Finding the Strength to Recover, Katy Blake Makes Strides at Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center
Carlsbad, CA (PRWEB) November 21, 2013 -- An annual canoe trip with friends turned to a tragic accident for then 23-year-old, Katy Blake who found herself face down in water unable to move her limbs. While horsing around with a buddy, Blake jumped into the Little Black Creek in Hattiesburg, MS and immediately knew that the water was too shallow. Seeing her lifeless body floating face down, that same friend jumped in after Katy and pulled her to the sandbar where Blake explained her inability to move. She was rushed to the hospital where it was determined that Blake suffered from an incomplete spinal cord injury at the C-5 vertebrae and would now have to embrace life as a quadriplegic.
Today, Blake is focusing her efforts on regaining the independence she lost the day of her accident by attending the Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center in Carlsbad, CA.
“I want to do the small things again like dress myself, cook a meal on my own or put myself in bed,” says Blake. “I’m not giving up hope that I will one day walk again, but I also want to be able to do those things as well.”
Blake’s journey to recovery has been filled with hurdles, but her perseverance and commitment to continue with rehab has earned her an outpouring of support thanks to social media. An avid New Orleans Saints fan, Blake found inspiration in the book “Coming Back Stronger” written by quarterback, Drew Brees which ultimately lead to a meet-and-greet with the admired quarterback. The Saints posted a photo of Blake and Brees together which catapulted her Facebook page, “Help Katy Back to Rehab” to go viral instantly. Close friend, Laura Cole recalls her surprise when Blake received a call that an anonymous donor offered to fund an extended stay at Project Walk.
“When she told me the news I was shocked and just so excited for her,” says Cole. Cole is a registered nurse and hometown friend who offered to assist Blake with the trip to California for therapy. She adds, “It was my first time to ride on an airplane, and Katy’s first time since she was injured; so it was exciting for both of us.”
Project Walk is based on The Dardzinski Method, and uses intense activity-based recovery backed by research and technology to expose those affected by a neurological impairment to the most forward-thinking rehabilitation in the industry. Project Walk Specialists focus on getting clients out of their wheelchairs; a welcomed approach by Blake.
“It felt really good to get out of my chair and doing things my body hasn’t done in a very long time,” says Blake. She adds, “It was different than anything else I’ve experienced.”
Blake continues to make progress and updates her more than 7,000 Facebook followers daily. Her loyal fan base is quick to send words of encouragement as she posts new videos and updates of her workouts.
In reflecting on her time at Project Walk, Blake wrote on Facebook, “I’m sad to think that this time next week we’ll be back home, this has been an incredible experience and I’m not ready for it to end.”
Blake looks forward to continued improvement with more opportunities to continue her recovery at Project Walk. For more on Project Walk and stories like Katy’s, please visit our website at http://www.ProjectWalk.org.
Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center, the world leader in spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery, provides an improved quality of life for people with SCI through intense activity-based recovery programs, education, training, research and development. SCI Business Solutions Inc. is the exclusive operator and franchisor of Project Walk and consists of a global network of franchised and licensed locations encompassing both for and nonprofit businesses. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Project Walk has locations throughout the United States and worldwide, serving thousands of clients in over 30 countries, on 6 continents.
Leah Malkinson, Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery, http://www.projectwalk.org, 760.431.9789 Ext: 121, [email protected]
Share this article