Rafe's Road to Recovery
Donation protected
My name is Rafe Eric Biggs, and due to a traumatic spinal cord injury, I am paralyzed from my chest down.
In 2004, I was on a spiritual retreat in India when I fell from a building and fractured my neck, instantly becoming a C5/6 quadriplegic. I went from being in the best physical shape of my life to becoming completely dependent on others for basic needs.
Over the last decade, I have learned new ways of navigating the world: learning how to operate a power wheelchair, live an independent life, and work as a coach with people living with disabilities and chronic illnesses, as well as with healthcare organizations. In addition, I am dating an amazing woman, have a circle of loyal, supportive friends, and a loving family. I live a meaningful life, for one of a purpose and joy.
As a quadriplegic, I experience chronic pain due to neuropathy, muscle spasticity, issues with my digestive system, and a fractures in my right and left hip. My pain level is about seven on a scale 1 to 10.
I have been on a comprehensive pain management protocol, including dozens of medications and treatments such as chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, functional electrical stimulation, prolotherapy, botox, and cortisone injections. I have spent thousands of dollars on treatments that do not sufficiently treat the pain. I am committed to finding a treatment to improve the quality of my life.
This is where you can help! There is a life-changing embryonic stem cell treatment not yet available in the US that I would like to try.
Promising research indicates that embryonic stem cells can help heal cervical injuries. Stem cells regulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and stimulate regeneration. I have spoken with several quadriplegic spinal cord-injured patients who have received stem cell therapy and are benefiting from their treatments.
The following articles articulates some of the benefits associated with stem cell use in quadriplegia: Induced pluripotent stem cell therapIes for cervical spinal cord injury Cell Transplantation for Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review
Eight years ago my friend Simon Schneider, who was with me the night that I fell, contacted me about the possibility of going back to India where they were doing innovative stem cell therapy. Upon further investigation we decided it was not the right place.
The stem cell center I would like to use is Hino Medical Center located in Mexico and led by Dr. Michael Hino.
During this treatment, I will receive 10 treatments of IV embryonic stem cell transplantations. The stem cells should begin to reduce inflammation and lessen pain throughout my body. My hope is that by the end of my treatments I will be relatively pain-free and regain some sensation and movement in my body
The cost of this treatment is $15,000.
In addition I will need to pay for airfare and hotel accommodations for myself, my caregiver, and best friend Julia Barnard who has graciously offered to come with to assist me in maximizing the effects of my treatment.
These additional expenses will cost approximately $5,000.
Any amount you can offer to help me pay for this altering experience would be most appreciated. This treatment has the potential for transforming my quality-of-life. I am planning to go in May of this year and will keep you posted on updates along the way.
For those of you who donate $100 or more, I will offer a complementary coaching session. I have a PhD in organizational psychology and am a certified somatic coach.
Finally, if you can share this with your networks of friends and family that would be extremely helpful to pay for this treatment. Thank you all so much!
In 2004, I was on a spiritual retreat in India when I fell from a building and fractured my neck, instantly becoming a C5/6 quadriplegic. I went from being in the best physical shape of my life to becoming completely dependent on others for basic needs.
Over the last decade, I have learned new ways of navigating the world: learning how to operate a power wheelchair, live an independent life, and work as a coach with people living with disabilities and chronic illnesses, as well as with healthcare organizations. In addition, I am dating an amazing woman, have a circle of loyal, supportive friends, and a loving family. I live a meaningful life, for one of a purpose and joy.
As a quadriplegic, I experience chronic pain due to neuropathy, muscle spasticity, issues with my digestive system, and a fractures in my right and left hip. My pain level is about seven on a scale 1 to 10.
I have been on a comprehensive pain management protocol, including dozens of medications and treatments such as chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, functional electrical stimulation, prolotherapy, botox, and cortisone injections. I have spent thousands of dollars on treatments that do not sufficiently treat the pain. I am committed to finding a treatment to improve the quality of my life.
This is where you can help! There is a life-changing embryonic stem cell treatment not yet available in the US that I would like to try.
Promising research indicates that embryonic stem cells can help heal cervical injuries. Stem cells regulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and stimulate regeneration. I have spoken with several quadriplegic spinal cord-injured patients who have received stem cell therapy and are benefiting from their treatments.
The following articles articulates some of the benefits associated with stem cell use in quadriplegia: Induced pluripotent stem cell therapIes for cervical spinal cord injury Cell Transplantation for Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review
Eight years ago my friend Simon Schneider, who was with me the night that I fell, contacted me about the possibility of going back to India where they were doing innovative stem cell therapy. Upon further investigation we decided it was not the right place.
The stem cell center I would like to use is Hino Medical Center located in Mexico and led by Dr. Michael Hino.
During this treatment, I will receive 10 treatments of IV embryonic stem cell transplantations. The stem cells should begin to reduce inflammation and lessen pain throughout my body. My hope is that by the end of my treatments I will be relatively pain-free and regain some sensation and movement in my body
The cost of this treatment is $15,000.
In addition I will need to pay for airfare and hotel accommodations for myself, my caregiver, and best friend Julia Barnard who has graciously offered to come with to assist me in maximizing the effects of my treatment.
These additional expenses will cost approximately $5,000.
Any amount you can offer to help me pay for this altering experience would be most appreciated. This treatment has the potential for transforming my quality-of-life. I am planning to go in May of this year and will keep you posted on updates along the way.
For those of you who donate $100 or more, I will offer a complementary coaching session. I have a PhD in organizational psychology and am a certified somatic coach.
Finally, if you can share this with your networks of friends and family that would be extremely helpful to pay for this treatment. Thank you all so much!
Organizer and beneficiary
Rafe Eric Biggs
Organizer
Berkeley, CA
Leo Bautista
Beneficiary
