UP freshman hopes to return to campus next fall
By Christina Moran '07
Freshman Gabe Twining, who was paralyzed after a fall from a lofted bed in Shipstad Hall on March 4, has been transferred from Legacy Emmanuel Hospital to the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) in Seattle for physical and occupational therapy, his sister Stephanie Wolf said.
Following the accident, Twining, 19, underwent surgery to repair two broken vertebrae in his neck and has since then regained feeling in some of his fingers and hands, his sister said. He is also able to move his arms and sit up for extended periods of time.
Junior Jamie Halpenny, a Shipstad RA who visited Twining at Legacy Emmanuel last week, said Twining was looking forward to moving to UWMC and beginning therapy.
"He's ready to do rehab," Halpenny said. "He's tired of sitting in a hospital bed."
Wolf said her brother's spirits have improved since the transfer earlier this week. He has two goals: to play the piano again and to return to UP in the fall.
"Life just threw me a crapload of lemons, and you're all invited to a lemonade party next fall," Twining told The Beacon through his sister.
Twining is participating in an intensive rehabilitation program, Wolf said. His occupational therapy program helps him re-learn basic tasks like brushing his teeth. In mental therapy, he practices sending mental commands to the nerves in his lower body.
Twining's family decided to move him to UWMC due to its reputation as one of the top three facilities in the nation for spinal cord rehabilitation and therapy, Wolf said. The transfer also allows Twining to be closer to his hometown of Bellingham, Wash.
Wolf said her brother will continue with rehabilitation at UWMC for approximately 10 weeks before returning home for the remainder of the summer.
In the meantime, the Twining family is looking into two new treatment options that involve taking stem cells from elsewhere in the body to regenerate damaged cells in the spinal cord. Both procedures aim for a complete recovery of the spinal cord.
One of the procedures, which has never been attempted before, takes stem cells from the patient's bone marrow. The other procedure uses cells from the patient's nose.
According to Wolf, Twining's family has not yet decided whether or not to pursue these options. Doctors have told the family that the likelihood the procedures will be beneficial is uncertain, and the family is still researching the risks involved in both procedures.
Twining is open to all treatment options, his sister said, but both he and his family are concerned about the potential risk.
"There's no point in risking what he has now," Wolf said.
Over spring break, Twining enjoyed visiting with a number of friends from UP.
"He had a full room all the time," Wolf said.Twining and his family appreciate the support they have received from the UP community, Wolf said, adding that visiting with friends raises her brother's spirits and makes his goals for recovery more attainable.
The family has set up a Web site (www.gabrielsfaith.org) where people can leave messages for Twining and read about his progress. The website also includes information on how to help fund research for spinal cord treatment options for Twining.
