04.13.2010
Doctors at St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital Help Austin Artist Recover Function After Injuring His Spinal Cord in a Diving Accident
Despite an Accident that Rendered Him Quadriplegic With Limited Use of His Hands and Arms, 34-Year-Old Alan Wolfe Undergoes a Comprehensive Inpatient Program that Improves His Function
On April 15, 2010, 34-year-old Alan Wolfe will be released from St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital after a four-month stay following a diving accident that injured his spinal cord, leaving all four of his limbs paralyzed, with only limited use of his hands and arms.
Wolfe’s accident happened on June 1, 2009, on the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels.
“It was a hot day, so my friends and I decided to take a dip in the river,” Wolfe said. “At the count of three, we all dove into the water. They resurfaced, but I did not. I must have hit a rock formation that was not visible from the surface. They found me floating face down. I didn’t feel any pain at all when I hit the water. I didn’t feel anything. I couldn’t move.”
Doctors say Wolfe injured the lower part of his neck in the accident, causing paralysis in all four of his limbs. He still has some movement function in his elbows and wrists, but cannot move his fingers, which remain in a loose fist.
Wolfe was admitted to St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital in December 2009, six months after his accident.
“Patients with this type of injury require intensive physical and occupational therapy,” Juan Latorre, M.D., medical director of the spinal cord injury program at St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital, said. “With hard work and the right rehabilitative therapies, patients such as Alan can learn to function in an adaptive manner.”
Since Wolfe was admitted to St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital nearly four months ago, he has seen a dramatic improvement in his condition. Wolfe, a freelance graphic designer, musician, painter and documentary filmmaker, can now propel his wheelchair, eat on his own, brush his teeth, comb his hair, and can dress and bathe with only minimal assistance—a significant improvement from when he was admitted. Wolfe is also able to sketch again.
“When I first got here, I was almost completely dependent on other people for help,” Wolfe said. “Now, I can even do some sketching with specialized, adaptive equipment. It means so much to begin to get back to doing what I love.”
Ultimately, Dr. Latorre hopes Wolfe will be able to live independently at home, with minimal assistance.
“Because he didn’t sever his spinal cord, there is always a possibility he will improve over time,” Dr. Latorre said. “Most of the natural neurological recovery takes place in the first six months, but changes can still occur up to two years after the injury. That is why a comprehensive spinal cord injury program is integral in maximizing outcomes.”
Upon Wolfe’s release from St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital this month, he will be placed in a nursing care program before he is able to go home, where he will receive home care a few hours a day through the Department of Aging and Disability Services, or DADS. This is the first step to eventually living independently and receiving subsequent vocational services from DADS.
St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital
St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital, located at 1005 East 32nd Street, is owned by St. David’s HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas. The 64-bed hospital recently completed a total facility renovation, including all private rooms, increased capacity to serve more patients, additional state-of-the-art technology, and the largest rehab pool in the market to support the most comprehensive aquatic therapy program in the region. St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital provides comprehensive rehabilitative care for patients with neurological and orthopedic illness or injury. For more information, please visit StDavids.com.
St. David’s Medical Center
Founded in 1924, St. David’s Medical Center is the flagship hospital of St. David’s HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas. Located within minutes of Downtown Austin, at 919 East 32nd Street off of IH35, the 347-bed, acute care hospital’s services include specialties in neurology and neurosurgery, including the renowned NeuroTexas Institute and the TIA Center for Stroke Prevention, the acclaimed Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, a Bariatric Center of Excellence, the Breast Center, maternity and newborn services with Level I, II and III nurseries, orthopedics, inpatient and outpatient surgery, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, and a 24-hour emergency department. St. David’s Medical Center is a designated Primary Stroke Center and a nationally certified Chest Pain Center. For more information, please visit StDavids.com.
