Brian Kaiser's Spinal Cord Injury Recovery

As many of you know, our father, Brian Kaiser, sustained a spinal cord injury while on vacation with mom in Costa Rica on June 19th. He was at the beach at Manuel Antonio National Park, having the time of his life, when a wave slammed him into the ocean floor. Fortunately, a local resident happened to be watching from the shore and pulled him from the surf. He was resuscitated, still unconscious, and airlifted with my mom to a hospital in San Jose.

Dad was put in a medically induced coma. He was placed on a ventilator and his neck was fused for stability. After three days he was taken out of the coma and an MRI revealed a C3-C4 compression, resulting in paralysis from the shoulders down. The good news was that it was an "incomplete injury", which means there is hope of regaining some mobility.

Dad was in the ICU in San Jose for 10 days. (Pro tip - Medicare and some insurances don’t work abroad, so get travel insurance.) While still on a ventilator, Dad was transferred via air ambulance to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where he underwent more extensive surgery to "clean up and fuse'' a larger section of his spinal cord (I know these aren’t the medical terms but I’m not a doctor!). After three weeks he moved to Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia, where he began intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy in addition to medical support as he was still on the vent, had a feeding tube, etc. At that point, he was still unable to speak, and it was his first time being out of bed for more than 2 hours a day. Seeing him in that delicate physical state working to get his legs moving while harnessed on the "walking machine" was both the most heartbreaking and inspirational scene we have witnessed.

The progress he has made is nothing short of astounding. In Costa Rica he could wiggle some toes. He has regained some mobility in his legs and is gradually regaining the ability to support his weight on his legs. For now, he continues to require the use of a wheelchair. With more therapy and hard work, it is highly likely (again not medical terms but based on Dad’s determination and perseverance) that he will walk again. Getting use of his arms and hands will be a longer journey, as is usual for someone with his injury. However, anyone who knows my dad knows he is the most hardworking, determined person you’ll ever meet. He is highly focused on doing whatever it takes to regain use of his arms in some fashion.

He has recently transferred from inpatient care to outpatient care. He and my mom are endlessly advocating to ensure his therapy schedule leaves no stone unturned to get him the best chance for as much recovery as is possible.

Fortunately, insurance covered many of his hospital expenses since he has been back in the U.S. However, it does not cover outpatient rehab or the home nursing care he requires since his discharge. The cost for this and the equipment Dad needs is significant, well beyond what almost any one family can endure.

The next 8-10 months will be a crucial window for Dad to continue the incredibly hard work he has started and reach his full potential and hopefully exceed all expectations for his recovery. His hope is to walk again, and, more than anything, he wants to regain some use of his arms - enough to hug his loved ones, hold future grandchildren, and do all the things we take for granted.

We’ve already had people reach out to help in countless ways - helping with meals and yardwork and so many other things. The moral support has also been remarkable, and Dad has thrived on the outpouring of love, cards, and well-wishes he has received.

For anyone who would like to make a contribution towards Dad’s continued recovery, my sister, brother and I have set up this GoFundMe. The money raised will help pay for nursing care, rehab and essential equipment. One donor has offered to match whatever funds are raised, up to $50,000 (meaning $100,000 could be raised to help defray expenses). So, if you’re able to donate $60, you’ve paid for one hour of therapy (therapy is $120/hour, so your $60 is worth $120 when matched by the donor). Nursing care is $600 for an 8-hour shift, so your $100 donation pays for 2.5 hours of nursing care when doubled. Any amount helps, so even donations of $10 will add up and truly make a difference.

Physical therapy is the highlight of Dad’s day, and also the hardest work he’s ever done. You will never get a bigger bang for your buck than helping him regain the use of his arms and legs, and in supporting Mom through her tireless work to care for our dad and navigate the labyrinth of medical and therapeutic care that this kind of recovery entails.

Thank you for reading this, and for sending your loving thoughts and good vibes to our family. We are beyond appreciative. It has made such a difference already.

With love,

Leah, Ben & Emily Kaiser