Pleasanton, CA February 13, 2008 – SCI-FIT is first exercise-based therapy for people with spinal cord injury and other neurological disorders in northern California 1031 Serpentine lane Pleasanton, CA 94566.
SCI-FIT opened its doors in Pleasanton, CA in September 2007. They have 15 clients enrolled in their program, and hope to add six more by the end of February. Each client has an individualized program,and works out one-on-one up to 6 hours per week with the specialists on staff. The mission of SCI-FIT is to provide the most comprehensive, post-traditional, exercise-based therapy for those individuals who have suffered a debilitating injury. SCI-FIT maximizes the potential for each individual suffering from spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders by utilizing strategic exercises and providing the proper stimulation for an optimal functional outcome.
While vacationing in Maui, lifelong Bay Area resident and businessman suffered a traumatic paralyzing injury. While in the water Dan Dumas turned to admire the coastal view when a wave pushed him to the floor of the ocean snapping his neck. Dan was unable to move anything below his shoulders. He spent a month recovering in ICU after the doctors fused four of his cervical vertebrae, and another three months in the hospital doing acute physical therapy. While in the hospital, he was repeatedly told he would never walk again, let alone move anything below his level of injury-- he was unable to feed himself or dress himself at this point. Dan and his wife Annabelle refused to believe this. Together, determined to prove these statements wrong, they searched for alternative methods to treating spinal cord injuries. “I refused to accept I would never gain any independence back, I had to believe there was a chance for improvement", Dan said as he reflected on his time in the hospital.
One week after being discharged from the hospital, Dan and Annabelle relocated to Southern California so Dan could start an intense exercise–based recovery program. Dan began working out two hours a day, five days a week, while still wearing his neck brace. After the first month of intense exercising, Dan saw huge improvements. Within three months he had gained enough strength and functionality to feed and dress himself again. By the sixth-month mark, Dan took his first steps with a walker. When Dan returned to the Bay Area in March 2007, he gave up using his wheelchair and focused on using a walker full time. In July 2007, two years after his injury, Dan began using only crutches to walk and continues to work toward his goal of walking without any aids.
Dan and Annabelle believe his injury happened for a reason. They know first-hand how expensive and
Spinal Cord Injury. Dan Dumas kneeling without assistance
Picture Caption:
Simonson does weighted full sit ups.
Exercise Therapy
difficult it is to leave the support and comfort of home in order to relocate for this type of intensive therapy. They also know how important exercise is to those who have suffered a spinal cord injury. Without an intense exercise program, Dan would never have known the potential his body had for recovery. Dan has been given the gift of walking again, and he and Annabelle would like to give back to the community in which they grew up. For these reasons they have decided to co-found SCI-FIT (Spinal Cord Injury Functional Integrated Therapy) and provide the opportunity for others within the Bay Area region to reach their full potential. Sean Simonson, a member of the Milpitas Fire Department, is grateful to have a program like this nearby, “exercise-based therapy has created an avenue for me to gain my independence. As a C6-C7 quadriplegic I am now often confused with the ability level of a paraplegic. I owe a portion of my recovery to this type of therapy.”
For more information contact Bianca Clinch by phone: 510.908.4498,
by email: info@sci-fit.org or visit www.SCI-FIT.org
Mailing and street address:
SCI-FIT 1031 Serpentine Lane Ste 103, Pleasanton, CA 94566
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