Allen's Story

Allen's Story

My cousin Allen Staller who has become a paraplegic in August 2005. He was wadding in the Atlantic Ocean down at Atlantic City. It was his first vacation in years. Little did he know that it would be his last?
The under toe was strong that day, there was a storm further down the cost. He was hit by a small wave that knock him down, while he tried to get up a stronger and larger wave hit him knocking him down again. It would be that last time he would get to his feet. For those who are around the Philadelphia area, he is now in Moss Rehabilitation center trying to get his upper body movement back aging so he could at least feed himself and get around in a wheelchair. He is doing better but has a long and expensive way to go. In the future I would like to add a link for tax free donation not just for him but for all people with spaniel injuries.
Please be careful when you or your love one's go into rough waters, I would not like to see any person or family go through what Allen is going through now just because of a wave.

The story as Allen tells it

I was injured in an accident on August 2, 2005. While at the shore in Atlantic City, I was hit by a wave from behind as I stood knee deep in the ocean water. The impact of a second wave flipped me and threw me to the bottom where I hit the bridge of his nose.

On impact I was immediately paralyzed while face down in the water. A nearby man pulled me out of the water which saved me from drowning. On Sunday. August 7, I went into respiratory difficulty as well as full paralysis due to swelling around the spinal cord. An emergency tracheotomy was done bedside, and I was placed on a respirator.


My brother had me transferred to Jefferson University Medical center from the Atlantic City Hospital on August 8, 2005. After an immediate MRI, the diagnosis of torn anterior ligaments between C4 and CS with a partial subjugation (dislocation) of the spinal cord was made. The next day I was taken into surgery where a surgical tracheotomy and posterior fusion of the cord was completed. The following week the fusion was again done, this time from the anterior area. I remained at Jefferson Hospital i9n Philadelphia for approximately 8 weeks before being transferred to Magee Rehabilitation. After a few days there I was rushed back to Jefferson with a urinary tract infection and pneumonia. I remained at Jefferson for approximately 3 more weeks. as his bed at Magee was utilized for someone else after 2 weeks had passed.

In Early December, I again went to Magee Rehabilitation for therapy. I remained there until late January when his insurance would no longer cover it due to the lack of progress being made by me. In December an application for Inglis House was summited. This is a long term care facility which specializes in wheelchair bound individuals. There they train the people to make the most use they can of their limbs. as well as give intensive therapy to help them regain as much use of their extremities as is possible. This enables them to become functioning individuals whenever possible. Unfortunately the waiting list for this facility is 12 to 15 months long.

Since I could not get in at this time, the social worker at Magee found placement at Andorra Woods Healthcare Facility. They have done their best with me to their ability but they do not have the technical expertise or physical facilities to help me. It is a nursing home not a Rehabilitation facility.

In conclusion

This is the plight of many people who become paraplegic. There is no help for them even with insurance. Steam cell may help them in the future but they need help now! My cousin was a healthy strong 54 year old man, now he lives in pain every day of his life. He depends upon others strangers to help him do everything but this does not have to be.
Herb A Krantz
Help him and others give to the Christopher Reeves Foundation.
http://www.christopherreeve.org

P.S. As this is being written my cousin Allen was rushed to the Hospital again for the fifth time with a height fever of 102. He has another infection in his body form just laying around.

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