Findings from Brucker Biofeedback

I finally get to share a complete update from our journey to Florida for Deborah to undergo 3 weeks of Brucker Biofeedback. The results are very promising. It was confirmed that Deborah's injury is NOT "Complete" like she was told definitively by doctors 18 years ago! From the full, 3-page report we received from the Brucker Biofeedback Institute:

At L2-4 (lower back), initial measurements of 4 percent of normal bilaterally were able to be increased to 6 percent of normal. The hip flexors initially showed only trace responses of voluntary motor neuron recruitment and they were able to be increased to 2 percent of normal. The quadriceps initially showed no voluntary motor neuron recruitment and were able to be increased to 2 percent of normal with spasm. Overall, it is apparent that Ms. Akbar has an incomplete spinal cord injury at C7 with substantial amount of long term motor neuron recovery. She has responded to the EMG Biofeedback procedures extremely well gaining significant increases in voluntary motor neuron recruitment to the muscles below the level of her spinal cord injury particularly the upper extremities and trunk. As a result of these increases of voluntary motor neuron recruitment it will now be possible for Ms. Akbar to gain substantial increases in strength and function with an aggressive exercise and therapy program.

We have already consulted an exercise physiologist and had our doctor refer us to a specialized physical therapy center that has the EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) and quadrisizer to exercise Deborah's leg muscles as recommended in the Brucker Biofeedback report:

The paraspinal muscles had major gains and back extension exercises such as
leaning forward and bringing the back into extension should result in
significantly greater strength. The hip flexors and quadriceps now show some voluntary motor neuron recruitment and exercises to strength these such as attempts at knee extension and hip flexion with assistance would be recommended. Also, electrical stimulation used on these muscle groups would be helpful.

Deborah is already working hard on her own exercising her upper body and torso to continue gaining strength. She is also dieting fairly strictly with the goal of losing enough weight to be able to support her weight with her arms for when she is ready to use leg braces and a walker.

Deborah is as determined as ever to continue this amazing journey!

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers!

We are down to our last 2 days (2 more biofeedback sessions) here in Florida! (We are leaving Friday, 3/28).

We had limited Internet access (I am in a Miami-Dade Public Library writing this) so I apologize about not sending info before this.

The progress that Deborah is making is so exciting. They started testing and exercising her shoulders and worked all the muscles down her arms then started working on the back muscles. The idea is to give her as much immediate improvement in mobility as possible, improving balance and arm strength.

We have found that Deborah has strong nerve signals far below the level of her injury, meaning that the damage was definitely not "complete" as her doctors originally told her. A couple or the therapist said that they have never seen anyone with an injury at her level (C7 - C8, cervical/neck area) have such strong nerve activity so low down the spine (L2-L4, lumbar area) is still quite strong. The outlook for her future mobility looks very good. Tomorrow we will find what kind of impulses she has in her upper legs.

We are learning exercises and movements that will strengthen her to have much more balance and motion. I am already helping to stand Deborah up as she bears a small amount of resistance on her legs. The DREAM Continues!

Please continue your thoughts and prayers! We can't wait to share more success!

In Honor of Dr. Bernard Brucker (1946 - 2008)

Deborah and I would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Bernard Brucker on the news of his passing on February 16.

He was the founder and director of the Brucker Biofeedback Center and developed the Brucker Biofeedback method of using electromyography (EMG) feedback techniques, that helped patients' brains reconnect with their bodies.

He was also one of the founders and the original co-director of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.

We had looked forward to meeting Dr. Brucker on our trip to Florida on March 10 as he made a practice of greeting each patient of his treatment center personally. Dr. Brucker will be greatly missed and the medical community has lost a great pioneer.

Dr. Brucker's work will continue at the numerous rehabilition centers he helped to found.

http://www.miamiherald.com/512/story/422291.html

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Updated February 26, 2008. Deborah and I would like to take this time to thank everyone who has so generously donated so far to our efforts to have Deb receive treatment at the Brucker Biofeedback Institute in Miami, FL. We cannot express enough our heart felt gratitude for the support you all have shown and can only pray that we will make the most of it and deliver an unforgettable tale of triumph before this grand journey is finished. Below is the list of donors as of the date of this posting. Special thanks go out to Mr. Joe Schroeder for lending his considerable voice and support to our cause. May the Peace and Blessings of God be with you all.

