[JennyJ]

Dec 13th 2007 my fiance was in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a fractured C5. They say his injury is C4/C5.

Within a few days of injury he gained the ability to shrug his shoulders, flex his biceps and triceps, and even twist his wrists. Doctors are optimistic, but only time will tell. Right now he is still in the hospital dealing with pneumonia and weakness from weight loss and waiting for insurance approval to move to the rehab center (isn't it ALWAYS about money!?).

We are in Athens, Greece and he will be transferring to Filoktitis Rehab Center in Koropi, Greece.

We're wondering if we should have him transferred to the US or somewhere else for rehab treatment (I'm a US citizen from Connecticut so moving him to the US is feasible). Does anyone have experience with Filoktitis? It's a brand new facility just built in 2007 and is supposed to be great, but we really don't know.

I guess we're trying to find out which are the BEST rehab centers available for this type of injury. I'm sure selecting the right rehab center is a personal decision, but right now we have NO experience in this matter and are just looking at all our options.

I just want him to get the best treatment he can get, and if that means moving somewhere else, we'll do it.

We would LOVE to hear from you to help us out during this tough time.

[Paul Breen]

I know that some of my clients use the organisation at the folloing link as a sounding board for advice.

http://spinalcord.org/

Hope this helps

Paul

[kewlcatkez]

Hello,

Please also see Paraplegics association of Greece. This is Greece's version of the link Paul Breen posted. The Greek site may have some info regarding Rehab centres local to you. As you are from the US, The NSCIA ( The National Spinal Cord Injury Association) may be of use to you also. You can find them HERE


All the best with finding the best rehab facility, and your partner's recovery.

HTH

Take care,

K



edited to add US info.

This post has been edited by kewlcatkez: 11 January 2008 - 06:57 PM

[mattp]

Hi,

I am a C4/5 quad. When I was first injured alls I could do is flap my arms. I then went to Craig Hospital in Denver, CO. After 3.5 months there i regained wrist flexors, triceps began to fire slightly, slight ab contraction. I now feed myself, shave, brush teeth, write (slow going), self cath, and have recently started to transfer myself from chair to bed and vice versa.

If you are considering a rehab hospital in the US, I highly recommend Craig. www.craighospital.org

Good luck on you choice and rehab. Life isn't over, this is an experience that will be tough,but not too tough to overcome.

[rollingpix]

If your considering moving Craig, Kennedy Krieger and Sheperd Center are all A+

[jass1]

I was in GERMANY for rehab I highly recommend it, I went to KOBLENZ GERMANY



GOOD LUCK

[eujei]

hi,


im a C5 complete quad from Portugal and I also looked for the better and ended up in Spain, in Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, but ended up disappointed. This because i believe the best center is where they dedicate more time to recovery. They were very good with handling with all the others problems associated with a SCI but they were so many patients that i only had little time to workout. And if your boyfriend is a incomplete lesion, they go for it and work as hard as you can. It really doesnt matter the place.