This is a picture of Gabe with his original four nurses (from left) Molly, Amanda, Wendy, and Alli. Throughout the year, these four wonderful caregivers earned the nickname "Gabe's Babes".
Gabriel Twining is an athletic nineteen-year-old from Bellingham, Washington, who attends the University of Portland, a Catholic school.
Early in the morning on March 4th, 2007, Gabe fell from a lofted bed and landed on his head, shattering his 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae. He soon realized that he could no longer feel or move his body. The doctor said that Gabe was completely paralyzed from the neck down, and would be for life.
A young man of unparalleled faith, Gabe is determined to not only move, but to walk again. He has already shown incredible resilience and is able to move his arms and feel most of his fingers. On May 25th he started at Project Walk, a spinal cord injury exercise rehabilitation program in Beaverton, Oregon. Gabe believes that Project Walk is his best chance for continued improvement. Visit the site at www.ProjectWalk.org to follow his progress and to view his video.
The Twining family has extensively researched various experimental therapies, and the many clinical studies to cure spinal cord injury that are in progress. Although some of them show promise for a future cure, none of them are currently effective. It is important for Gabe's muscles to stay in good shape so that he can benefit if a cure is discovered, which is a secondary goal of Project Walk.
For Gabe to continue to fight the long battle ahead will require the continued prayers and support of his family, friends, and those in the community.
The Twining family is so very thankful for the outpouring of compassion from all of you.
April 23, 2008
I know, IT'S ABOUT TIME! Life has a way of taking over and taking up all of our time. So the long awaited update....drum roll please.
A few months ago Gabe increased his workouts at Project Walk to three hours duration. The workouts now include a gait trainer and FES (functional electrical stimulator) bike. The FES bike sends electrical current through the legs, causing the muscles to contract. This gives a cardiovascular workout and prevents the leg muscles from becoming atrophied.
Through hard work, persistence, and determination, Gabe continues to get stronger and learn to do new things with the function that he has. He can shave, eat and drink for himself, and even use a computer keyboard and can text message on a cell phone. It's a bit slow, but that's OK.