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Pasco gymnast working hard to regain her life
Physical therapist April Perryman puts Sam Slusak through her paces. Slusak was paralyzed from a gymnastics injury three years ago.
Whether it be continuous and rigid physical therapy or worldwide travel for medical treatment, Slusak is working hard to move again.
The 19-year-old suffered a gymnastic injury three years ago that left her with almost no movement below her neck.
But with intense physical therapy and recent stem cell treatment in Germany, Slusak has regained a small amount of movement below her neck.
"They took the bone marrow out of my hip,' said Slusak, who had to travel overseas for the procedure not allowed in the United States. "(They) took the stem cells from there and injected it back into my spine its supposed to take up to six months to see results."
Slusak now breathes without the ventilator she use to rely on, has movement in her shoulders and back and believes the stem cells and therapy have made a difference. Also, she uses an electric stimulator to help her move her hand and a therapy bicycle to force her limbs to move.
"So far my breathing is easier, my body temperature is better and I feel stronger," Slusak said.
Slusak's therapist April Perryman also has a role in that recovery.
"When I first met her she was in the bed most of the time on a ventilator,' Perryman said. "She was very dependent pretty much and had little head and shoulder movement. Since then, some finger movement, a lot of shoulder movement and good head control."
Although her dreams have changed from being a gymnast, Slusak still has dreams.
Slusak is adamant about recovering enough to go to college and start a business one day.
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