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 Hometown:
Worchester, MA
Injury Date: April 21,
2007
Diagnosis: T10
Update:
Lanyia Johnson has been participating at Journey
Forward since we opened in 2008. He has made tremendous
improvements on his overall strength since that
time. Specifically he has been able to strengthening
his quadriceps muscles, overcoming the tightness
in his hamstrings which have enabled him to straighten
his legs so that he can stand up straight and lock
his legs out. This has been particularly important
in regards to Lanyia’s gait training, allowing
him to lock out his legs functionally while taking
steps. Lanyia’s has continued to get an increase
in sensation, feeling a warm sensation in his quads
while working out and a pulsing sensation in feet
while specifically while doing weight bearing exercises.
Along with the increase in sensation and strength
of his quadriceps, Lanyia has also seen an increased
in strength of his hip flexors. This new strength
and sensation has added to Lanyia’s gait training.
We started doing Lanyia’s gait training with
the help of a walker and three specialists assisting
Lanyia through the full range. Today we are taking
steps on the treadmill with the aid of only two
specialists and minimal assistance when needed.
Also with the decrease in Lanyia’s spasms
he has also been able to work on crawling and controlling
his hip flexors through a full range of motion.
A new component to Lanyia’s gait training
now includes using our passive gait trainer which
produces a movement that mimics the natural gait
pattern in an upright position. This passive gait
trainer will help Lanyia in producing the necessary
repetitions needed to help his nervous system relearn
motor patterns associated with walking.
The spin bike is another area where Lanyia has greatly
improved. At first Lanyia needed the assistance
of two trainers to help him pedal through a full
range of motion on each leg. After about two months
with the program Lanyia was able to keep pedaling
the bike for a few minutes after the specialists
got it going for him. Now Lanyia is able to start
and stop the bike on his own power as well as changing
direction of the pedaling.
Before starting with Journey Forward Lanyia diagnosed
with scoliosis and was in threat of having to have
another surgery to repair and straighten his spine
again. At this point after over a year in our program
that threat of another surgery has all but diminished
leaving Lanyia’s scoliosis well under control
and in a more normal range. All of the gains and
progress that Lanyia has seen so far is contributed
to his hard work and determination, and we look
forward to helping Lanyia continue his Journey Forward.
Lanyia's Story:
April 21, 2007 would be a day that 13 year old Lanyia
would never forget. He was at his Aunt’s house
watching television with his cousin just before
they were about to leave to go and get some milk.
He was sitting up on the arm of the couch when everyone
heard a loud pop. His cousin, after looking over
at Lanyia, started going hysterical and shouting
that Lanyia was shot. A stray bullet had gone through
the doorframe and struck Lanyia in the back, leaving
him with a spinal cord injury at the T10 level.
At first Lanyia didn’t feel anything, until
it was brought to his attention, then he fell to
the ground, and he could not feel anything below
his waist. Hearing all the yelling, Lanyia’s
uncle came into the room and picked him up and placed
him on the couch before calling 911.
Lanyia, was sent to UMass Memorial, where he immediately
went into surgery. After his second surgery he asked
the doctor; “When am I going to walk again?”
The doctor responded; “What do you mean walk?”
It was at that point that Lanyia and his family
knew it was going to be a long and hard road from
here on out. Lanyia, discouraged but not out, started
rehab for the next 3 month with children half his
age. Rehab was tough, physically and mentally, for
Lanyia but he battled through and realized that
he was able to do more then he originally thought
he could. Soon after returning home Lanyia and his
family were enthused to hear that an intense exercise
based recovery program was opening up in the area.
A good friend of the family saw a story about Dan
Cummings and Journey Forward on the local news,
and told the family about it. After doing some research
and speaking with a few different people Lanyia
and his family decided that Journey Forward was
the place for him. Lanyia has been with us since
we opened our doors and continues to make improvements
as he strives to reach his goals.
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