My first visit to the stem cell clinic! It felt strange to cross the border into Tijuana and not head west on the toll road to Ensenada, my historically frequent destination for yacht delivery and repair calls. Yesterday, my friend Dave and I headed southeast on Paseo de Los Heroes to Hospital Angeles, home of the Regenerative Medicine Institute (RMI). My appointment for electromyography and blood testing served two purposes: the tests were required as part of my application for treatment, and it provided me an opportunity to inspect the facilities first-hand and meet the medical team that would potentially treat me with stem cell therapy.
When I first considered the notion of seeking medical treatment in "TJ", I had visions of waking up on the operating table to find a fresh scar across my side as I watched my kidney being carted off to the black market of vital organs. As I researched the clinic further, my fears of being taken advantage of by charlatans and snake-oil salesmen eased. A number of affiliations with US medical schools, biotech firms, and accrediting organizations had me feeling more convinced of the clinic's legitimacy. RMI has subjected itself to institutional review, site audits, and continuing oversight by the International Cellular Medicine Society, a US-based non-profit working toward the advancement and standardization of cell-medicine.
Now that I've seen the hospital and clinic, which appear perfectly modern, clean, and well-equipped, and I've met the medical professionals who will treat me (most of whom speak fluent English), I'm ready to pull the trigger. I understand that there are risks involved and that there is no guarantee of success, but the possibility of increased recovery is worth it to me. I'll keep you posted!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
December 12, 2011
A few more turns of the wrench and I'll be rolling on a new Intrepid hand cycle! Cycling has long been a favorite avocation and I'm ready to start racking up some miles on this new trike. At first, the miles will be flat and mostly downwind, but I have to start somewhere. Not only will the hand cycle be an integral part of my fitness program, it will be good for my soul! I never realized what a bike-nerd I was until I couldn't ride. I've missed the sound of the tires humming beneath me and the clean, mechanical purr of a well tuned drive-train. The moment I settled in the seat during the first fitting, I began to feel like I was back in my element. I should be riding by this weekend and will be sure to post pics as soon as I have some! Thanks again to the generous donors who made this happen, especially Cousin
Lori who ran the Chicago Marathon to raise funds for the cause!
Lori who ran the Chicago Marathon to raise funds for the cause!
Friday, December 2, 2011
November 30,2011
"There is nothing-absolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."- The Water Rat, Wind in the Willows. Boats embody the spirit of possibility- so many places they might take you, so many things you might see and do! Many of my fondest memories involve my experiences on boats. As we drove out the Shelter Island causeway, the boatyards, marinas, and yachts stirred in me a familiar sense of wanderlust. Our destination was Challenged America, an adaptive sailing program that provides opportunities for disabled people to get out and sail, both recreationally and competitively.
We had come to the program to get my father and my sister checked out on the program's Martin 16 sailboats so they could sail as my able-bodied companion. After reviewing the rigging procedures for the two-seat, 16-foot sloops, we shoved off and set sail across Americas Cup Harbor. As we reached the open waters of San Diego Bay I heard a shout from my starboard side, "last one to the buoy is a rotten egg!" yelled Steve, the volunteer sailing with my sister. Something about the proximity of a similar boat compels sailors to coax every last bit of boat speed from the sails. The little boats handled nicely- the most fun I've had at 4 knots!
I'm excited to have been introduced to the Challenged America program and look forward to racing in disabled regattas in the near future.
We had come to the program to get my father and my sister checked out on the program's Martin 16 sailboats so they could sail as my able-bodied companion. After reviewing the rigging procedures for the two-seat, 16-foot sloops, we shoved off and set sail across Americas Cup Harbor. As we reached the open waters of San Diego Bay I heard a shout from my starboard side, "last one to the buoy is a rotten egg!" yelled Steve, the volunteer sailing with my sister. Something about the proximity of a similar boat compels sailors to coax every last bit of boat speed from the sails. The little boats handled nicely- the most fun I've had at 4 knots!
I'm excited to have been introduced to the Challenged America program and look forward to racing in disabled regattas in the near future.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
November 10, 2011
When I turned 39 last year, I began planning for my 40th birthday. Committed to doing something adventurous to mark the big four-zero, I brainstormed over my world atlas- trekking in the Himalaya? Perhaps a multi-sport adrenalin tour in New Zealand? Whatever the trip was, wherever it might take me, I was going to go big. On January 27 I broke my neck and all plans went out the window.
