This testimonial reflects the experience and outcome of this patient. Actual results will vary.

“My RIM team was great! They always tried new things.” - Jake

In early 2023, Jake had lower back and leg pain. In less than 24 hours he was completely paralyzed from the waist down.

“Doctors weren’t sure what was going on until tests showed a spinal cord bleed. They didn’t know what caused it or what my prognosis was. I had absolutely no feeling or movement in my trunk, legs or feet,” says Jake.

After being hospitalized for a week, Jake was transferred to a rehab facility. Two weeks into his stay, some feeling in his extremities started to return.

Jake’s rehab coincided with his family’s move to the Detroit area. After doing some research, they decided DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM) was a good place for him to continue his therapy.

“It worked out well. We moved on a weekend, and I started rehab on Monday at RIM’s Novi Campus. When I got there my function was almost non-existent,” says Jake..

Three times a week, Jake did physical therapy which included riding a functional electrical stimulation (FES) bike. Special electrodes were placed over his leg muscles which delivered electrical pulses to his muscles to help them contract and move so he could pedal on his own. 

“Seeing progress helped. My RIM team was great! They always tried new things to see if it would help.”

Jake rehabbed at RIM for two years. During that time he went from not being able to walk to today, using just a cane. While his full recovery is still a work in progress, he really appreciates how far along his therapists at RIM got him. He credits them with thinking outside the box and is thankful that there is such a great rehab place down the street. “It’s made all the difference,” adds Jake.