Paul Thacker

Thacker Update – January 5, 2011

// January 9th, 2011 // News

Hey all! Happy Holidays! It’s PT checking in here. I figured it was about time I did a little update on my post crash/recovery time. 

For those of you that don’t know I had a little get off end of Nov that left me with a broken back and no feeling from my chest down. Well after the docs got me put back together in Regions Hospital in St Paul MN it was time to start the road to recovery.

My rehab started just a couple days after my surgery. The therapists and Dr’s at Regions have the same mind set as me, no sense in sitting around waiting for stuff to happen, time to get to it and make things happen. So right away it was 6 hours of rehab a day right out of the gate! No rest for the weary. So it only took me right around two weeks and the hospital deemed me ready for release into the world! No that has to be some kind of record! So I took it upon myself to do some research to continue my rehab. With the help of my Team at Regions as well as Dr Lavine in AK we made a short list of places that we felt would help continue my rehab. I made my decision to head to Craig Hospital in Denver CO. It is one of if not the best rehab hospital in the country for spinal and brain injuries.

So after just three short weeks post injury I was on a plane to CO.  I arrived at Craig on the 14^th of Dec late evening. The next day started my journey here in Colorado. The 1^st few days were mostly assessment and testing to see where I was recovery wise and the hospital was stoked to find out I was way way ahead of the typical patient that checks in. The following Monday is what I call my 1^st real day at the hospital here. That is when the work really started.

My days here at Craig start at 8am and usually end after 4pm. And trust me when I say it is a full day of ass kicking. We do tons of strengthening and cardio in the mornings. Some of the workouts are as tough as I have ever had. We do a ton of balance and strengthening activities. They teach us how to use a wheelchair like I have never seen. I am talking up and down stairs. Popping over curbs, wheeling everywhere, including ramps and stairs! Every day is a new activity that is just as difficult as the next. To be honest I, despite my injury I am very much enjoying this new challenge. Needless to say I am fully kicking ass and breaking records here as far as the quickness of my recovery.

My attitude on life has not changed one bit. I am as upbeat as ever and am not even looking as this as an injury or even much of  a setback, just a change that we will have to modify a few things to get back to normal day to day.  I am plan on a full recovery and have very positive changes with my body happening every day. I will be on the sled again very soon and plan on picking up right where I left off.  We are already planning events that I will be able to do regardless of where my recovery is at that point. We will still be kicking ass and breaking records! So stay tuned and to everyone that has had me in their thoughts and prayers I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  It’s been a tremendous help to know I have so many people pulling for me. So thanks to all and I will keep you posted on how bad I am kicking ass at rehab!

Oh year, don’t for get to tune into X Games this Jan, I will be there in full effect announcing the sled events and enjoying the games! Should be a great time!

A special thanks to all of my sponsors that are sticking by me though this little speed bump. It’s much appreciated.  Heartfelt thanks to all.

Until Next time, keep ripping!

PT11