Cheering for Chico Stem Cell/Therap

Today, Chico’s determination is more visible as a quadriplegic fighting to regain sensation and, perhaps, movement below his chest. It has been six and a half years since former LSU Cheerleader and Cheer Head Coach of 8yrs, as well as a Creative for Apple, Inc. suffered a C4/C5 vertebral dislocation with severe damage to the Spinal Cord in a boating accident August 2011.  

Today, stem cell treatments are now using Exosome which come from Mycelium Cells taken from an umbilical cord.  These treatments have been scientifically documented to make a completely severed spinal cord reconnect. This regenerative therapy is now allowed in the U.S. without surgery.  More importantly results can start to show within days.  Following stem cell treatment, Chico will return and continue with aggressive activity base therapy. Of course this type of procedure and therapy are "NOT" covered by insurance, which means we need everyone's help. Any amount donated will be greatly appreciated.  Seaux be a part of Chico’s journey......DONATE, SHARE, RE-SHARE & LET’S MAKE THIS GO VIRAL

FOR OFFLINE DONATIONS: Mailing address: Cheering For Chico, 2028 Aldoro Terrace, Deltona, FL. 32725

To read more about Chico’s story......continue reading below.  

If you would like to learn more about Stem Cell Therapy and Aggressive Based Therapy, we welcome you to visit:  

Stem Cell Center of NJ:  http://stemcellcenterofnj.com or email: [email redacted]  

Aggressive Activity Based Therapy and their locations: http://spinalcord.com.  

The rest of the story...........

On the afternoon of Aug. 27, 2011 on the Amite River Diversion Canal, Chico was with friends. The day consisted of food and drinks, wake boarding, tubing and other water activities. On the ride home, Chico was facing the stern of the boat, talking to a friend. He then noticed the boat getting close to the shoreline near the docks.  

"Before I could say, ‘Hey, Jack!' to warn the driver we were getting to close, there was a loud bang and I blacked out for just a second."    

When Chico came to, he was near the bow of the boat, which had lodged under a pier. Above him was a child hanging from the pier by her swim bottoms.  

"I waited for them to grab her, and then I tried to get up. When I tried three times and the only thing that moved was my neck, I knew that I was paralyzed."   

Chico was taken by a helicopter to Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge where he began the first of several procedures to realign his vertebrae.  

Chico's parents were at home in New Orleans when the accident occurred. The Garcia’s had completed a day of yard work when they saw missed calls from two of their son's friends.  

"Seeing those was a signal that something was up," said Syrjala Garcia. "I immediately returned the calls and they both gave the story that Chico had been in an accident, but they didn't know what the injuries were or anything."  

A circulating text read that Chico had broken only his wrist. This message was relayed to Chico's parents, who were preparing to head to Baton Rouge. As the two debated whether a broken wrist was worth the drive, they received another call saying it was something more serious, but they still didn't know exactly what.  

A short time later, as the Garcia’s was driving they received yet another call saying their son was paralyzed and had been airlifted to the hospital.  "I thought it was a bad dream," said Syrjala Garcia. "You know, questioning if he was really paralyzed and praying to God that he wasn't."  

Three weeks later, Chico was transferred to the Shepherd Center located in Atlanta, a hospital specializing in research, treatment and rehabilitation for those with spinal cord or brain injuries. He was told that he would be on a ventilator for the rest of his life and would never walk again.   

Although he remained hopeful and positive, he struggled with accepting this traumatic change in lifestyle. 

"There were times when I would cry myself to sleep thinking about the life I had before compared to the life I had now. Just wondering if I'm going to be like this forever? Am I ever going to have a girlfriend? Am I ever going to get married? Will I be a ‘quad' for the rest of my life or will I be a paraplegic if only my arms could come back?"  

The traumatic change is not an easy pill to swallow for Chico. He daily used his body and hands for his career, executing extraordinary things, and articulates his situation:   

"Being a college athlete, your body is your tool. Athletes know how to push their bodies to limits and you have high senses about your body that you're used to using.  Knowing that I've lost that was a very hard thing for me to grasp and I'm still not comfortable with it.  I still believe this isn't how my life is supposed to be.  

Chico is currently back in Baton Rouge.  Some sensation has returned to his arms and legs. He is no longer on a ventilator, still in good-humored and positive. Doctors told him the spinal cord doesn't begin to heal or improve until about six months to a year after the injury.    

"I'm staying positive because it is happening, just in small baby steps. Every day and every way I get better and better. I'm just happy to be here and fortunate that I'm still me."  

"He's the one that's going to prove them all wrong," said Syrjala Garcia. "Things that they told him he wouldn't do, he's doing already”  

Struggling to recover, a support team of family and friends formed a group which is now known as "Cheering For Chico.” Off to a good start the group received an award from Our Lady of the Lake on Jan. 27 for the most blood donated in 2011 and in the history of the blood bank. This was accomplished in a four-month span by family and friends who supported the cause. Other small fundraisers took place over time in the beginning.    

In the first 5 years Chico has been through a number of facilities that offered “traditional therapy.”  Chico was looking for a program that offered more, a place where staff would be knowledgeable regarding his diagnosis, with appropriate equipment for treatment and could challenge him on a continuous basis.  So, until March 2017, Chico finally, found the type of therapy specifically for Spinal Cord Injuries. ” Aggressive Activity Based Therapy.  This was certainly new for him and not a facility located in Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama.  The closest facility would be Houston, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa or Miami.  This would be a great big step, but so willing to take the chance.  Chico anticipated 1 – 2 months and see how it goes.  Therapy was great; the therapist specialized in training of SCI and other neurological conditions.  They have the equipment for treating neurological injuries/conditions.  Progress was nothing that we had ever dream would happen.  Based on the Doctor’s we should have nothing to look forward to.  After attending therapy for not 1, not 2, but 6 months Chico has made a small but significant stride in gaining core strength, core stability, and his bi-sep and tri-seps continue to strengthen, which he did not previously have.  Nothing is impossible.    

It is now 6 months since therapy and getting back on track to push forward, work harder, and dream for a better life. No matter how big or small. Nothing can stop him now.