Scott

My story started at Northwestern University Hospital in February 2014. I was on a temporary work assignment when I started experiencing very high fevers, headaches, and brain fog. I became very ill and couldn’t take care of myself.

As soon as I was able to travel, I flew home to Phoenix, AZ, and went right from the airport to my primary care physician’s (PCP) office. After examining me, he diagnosed me with valley fever meningitis and prescribed medication. It was at this time that I applied for disability due to the complications.

During this time, I went through many emergency room (ER) visits, hospital stays, and spinal taps. I then began having problems with my gait. I would be walking along when suddenly one foot would feel like it was stuck to the ground, and I would fall.

My PCP ordered a CT scan, an MRI, and another spinal tap. The MRI showed increased fluid in the ventricles of my brain. I was admitted to John C Lincoln Medical Center, and the next day, I was transferred to Barrow’s Neurological Institute, where they immediately performed ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery.

After surgery, I spent five weeks in the intensive care unit (ICU) before being moved to a regular room.

Once I was ready to leave the hospital, I was sent to a skilled nursing facility, where I worked with a therapist for one hour a day over the course of a week. From there, I continued my recovery at Encompass, a rehabilitation hospital, three days a week.

After spending a year paralyzed from the neck down, I’m able to use my left arm to wash my face and feed myself. Through many physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) sessions, I have regained the ability to walk with some assistance.

Today, I enjoy working with students preparing for careers in PT and OT, spending time in the classroom. I also give back to the community through fundraising, serving on the men’s spinal cord injury group, and participating on the advisory board for my insurance company.

I feel very fortunate to have the love and support of my family and friends, especially my husband, who is also my full-time caregiver. Without his support, none of this would be possible.

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