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Craig Smith works out on a motorized cycle that uses an electric current to stimulate nerves in his legs. Physical therapist Sue Behrens monitors his progress.
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Craig Smith of Elk Horn suffered a spinal cord injury in a fall in March 2007 and now uses a wheelchair. After rehabilitation in medical facilities in both Nebraska and Des Moines, he still needed physical therapy.
“We were so concerned about what to do next,” says Craig’s father, Doug. “We had heard about Timber Creek from other people who have been there and knew that’s where we wanted him to go.”
Craig’s mother, Wanda, drove him to Timber Creek for the first year, but now he makes the 45-minute trip on his own. He has received physical therapy both in the warm water pool and on horseback.
He’s also benefited from time on a motorized cycle. It uses an electric current to stimulate nerves that evoke patterned movement in legs or arms. This enables muscles to work even though all or some control of the muscles has been lost.
“The staff at Timber Creek is just fabulous. They keep him motivated and are so good to him,” says Doug. “He has responded well and has been helped so much there.”