Florida Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program Helps Incomplete Quadriplegic Return Home

Life can be a series of unexpected events, and that is certainly the case with John Bair. A 53-year-old man in great shape and father to 3 1/2-year-old twin girls, he was in the prime of his life. The last thing he would have expected is to find himself with a spinal cord injury, but that is exactly what happened to Bair after a routine hip replacement. He was helped however by the Florida Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program after his injury, helping make the transition less difficult.

"I had my right hip replaced on June 5, 2019, sailed through my 'in-home' rehab transitioning from a walker to cane, and then released on June 14, 2019," he explains. "The night of the accident I got up to use the bathroom, my right and left feet did not jive and my new hip buckled. I took a header into my nightstand and broke my neck and 5 vertebrae (C3-C7)." 

At first, his doctors told him he would likely be a quadriplegic, unable to walk, for the rest of his life since he had a bruised spinal cord. "I finally woke up 4 days later to my wife and nurse. In astonishment, and not knowing what was going on, my wife explained to me what had happened. They took me off the ventilator and fortunately enough I was able to start moving my legs a little."

Fortunately, despite the bruise, Bair had an incomplete injury. Within days, he was able to walk again and bear his weight, astonishing his doctors. This however did not mean his recovery was smooth sailing and that he did not require any financial assistance related to his injury, which is why he was introduced to the Florida Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program. They help with the financial needs of Floridians who’ve sustained brain and spinal cord injuries.

"While in rehab is when Peggy Giaramita came to my room and introduced herself to my wife and me, and told us about the Florida Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program, and she would be enrolling me in the program with our acceptance. Well YES! It is a program that is funded by proceeds from traffic infractions across the state and is specific to brain and spinal cord injuries only."

To see where Bair needed help, Peggy Giaramita, an occupational therapist, went with him through his home to make sure everything was safe and accessible for his return. Although he had already been living in a single level home with no steps, his bathroom was not 100% accessible. "Peggy contacted her person and I was outfitted with beautiful, decor matching grab bars and handrails in 2/3 bathrooms, the 3rd used by my 3.5-year-old twin girls. And the best part, the program completely paid for everything."

The program also helps pay for transportation costs to appointments related to an injury, which can help people save loads of money. It can also help pay for physical rehabilitation if your insurance doesn't cover it. "Even with great insurance and a paid-up deductible, my portion of these type therapy sessions got expensive." "I had very intense PT/OT for a very substantial amount of time and the fund took care of my portion of those bills," he adds.

After working with the Florida Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program, Bair has some advice. Make sure you let them know about any rehabilitation costs you need to be covered before you start your rehabilitation. In these instances, they will sometimes not be covered. "The only advice I would give is to make sure you let your program rep know about any outpatient rehab BEFORE starting. Once I started it was too late to have Peggy work her magic."