One man's challenge What do you do when the unthinkable happens? ! If you're Michael Miner you learn to adapt Miner 36 will always remember July 10, 1990 That was the day he broke his neck in a boating acci dent On Pyramid Lake near Reno, Nr'v paraly? mq himself from the shoulders down For someone 6 feet 4 inches tall, 230 pounds, and very active in snow skiing and boating, paralysis came a' a hammer blow He spent a month in the intensive care unit, undergoing three operations He went through crisis alter < risis once receiving 11 pints of blood alter a stress ulcer in his stomach ruptured A chartered flight took him to Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene where the more difficult part of his recov ery began three months of learning how to adapt Now less than a year alter his it iderit, Mima is a true sum ess story I'm doing OK Miner • aid I m upset bei ause I'm not up and walking Realisti ally. I ks that s a long way oft. but I'm not going to guit try mg After eight month:, of three-times a week physical therapy at Sacred Heart Miner has made remarkable progress He s regained the use of his aims though his hands still haven't reached full mobility The mu:, ties in his back and along his ' rise are starting to firm up, giving Miner a measure of control above the waist Don Douglas his physical there} ist said Miner is an easy patient to work with A lot of people in his position < an t problem solve ways to move their bodies Douglas said He can I or someone his si/e, tie s S ang well At this point it s easy on me be< ause he • lomg most of the work though grueling. Miner said he looks forward to tus physical therapy sessions be' ause it s all going to ward recovery I've already accepted the position I m in but I don t CDs and TAPES Buy Sell • Trade ITIusic Fieuolutior 1217 Alder dwell on it Miner said Recovery is frustrating when there are interruptions, like when I hurt my shoulder or get sick 'There are certain things I can t do right now but I won't be denied The frustrations come in many forms On May 6 his insurance company informed him it was cutting off his attendant aide care which pays for having an atten dant in his home four hours a day. six days a week Miner depends on his attendant to help him out around the house so he promptly got on the phone and after haggling with the insurance company, got himself another 130 days ot attendant care a little more than four months worth. But Miner doesn't let the distractions interrupt his therapy (Miner) doesn t sit there and say I'm going to walk and not work, Douglas said It's his personality He's always pushing himself No one knows your body like yourself. Miner saiu I'll never say die He credits most of his recovery and his upbeat state nl mind to his family He and his wife ot four years. Ruth have two young t hildren Kyle and Kailey. and live 20 miles out of Eugene on five acres near Fern Ridge Reservoir My family was the only thing that kept me alive. Miner said Its everything Without them Id still work hard on my PT, but I'd have a different frame of mind They are my strength Miner ailinit* having young i hildmn ami living tar out of town does present problems, but he has found ways to get around the limitations j I II fight to keep my marriage he said I m not go ing to let my condition ruin the love I have for my farm iy I try I p< I as much time as [ with my kids. 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' etn Therapist Don Douglas uses a model spine to help de fine the rehabilitation ot Miner's lower back and hip (topi Part of the therapy process involves the development of wheelchair skills to so that he can get around city streets Douglas stands ready in case a wheelie goes too tar .'-.'it With a cry ot "I'll race you,' Miner tries to beat the children's dune buggy up the driveway as wife Ruth looks on. ifar left) Miner takes as active a role as possible in domestic affairs, here tending to Kyle's cut linger while answering the telephone Story by Don Peters Photos by Andre Ranieri USE YOUR VISA OR MASTERCARD BUSCH BEER Full case cans PEPSI FAMILY $4 48 6 Pack cans fl +dep $7&8 ■ ♦ (lop Pepsi pepsi Wa Pepsi BE SURE TO COME IN AND CHECK OUT THE BEST HEALTH FOOD & NATURAL FOOD DEPARTMENT IN TOWN! , rAZm.rjiMg Chris Large White Eggs #993 expires 5/21/91 i [17 COBURG RD HOURS 7a.m.-11p.m. 7 DAYS A WEEK 683-8670 AD EFFECTIVE 5/14/91 THRU 5/21/91