We can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength. Truly amazing. We're watching a miracle
my Easter Sunday even better!
that's awesome.
thanks for posting.
Hell yeah! That video completes my Easter Sunday.
Mine would be complete when he walks on water:p Brock is simply amazing!
is cool. Way to go, Brock (and Barwis). Helluva job all around.
Impossible is nothing. Way to work Brock. This would make an awesome story for a movie some day.
was that molk in the background at the end?
Considering what he has been through, to get this far in his recovery and rehabilitation is nothing short of absolutely amazing. Great and inspiring post, in my opinion.
This is way awesome. As a side note, Barwis spotting him while holding a small child is odd.
Are there any videos of what Barwis has gotten that baby to do?
That is one of the coolest things I have seen. Way to go Brock!
Been here one day, pissing people off already. haha
Incredible!!!!
I cannot imagine what it would feel like to walk without being able to feel my legs... I am assuming that is the reasoning for him waving his arms around like that. Barwis is an incredible person for dedicating himself to Brock like he has! Congrats to Brock!
Yeah, I'm not sure whether he can't feel them at all or if they're just way too weak to be used for decent balance at this point. I would guess he's gotta feel them at least a little bit, right?
Either way, this is one of the most inspiring stories I've ever seen. Incredible perseverance and faith.
If you haven't ever experienced what it feels like to walk without being able to feel your legs, you clearly don't party hard enough.
Cant keep a good man down
Today was blessing. Easter sunday, news of Trey Burke possibly coming back, and Brock walking. Truly a blessing!!
Mike Barwis and Brock Mealer are both Michigan men. Great cap to a great weekend.
Absolutely tremedous.
From a medical perspective, it looks like Brock is using a modified hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis, with the hip and knee unlocked to flex, but allows for (and reinforces) full extension to generate recurvatum for stability.
It looks like there may be a harness underneath the shirt and shorts that runs up to Brock's shoulders to generate hip flexion (notice how Brock does a swim move with each arm as the corresponding leg comes off the ground)?
Coach Barwis, Brock's PT, and Brock did a hell of a job working on trunk stability to be able to maintain standing upright in a dynamic HKAFO for that long. Typically paraplegic patients need a walker to walk with locked HKAFOs.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there was much more neuronal regeneration seeing the atrophy of Brock's legs.
He also simply hasn't been using them. They'll grow more now that the muscles are getting used.
Think of it as your computer mouse. If it's not plugged in, no matter how much you wiggle and click the mouse, it won't effect anything on the computer screen.
From what I remember of Brock (I was the senior resident of the rehab floor at the time, in charge of approving outside admissions into UMH's inpatient rehab floor) he had a complete spinal cord injury (SCI). Unfortunately, that degree of atrophy is common (and irreversible) in patient's with mid-low thoracic complete SCIs. I have two patients in my practice (seeing them for rotator cuff tears) with similar injuries.
is one of the most inspirational true-life stories I've ever seen or heard. There may be, as you say above, some limitations to further progress, but I dare you tell Brock that, because I'd bet he'd do everything humanly possible and then some to prove you wrong!
Just great to see this. Congrats to everyone involved.
Imagine growing up there - young Mr. Barwis is going to have great things to take to Show and Tell!
I'm close friends with one of the Mealers family friends and I remember the night of the accident like it was yesterday. You couldn't meet a better group of people and I am so proud of how they have fought through all the odds.
Way to go Brock! It's hard to believe its been a year and a half since he led our team out on the field against UCONN. Props to Barwis, and I'll even give some credit to RichRod!
That is truly amazing. I hope he gets to lead the team out of the tunnel again.
TREMENDOUS! I guess Easter Sunday is the day a guy who couldn't walk, walks again. It has that miracle feel to it . . . .
That is a wonderful Easter Surprise! I'm so happy for him!
inspiration for us all
Way to go Brock and mike!
Well. I'm sitting here in the Dudestadt Library, on the verge of pulling an all nighter for a biochem assignment. I was wallowing in the "dammit, this sucks" self pity. Then I watched this video. Dammit, this man is inspirational. If he can do what he's done, going from paralyzed to walking, whats one little homework assignment? Nothing. This will be easy! I'm pumped now. I'm off to go kick biochem homework-ass!
Is there any chance he could lead the team out on the field again some time in the future? Or is that out of the question now that RichRod is gone?