Happy to simply be alive, I had no aspirations for an "extraordinary" 40th birthday. I anticipated dinner with family and a few friends- nice and mellow. Little did I know, my friends and family had something else in mind for me.
The first of many surprises last weekend occurred Thursday as I rolled up the boardwalk in Pacific Beach. Expecting to meet my brother Dan and long-time buddy Chris and his wife Gina (who gets HUGE kudos for orchestrating much of the fun last weekend!), my jaw dropped when I noticed James, Jennifer and Kellie strolling toward me- my best friends from my youth in Michigan had flown in to celebrate with me!
Saturday morning, my friend Dave arranged for me to go sailing with the Challenged America adaptive sailing program. I had not been on the water since my accident and being at the helm of a boat again was a surprisingly emotional event for me- thankfully, my sunglasses concealed the tears of joy that welled up in my eyes as we tacked across San Diego Bay.
Shortly after sailing, I was floored again as I rolled out of the elevator at The Fiddler's Green restaurant and into a chorus of "Happy Birthday" sung by the crowd of family and friends lying in wait. Friends, old and new, had gathered to wish me well- some of whom had flown in just for the day(Adam and Murph, you guys are animals!) Thank you for making my 40th a day to remember!
I also want to thank everyone who couldn't be here in person but were certainly with me in spirit. Your cards, calls, emails, texts, voicemails, and web posts have kept my spirits high and you inspire me to keep at it for another 40!
LOVE TO ALL,
Eric
Happy to simply be alive, I had no aspirations for an "extraordinary" 40th birthday. I anticipated dinner with family and a few friends- nice and mellow. Little did I know, my friends and family had something else in mind for me.
The first of many surprises last weekend occurred Thursday as I rolled up the boardwalk in Pacific Beach. Expecting to meet my brother Dan and long-time buddy Chris and his wife Gina (who gets HUGE kudos for orchestrating much of the fun last weekend!), my jaw dropped when I noticed James, Jennifer and Kellie strolling toward me- my best friends from my youth in Michigan had flown in to celebrate with me!
Saturday morning, my friend Dave arranged for me to go sailing with the Challenged America adaptive sailing program. I had not been on the water since my accident and being at the helm of a boat again was a surprisingly emotional event for me- thankfully, my sunglasses concealed the tears of joy that welled up in my eyes as we tacked across San Diego Bay.
Shortly after sailing, I was floored again as I rolled out of the elevator at The Fiddler's Green restaurant and into a chorus of "Happy Birthday" sung by the crowd of family and friends lying in wait. Friends, old and new, had gathered to wish me well- some of whom had flown in just for the day(Adam and Murph, you guys are animals!) Thank you for making my 40th a day to remember!
I also want to thank everyone who couldn't be here in person but were certainly with me in spirit. Your cards, calls, emails, texts, voicemails, and web posts have kept my spirits high and you inspire me to keep at it for another 40!
LOVE TO ALL,
Eric
Sunday, October 23, 2011
October 23, 2011
Entering through the front door at Intrepid Equipment, Carl and I found ourselves in a jungle of chromoly steel, aluminum, and rubber. We visited this local builder of hand cycles a few days ago and met with the founder Graham Butler. Numerous bicycles, recumbent tricycles,and wheelchairs of various shapes, sizes, and configurations were shoe-horned into the office-cum-workshop. The sounds and smells of a metal fabrication shop filled the air and as we made our way further into the facility, I couldn't help but recall the droid recycling plant in "The Empire Strikes Back". After touring the shop and meeting the crew, I knew I had come to the right place to find a hand cycle. We spent the next hour pouring over catalogs, selecting the components, gearing, tires, and other equipment that would make this machine work for me and my capability/disability. Committed to fitting his clients with the right equipment, Graham even offered to set up a similar demo bike and invited me back for a test ride later this week. Thoroughly geeked out on bike stuff, I left excited and anxious to ride the rig we had just brainstormed into existence.
The portent of returning to cycling lifts my spirit and I thank those responsible: the family and friends who supported my cousin Lori Ervin's running of the Chicago Marathon for my benefit. You are providing me with a piece of equipment that will greatly improve my physical fitness, mental health, and overall quality of life.
Thank you!
