8 replies to this topic

[jclark]

Hi my name is Jesse and I'm 20 years old and have been a quad for 11 months. My SCI story is that last April I passed out while driving in the middle of nowhere Arkansas and ended up hitting a tree at almost a 100mph in mid air. So I was in the ICU in Springfield, Missouri for 9 weeks and then went to Little Rock, Arkansas for rehab and now I'm back living with my parents. I need help with trying to get assisted living because in about 3 months I'm going to need a place to live. I know that Arkansas medicaid pays for assisted living but I think you need to be 21 to get this benefit but I will be about 3 months from turning 21 when this happens. So my question is does anybody know of anyway to get around this rule since I'll be so close to being eligible anyways. If necessary I would even move to another state with different rules. Also I'm wondering how many of you use diazepam or clonazepam or any other benzo for muscle spasms. I am taking neurontin and baclofen plus some other medications but my spasms are horrible and I need something to help. Thanks for the help.

[In The Wind]

If there is a good state for someone with a SCI to live in, it's arkansas. The state has many programs just for SCI. I suggest that you get in touch with the spinal cord commision, they will be able to guide you and provide assistance. AS you will read here, excercise is about the best thing you can do for your spasms. What part of the state are you in?

[redryder49]

Get in touch with your local Center for Independent Living center (CIL)
http://www.ar-ilc.org/cils.htm

[allis53ca]

jesse, you don't need assisted living, you need assistance living independently...huge diff...as suggested get ahold of ilc and scc..dont wait, it takes awhile to get things set up with various agencies and you need to be ahead of the game so delays or bumps in the road don't stall you...good luck kid

[allis53ca]

also, get your doc to let you sub lyrica for your neurontin for a bit and see how that works for you

[KeepTheFaith]

Stretching, Exercise, Weight bearing in a standing frame really helps the spasms. You may want to check-out Victory Walk, which is a little north of Little Rock, in Springdale. It is an exercise based recovery program that may be helpful in setting you up with a good home program. Talk to Greg Alderson, the SCI Therapy Specialist. He spent some time training at Project Walk.

[jclark]

I live in Eureka Springs which is NW AR and about an hour from Fayettville. I do have a case worker from the spinal cord commision and I was planning on getting ahold of her on monday so I am hoping to get some good news. I've got info and talked to people at the Victory walk and would really like to be able to get in their program or at least spend some time working out over there but the problem is paying for it. I'm not sure if I'll have any financial help when I turn 21 or not but I do know I can get physical and occupational therapy at home at 21. And I will talk to my dr. about changing to lyrica. Thanks everybody for the help and if anybody else has more info I'd like to read it.

JESSE

[In The Wind]

KeepTheFaith, on Mar 28 2010, 06:01 PM, said:

Stretching, Exercise, Weight bearing in a standing frame really helps the spasms. You may want to check-out Victory Walk, which is a little north of Little Rock, in Springdale. It is an exercise based recovery program that may be helpful in setting you up with a good home program. Talk to Greg Alderson, the SCI Therapy Specialist. He spent some time training at Project Walk.

Well, it's a little more than a little north, right at 4 hours. But we do have Victory Walk, and Greg is good. PM and I'll give you the centers number (I'm on the VW board). There is alot he can do that will help spasms, and alot of it you can do at home. I'd suggest that you just make it part of your regular day

[hurbshankin]

I don't know. I've been to Project Walk and continue PT based on that and my spasms continue to get worse!

Hurb