I spent the better part of two years at TIRR (Gifford's hospital)

[Sonoman]

There could be no better place for her rehab.

As the result of a freakish drowning incident, I awoke from an induced coma at TIRR (then called the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research), knowing nothing but my name. Actually, I am pretty sure the only reason I knew my name is because the doctors and nurses prefaced every single thing they said to me with my name. I had no knowledge of language, math, or anything else. I had no motor skills or control of any part of my body.

I could not even recognize my own Mother.

Without going into a lot of boring detail and painful personal history, I was the first successful product of regressive therapy. Rather than re-teach me, they pulled as much knowledge and history from within me as possible and then taught me what they could. TIRR brought in specialists from all over the globe to work with me. NBC followed this for a while, but I was never aware of it as TIRR allowed few distractions for me. I found out later that TIRR had decided that I was the perfect candidate for this new (at the time) theory.

One week short of two years after my entering the hospital, I walked out.

Gabby Giffords could not possibly be in a better place, given her condition.

That's all.

Sonoman

[Electric Monk]

1. Wow nt

nt

[cali]

2. wow. I'm thrilled for you. -

what an amazing story.

:hug:

[villager]

3. What a story, Sonoman! thanks for sharing it here...

Without being crass or reductive, your personal journey reminded me of trying to reconstruct "data" after a hard-drive's been wiped out... Metaphorically speaking.

And of course, with much much more at stake.

Glad you walked out way back when, and are sharing your story here.

[hlthe2b]

4. Wow! That is fascinating....

So did your treatment there bring back your ability to play music or did you learn to play later? You sound like the ultimate success story. Was this some time ago or in recent years?

I'm thrilled that you are sharing this with us! :toast:

[Sonoman]

14. It took years to get the music part back together.

Since I had lost all muscle memory, I had to relearn everything and then get my hands to 'talk' to one another again.

Then, four years ago, I had another misfortune and lost control and voluntary movement of my right arm and hand.

But I am playing again.

How did you know that I play music?

Sonoman

[hlthe2b]

15. Baker Street discussion--death of Gerry Rafferty

[Sonoman]

16. Did I tell you...

about taking the lyrics and slowing them down with only an acoustic accompaniment?

Blew me away.

Sonoman

[hlthe2b]

17. Yes... I can sort of imagine how good that would sound...

;)

[sasha031]

5. so glad you made such an amazing recovery

fascinating story:)

[BlueIris]

6. I'm probably an ass for asking, but...would you mind sharing more about your accident?

The accident that put you in the hospital, that is? Thanks.

[abq e streeter]

7. Thank you...both for sharing a bit of your amazing journey,

as well as for assuring us, from that experience , about what great hands Ms. Giffords is in.

[luvspeas]

8. So glad you are here to tell the tale...

the Houston medical center is top notch! MD Anderson, Baylor, Memorial Hermann, all great.

[pnwmom]

9. That's encouraging! And I'm so happy for you, too.

Glad you were able to get treatment in such a good place.

[blondeatlast]

10. Wonderful to hear of your recovery and the promise it holds for Representative Giffords.

I, too, am a coma survivor though mine was not as dramatic as yours. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[blm]

11. wow....good to hear something so RIGHT about this country and humanity

.

[sinkingfeeling]

12. Thanks for sharing your story, but is there somewhere we could get more of the boring details?

[Sonoman]

18. I am so damned slow on the keyboard that it would take all day.

One of these days I am going to right it all down.

I have cheated Death so many times.

Sonoman

[nenagh]

19. Well done, Sonoman, just amazing...

I was thinking that you could always dictate your story... and have a student type it up.. :)

Best wishes...

[jwirr]

13. Glad for your success and thank you for the hope that this place

offers Gabby.

[applegrove]

20. That is good to know. Glad you are doing so well.

[Rhiannon12866]

21. K&R! Wow. An amazing and inspiring story...

Thanks so much for sharing this with us. It's wonderful that you've made such an impressive recovery and we're so glad that you found your way to DU... :hi:

[Sonoman]

23. Thank you.

[Rhiannon12866]

27. Well, yours is an inspiring story.

It must have taken a great deal of courage and perseverance to make it through all of that and to accomplish all you have. I've had major surgery, three, actually, which I thought was bad enough, but it didn't require much effort on my part. I hurt, but then I healed. My hat is off to you... :toast: :hi:

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

22. So good to hear of your recovery. It takes a lot of hard work

and a long time. I work at a rehab hospital here in CT in administration (not clinical).

[Xenotime]

24. happy for you but makes you wonder why they had to move her...

Why coudlnt' the same treatment be found everywhere. Who isn't getting that treatment because they can't afford it?

[KT2000]

25. they moved her

also to be near her husband so he could visit her. He works for NASA.

[Sonoman]

26. Because TIRR has no peer facility.

The place is kind of like the Mayo Clinic used to be.

When I was there, my family was poor as dirt. I never found out what it cost.

There is no better facility, anywhere, for head and spinal patients.

Sonoman