Sharon Battle
Catherine Conwell
Terrance Conwell
SourceCon Corporation
Afri Creations
Cyndi Dawson
JoAnn Donahue
Good Harmony Enterprises
Barbie Figueroa
Lakesha Ford
Debora Gabinet
Pearl Gaines
Chris Galloway
Angel Garcia
Lee Green
Hussein Hill
Diane Hochman
Dave Ireland
Karl Johnson
Derrick Jones
Victor Kalman
Joe Knaack
Ilias Kone
Angela Lester
Mike Litman
Gaye Lowenstein
Gung Ho Marketing
Way Out Marketing
PJM Internet Marketing
Doug Middleton
Debra Morrison
Adrian Pope
Ed Pratt
Counter Racism
Donald Robinson, eSkills Inc.
Joe Schroeder
Tony Seawright
Dr.Phil Sebastian
Dr. Mike Shapiro
Jimmy Smith
Jill St. James
Nick Talladino
Enterprise Technologies
Vera Waters
Brian Winfield


We would also like the thank the following talk shows and hosts for interviewing Deborah:
Tommy Webb - webbradio.com

Hussein Hill - Oral Buffet, NBBTA.org/channel2.htm

Louie Jones - WCFJ 1470 AM, Chicago

Lovely Brown - Sistah Talk, blogtalkradio.com

Alonzo Brown - AASAP Radio, blogtalkradio.com

El & Syl - The El & Syl Variety Show, blogtalkradio.com

Global Influence, blogtalkradio.com

Carla Barnes - Inspire "You" Series, blogtalkradio.com

An Hour to Empower, blogtalkradio.com

Gregory & Brian - I Believe, blogtalkradio.com

Sound Off Now, blogtalkradio.com

Pop Wiz - blogtalkradio.com

In Her Own Words

I thought I would share with you an interview that Deborah did with Tommy Webb on webbradio.com. In it, she talks more in depth about the Brucker Biofeedback treatment and what it has done for thousands of patients with neurological damage.



Peace, Love and Abundant Blessing to you all!

The Start of Something Huge

Sometimes the pursuit of a personal goal or dream begins to take on a life of its own, becoming bigger than what we originally asked for. It’s not always true that you have to see exactly what it is that you want to happen before starting a journey, sometimes what you are to become or what you are supposed to do comes to you. William Shakespeare, in Twelfth Night said, "Be not afraid of greatness, some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." I truly believe that greatness is being thrust Deborah's way. Her pursuit to walk again has grown from focusing on just her own well being to becoming a mission to help as many people as she can and to spread the word as far and as wide as she can about the procedure that has shown much promise in helping people with all types of neurological damage.

The Brucker Biofeedback has gone overlooked for almost 30 years even though it boasts a 98% success rate in providing at least some improvement in muscle control to its patients. Even yoga and acupuncture, certainly no where near as clinically proven, have a greater acceptance in the medical community than this procedure. Deb's search for her own improvement has now become a quest to broaden awareness of Brucker Biofeedback, increase the scope of its clinics and raise money for individuals who might not otherwise afford treatment. Upon completion of her treatment in March, regardless of her personal outcome, we intend and are taking steps to establish the First Step-Next Step Foundation to further these causes. Any funds raised in excess of the cost of Deb's treatment will go for this purpose. She and I both feel that it is a shame and a travesty that people with neurological damage might be doomed by their doctor or medical coverage to accept life with major limitations when there might be an option that could give them back most if not all of their physical functioning.

I know I am somewhat going out on a limb discussing this at such an early stage, especially when we are still trying to secure funds for Deb's treatment, but I feel that the sooner we begin to get out the message the better. I will soon be sharing with you more of Deb's specific efforts toward this worthy cause.