible for sending impulses from the brain to the different nerves in the body, making it an essential part of our central nervous system. The spine is the same bridgeway that carries all sensory information back to the brain.
The exact cause of transverse myelitis remains unknown in many cases. But there are several infections affecting the spinal cord, and other health conditions appear to contribute to the development of transverse myelitis, such as:
This condition may happen suddenly starting from your lower back and can develop over several hours, reaching its severe state rather quickly, usually in just 24-48 hours. But the onset of symptoms may develop over several days, weeks, or months, which include:
When he received his diagnosis, Reddick uttered these words in disbelief. It was indeed a piece of disheartening news to receive while on a holiday trip, also because he has been physically active for most of his adult life. He was once a professional road cyclist from the 1980s to the 90s.
We believe that he is not the only one who thinks this way. The same question has undoubtedly gone through the minds of those who are suffering from any illness. Some days you will wonder why things happen; some may have an apparent reason, some may remain unknown, but one of the most important things you can do is not give up on yourself and not lose hope.
Transverse myelitis can affect people of any age, gender, or race, and it is not a genetic condition. People as young as ten years old have been diagnosed with the condition. Some people recover with minor or no continuing problems, but the recovery process can take months to years. The key takeaway is that there is hope because recovery is possible.
Some people diagnosed with this condition may have a recurrence, especially if another underlying illness causes the disorder. Fortunately, every neurological recovery center in Miami offers rehabilitation care and therapy to help prevent or reduce permanent neurological deficits.
One integral part of the recovery and treatment of transverse myelitis patients is rehabilitation. In an interview, Ted Reddick shared that he was once unable to walk and lost a considerable amount of upper body strength and mobility; but thanks to neuro rehab and physical activities, he was able to raise his arms above his head eventually.
iAM ABLE Fitness is a well-established neurological recovery center in Miami specializing in helping paralysis survivors from many causes, including transverse myelitis using activity-based therapy.
You can be the next Ted Reddick who will power through the challenges brought by transverse myelitis. Whether it’s conquering the mountain, swimming in the sea, joining the next ironman, teaching your kid how to ride a bike, or being able to live normally again, there is hope.
At iAM ABLE Fitness, we provide a wide variety of activity-based therapy designed to fill the gap between traditional treatment and your maximum potential. We will work closely with you to ensure you have an efficient routine to maximize your movements. Call us at 305-283-9717, and we can prepare a mild or intense exercise-based regimen that best fits your needs and will align with your goals.
“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”
There are good days, and some will be tougher than others; there may be days when you will cry. But the most important thing is that you do not give up. There will always be hope, and the best source of that is from within.
Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.