The portent of returning to cycling lifts my spirit and I thank those responsible: the family and friends who supported my cousin Lori Ervin's running of the Chicago Marathon for my benefit. You are providing me with a piece of equipment that will greatly improve my physical fitness, mental health, and overall quality of life.
Thank you!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
October 9, 2011
Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to my cousin Lori Ervin! Running the Chicago Marathon for my benefit, Lori CHARGED it and finished in 3:59:36. NICE! To the generous donors who supported Lori's monumental effort: thank you! Your kindness motivates me to work hard toward recovery so that I can once again be active and enjoy athletic pursuits.
I rode a hand cycle for the first time yesterday. San Diego Parks and Recreation hosts regular rides at numerous city parks and I'm glad to see our tax dollars at work in this program. The friendly and helpful staff shows up with a truckload of bikes and disabled riders are given an opportunity to try the totally awesome sport of cycling. I pedal a hand cycle frequently in the gym but, as is frequently the case, the real thing is a different animal. Despite my miserable performance, I was elated to once again pedal along the shoreline of Mission Bay. I look forward to getting onto a cycle set up for my specific condition, dimension, strengths, and weaknesses. Before long I'll be listening again to the sweet music of fat tires on dirt. Thank you Charlie and Gaen for your help to/from the bike! I hope your backs aren't too sore.
MAHALO
Berkey
I rode a hand cycle for the first time yesterday. San Diego Parks and Recreation hosts regular rides at numerous city parks and I'm glad to see our tax dollars at work in this program. The friendly and helpful staff shows up with a truckload of bikes and disabled riders are given an opportunity to try the totally awesome sport of cycling. I pedal a hand cycle frequently in the gym but, as is frequently the case, the real thing is a different animal. Despite my miserable performance, I was elated to once again pedal along the shoreline of Mission Bay. I look forward to getting onto a cycle set up for my specific condition, dimension, strengths, and weaknesses. Before long I'll be listening again to the sweet music of fat tires on dirt. Thank you Charlie and Gaen for your help to/from the bike! I hope your backs aren't too sore.
MAHALO
Berkey
Thursday, October 6, 2011
October 5,2011: SD Zoo's Safari Park
"NOT RECOMMENDED FOR WHEELCHAIRS" warned the sign, but nothing would keep us from descending the path into Tiger Territory. Our descent from Condor Ridge had gone well and
I was feeling confident in the power-assist wheels and Sara's helping hands firmly planted on the push-grips of my chair. We managed the steep section smoothly,and though no tigers were visible in their paddock, we coasted through the Roar n' Snore campground and arrived victorious at Lion Camp.
As I adjust to life in a wheel chair, I find myself seeking "accessible" activities. Prior to my injury, trips to museums, theme parks, and sporting events were seldom as free time was normally spent on (or off) a trail, underwater, or in the snow. Of course, adaptive sports equipment will enable me to enjoy a form of my favorite avocations, but I can't exactly hop onto a hand cycle and go for a ride on a whim- those types of outings now require planning and assistance from people who know how to deal with my particular challenges and the specialized equipment needed.
I can, however, easily enjoy many of San Diego's myriad attractions with the aid of one companion. Load me in the van, strap me down, and we're off to a museum, airshow, or football game. I look forward to these outings with the anticipation of a sixth-grader going on a field-trip. Of course, none of these trips could happen without the time and effort of numerous, selfless family and friends, to whom I am deeply thankful!
I was feeling confident in the power-assist wheels and Sara's helping hands firmly planted on the push-grips of my chair. We managed the steep section smoothly,and though no tigers were visible in their paddock, we coasted through the Roar n' Snore campground and arrived victorious at Lion Camp.
As I adjust to life in a wheel chair, I find myself seeking "accessible" activities. Prior to my injury, trips to museums, theme parks, and sporting events were seldom as free time was normally spent on (or off) a trail, underwater, or in the snow. Of course, adaptive sports equipment will enable me to enjoy a form of my favorite avocations, but I can't exactly hop onto a hand cycle and go for a ride on a whim- those types of outings now require planning and assistance from people who know how to deal with my particular challenges and the specialized equipment needed.
I can, however, easily enjoy many of San Diego's myriad attractions with the aid of one companion. Load me in the van, strap me down, and we're off to a museum, airshow, or football game. I look forward to these outings with the anticipation of a sixth-grader going on a field-trip. Of course, none of these trips could happen without the time and effort of numerous, selfless family and friends, to whom I am deeply thankful!
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