SEAN BOWLER'S SPINAL INJURY RECOVERY & REHAB

Due to our Son Sean’s condition, he is unable to read and write, but we felt it best to try and present this story from his perspective. Sean is currently at Boston’s Children’s Hospital, on a ventilator in the ICU.

My name is Sean Martin Bowler. I am the 27-year-old special needs son of Amy and Mike Bowler. Approximately 3 weeks ago on the morning of Thursday, January 5th, I suffered a fall that would forever change my life. Like we do every morning, we began our day by heading downstairs for breakfast. With only three short steps to go, I lost my footing and fell forward on the stairs. My Dad was able to catch me and partially cushion my fall but not entirely.

In that brief fall, I fractured my T1 vertebrae. To correct scoliosis and kyphosis of my spine during the years previous to my accident I have had multiple spinal surgeries. Some of the mechanical hardware installed during those surgeries also gave way. Doctors believe the fractured vertebrae were what most likely caused a blood clot to form. This clot extended from my T1 vertebrae up the C2-3 region, of my spine. I was rushed by ambulance to our local Hospital, and then immediately transferred by Boston Med Flight Ground Transport to Boston’s Children’s Hospital. I was then rushed into late-night emergency surgery to remove the large blood clot pressing on my spine, and the hardware was repaired. Doctors hoped after removing the clot, and repairing the hardware the spinal cord would expand back into position. We now know the damage to the spinal cord was more severe than originally anticipated.

Although we hoped otherwise, it is most likely that I, who did not walk until I was six, may never walk again. For the limited time that I have been awake and alert in the ICU, I have only shown voluntary movement in my biceps. The spinal cord injury is classified as a C5 injury; which is typically characterized by the loss of use of the triceps, hands, and lower extremities. It is not uncommon to experience problems with the GI tract and breathing as part of a C5 injury.

My future is unclear, and my long-term prognosis is unknown. In the short term, I will require months of rehabilitative care, both in-patient and at home. I will need a new wheelchair for mobility and transportation. My Mom and Dad will eventually need a special vehicle for my transportation to my many medical appointments, and hopefully my Gramma’s house. Our family needs to consider a new living arrangement, ideally a ranch-style home that puts us all on one level and removes the need for stairs.

My needs will grow, and will most likely change as time passes, and we gain a clearer picture of my prognosis. My immediate needs may include, limited in-home nursing care, and home modifications to ADA-compliant ramps, doorways, and bathrooms. I will need a hospital-style bed and lift to help transfer me between the bed and my wheelchair. The estimated costs of this type of spinal injury are staggering, and overwhelming, and are estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, for the rest of my life. Both my Mom and Dad are educators in Massachusetts Public Schools. One of my parents may likely need to leave their job to care for me full-time.

The most important thing in the world is to get me healthy, which will allow me to get back to some of the things that bring me joy. My list is small but it means the world to me. I would love to be able to continue to participate in my day program at Coastal Connections in Amesbury, Ma. I know that my Gramma can’t wait for me to come back to her house for family cookouts, afternoons of sewing, and maybe even a sleepover.

My future is, scary, and unknown. My love for my family and friends is unconditional. My good health, love and happiness are what my Mom and Dad are most looking forward to along with hearing me call their names. I call my Dad “Mike” and my Mom “Clementine” Abby my sister is my “Big Boy Sister” and Kelsey my other sister is “Kelsey Gracie.” Please consider donating and following my rehabilitative process on Facebook at “All About the Boy,” https://www.facebook.com/Theboysmb.