Hello!
I’m Lauren Verlizzo and I work in Dr. Aiko Thompson’s Translational Neurological Research lab here at Helen Hayes Hospital where I began not as an employee, but a patient.
In July of 2002, I suffered from a C5-C6 incomplete anterior spinal cord injury. I was given less than a ten percent chance of walking. After six months spent in the spinal cord unit, my rehab continued in Long Island, Miami, and back at Helen Hayes Hospital. Through intense physical therapy and perseverance, I now rely solely on a right side AFO and lofstrand crutches to walk short distances.
In September 2009, I started reflex training with Dr. Aiko Thompson, where electrodes were placed directly on my leg. I had electrical stimulation prior to this, but never in a consistent manner. I deal with chronic spasticity: my right leg will routinely go into extension or I experience clonus to the point of imbalance. I also have a severe hip hike. When the conditioning part of the study began, I struggled a bit with how to mentally control the H-reflex. Within a month, however, focusing became second nature. It required an intense amount of concentration, but the more success I had in a trial, the more motivated I became.
This motivation payed off. I experienced significant relaxation of my calf, my hips evened out, and I was able to maintain knee flexion during walking. I had more energy as I was able to sustain longer, faster steps. The tension in my arms and shoulders becomes unbearable at times but that too normalized, as I no longer had to put as much pressure on the crutches through my upper body as my legs functioned at a higher level. Six months post-study, I maintained a low reflex response. I only hope I can try this again and experience the same positive results.
In the spring of 2011, I returned for the TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) training study, which was an entirely different experience. Instead of electrical stim to my legs, I was getting it to my head. I had no dorsiflexion prior, my ankle and heel was extremely tight, and I was experiencing a significant amount of hip pain. I did not have the outstanding success I did with the reflex training, but I attribute much of that to the above stated conditions. It was far from a failure; on the contrary, I was the only participant to reach 100% success during one block of 75 trials. After another particularly good session, I raised my toes without any assistance. Experiencing even a modicum of success towards the conclusion of my study was enough for me to want to continue trying, and doing so led to better results.
Dr. Thompson is nothing but supportive. While she couldn’t promise me anything would work for certain, she gave me the confidence to want to succeed. Her research is an asset to anyone in the SCI, stroke, or MS population.
I’m in the unique position to observe what’s going in the lab and will report back to you, but I’d like your help as well. I’d like to create a forum where you feel comfortable sharing questions, experiences, feelings, etc. Maybe you or someone you know partakes in research, has in the past, or wants to. Perhaps you have a general interest or insight into the subject. Whatever the situation, research requires participation in all forms to move forward. This is as much a personal journey as it is a scientific one. I hope you will join me.
Enjoy good health,
Lauren
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love your attitude, ask about the bioness L300, i have had good success with it with my weaker leg
Thanks, Keith! I’m glad to hear the Bioness worked for you. I had more success with the Walk-Aid but never got to do the full training. You might be an excellent candidate for the research they are doing here in regards to spasticity and ankle motion. You can find more info at http://www.helenhayeshospital.org/neuro-research. I’ll be in touch and see what you think!
Beautifully written Lauren…you are an inspiration to us all!!!
Laura, it is you and the devoted staff here that makes it possible!
I think you are an amazing human being. You need to speak to others to lift their spirits and their motivation and strength!
Thanks, Ame! The people who I see participating in the research all have great motivation, but you know I’m always willing to talk!
This was a very interesting article to read, mostly because of the strength and determination of the author. Lauren, your bravery shines through and I look forward to reading more about your experiences.
I can only be as brave as and strong as the belief I have that things can get better through science and individual motivation, and I thank you for believing in me!
Hi Lauren
Thank you for sharing your story and information on your success in these remarkable studies. You are truly an amazing person! I have been meaning to email for such a long time now (since we became facebook friends). I would love to hear all about the awesome things you are doing
~Jaime Flanagan
Great to hear from you, Jaime! I remember you saying you like to hear about neuro, so thank you for your interest and kind words. I welcome you to share your experiences as well, and please spread the word.
I look forward to sharing how research can improve lives and the new breed of professionals looking to make it happen, which, as a PT, I think you will find interesting. (more on that in the next blog post. stay tuned!)
You are truly inspirational!!
I am inspired to work towards success from that wonderful compliment. Thank you, Cheryl!
How much fun it is to read about Sterling NY, the town I visited as a child with my fialmy. My grandfather was Hugh B Dugan and my father was Hugh Carlyle Dugan and my brother is Sloane Dugan. So many fialmy names! Such fun we had hopping in Grandpa Dugan’s old car where we could peek through the floor boards and see the ground on our way to to Uncle Allen and Aunt Francis’s farm. Good stuff for a little “city girl” living in Nutley NJ.Thanks for such fond memories,Susan Dugan Burgermaster
Lauren – Great article by a fantastic individual. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I look forward to reading more whenever you post. I am truly grateful to know you and call you a friend!!
Steve, I’m grateful as well. Support makes things happen, especially from friends!
do you still work at HHH?