Po wypadku motocyklowym miał 1% szans na chodzenie

A young man from Washington who suffered a near-fatal motorcycle accident has taken to TikTok to help others affected by spinal cord injury. 25-year-old Danny Soltys of Seattle was given a 1% chance of walking after he broke his neck on 10 May 2017. "It was a beautiful sunny Wednesday afternoon. I left school on my motorcycle to meet up with my friends, who were waiting for me to join them on a ride. As I rode towards my friends, a car in front of me took a quick left turn to beat the oncoming traffic. The turn caught me off guard despite using a signal, and I collided with the car's front fender," shared Danny. "The impact sent me flying approximately 35 feet, and I landed on a nearby hill, rolling into a small water creek. I was face down in the water when an off-duty firefighter was nearby. Pedestrians quickly rushed to the scene, pulling me from the creek to the road, where help could reach me." Danny said he didn't feel any pain and was slipping in and out of consciousness when the ambulance arrived and rushed him to the hospital. "My injuries were severe and extensive. The impact of the crash resulted in a broken neck, specifically at the C4-C5 vertebrae, causing a spinal cord injury that left me paralysed below the shoulders. I suffered broken ribs, a torn pelvis from the force against the gas tank, a shattered right-hand wrist, a broken leg, and a fractured hip. Along with these physical injuries, I also experienced a brain concussion," he explained. The combination of Danny's injuries significantly altered his life. Doctors gave him just a 1% chance of ever walking again. He continued: "I managed to keep hope alive by trusting my faith. I was determined to conquer any obstacle that came my way, knowing that with the right mindset and effort, I could achieve remarkable things. Instead of dwelling on sadness or giving up, I channelled my energy into working my hardest at every moment. I refused to waste any time being depressed or defeated, preferring to give my all in the present, knowing that I had the power to shape a brighter future." Over the weeks that followed, Danny started physical therapy while in the hospital and, once discharged, pushed himself every day in the gym and at home with tailored workouts for spinal cord injury recovery. Top of Form "My biggest challenge was dealing with intense pain throughout my body during therapy sessions. Then came the challenge of struggling to do everyday tasks we take for granted, like picking things up, brushing my teeth and feeding myself. I had to relearn fundamental skills such as the alphabet, solving puzzles, and other cognitive tasks," said Danny. "There were many days when I felt completely overwhelmed and wasn't making any progress. I stayed motivated by focusing on the future. Having my family around, cheering me on in the hospital, and pushing me through those tough gym and therapy sessions meant the world to me. Our prayer nights were a huge boost, keeping me focused on what's ahead. Their energy and grit gave me strength, and I kept at it, knowing well that this was a marathon, not a sprint. I told myself that every hurdle was a chance to get tougher and bounce back even stronger." A significant breakthrough moment in Danny's spinal cord injury recovery journey occurred when, against all odds, he took his first steps just seven months after the injury, defying the prognosis of permanent paralysis. This milestone not only marked a physical triumph but also ignited a renewed sense of hope. "I'm currently using standing frames to help me stand upright. They also help promote bone health, circulation and muscle activation. I'm also undergoing stem cell regeneration to help regenerate the nerves in my legs," noted Danny. "I know I've still got a long way to go, but I see every new day as a gift." Danny took to TikTok to share his recovery journey in the hopes of inspiring others affected by spinal cord injury not to give up hope. "I hope my story can light a spark in someone else going through a tough time. It's about showing that there's a way forward, even on the darkest days. If my journey can help just one person feel less alone and more hopeful, then sharing the ups and downs is worth it. Remember, it's not about the fall but how you get back up," he concluded. Featuring: Danny Soltys When: 06 Mar 2024 Credit: @dannysoltys_/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUPPLIER.**