Derek's Story
Spinal cord injury
Originally from Lakewood, California, Derek Brown enjoyed lifting weights, swimming, running, dirt biking, boating, camping and various other outdoor activities with his family.
But a sledding accident brought an abrupt end to his active lifestyle, leaving him with a spinal cord injury (SCI) and an uncertain future.
“Before my injury I was a high school history teacher and the head football coach of Bellflower high school,” he said. “I was very active with my wife and son, who is currently in sports here in Texas.”
Derek was sledding with his son when he hit a stack of hay bales, fracturing his C6 and C7 vertebrae upon impact.
“My diagnosis was pretty bleak [and I] was not expected to walk again,” he recalled. He was immediately taken to Kootenai Health in Idaho before he transferred to Craig Hospital in Colorado.
Once he stabilized at Craig, he received a recommendation to continue his rehabilitation journey at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation (BSWIR) - Frisco. Upon admission to BSWIR - Frisco, Derek faced significant challenges, including impaired mobility and independence.
“I was unable to walk and was barely able to move my arms,” he continued. “I was being taken care of as if I was a newborn baby. I was able to breathe on my own and eat, but that was about it.”
Derek's goals were to walk again, play sports with his son and be as active as he once was. Determined to return to this active lifestyle, Derek mentioned, "My goal was to recover, and I took the business of recovering very seriously."
Taking note of his goals, his interdisciplinary team of rehabilitation specialists at BSWIR - Frisco put a plan in place.
His physical therapists focused on regaining his strength to get him off the floor without assistance. They also wanted to get him ready for the annual 'Turkey Trot' with his family, so they utilized the treadmill and outdoor walking exercises to improve his endurance and confidence. One of Derek’s favorite activities was therapeutic boxing.
“I always felt that there was a plan for what we were doing that day, and I always felt that that plan was pushing me towards my goal,” he exclaimed. “People were very creative with my therapies and I never felt I was just doing something to do it. I always felt that they were planning things to help get me better. One of the things I enjoyed most was boxing. I thought it was a very creative and hard activity to do but I appreciated it because it helped me feel like an athlete again.”
His occupational therapists sought to create an active environment to improve his coordination, balance and reaction time. One of Derek's goals was to continue his coaching, so treatment sessions included setting up activities for other patients, getting all necessary equipment set out and verbalizing instructions for the activity. Derek also engaged in yoga, played pickle ball, corn hole and Wii. He participated in men's support groups, played catch in the courtyard with a football and practiced dribbling a soccer ball in the hallways.
Recreational therapy focused on getting Derek back into the community with an eye on his hobbies. Here, he went on supervised bike rides, boating and social engagements.
Besides therapy, Derek also attended counseling sessions where he talked about his future and set goals for post-rehabilitation.
He regularly participated in sessions for supportive treatment to process the experience and adapt to the new clinical environment. As he moved through the custom SCI MAX program, Derek's confidence improved, and he began to be supportive of others in similar environments.
"My rehab team was nothing short of perfect," Derek remarked. "They came to understand what my goals were and pushed me towards those goals. They were very open, honest and caring during the process of my rehabilitation. They all played a huge part in where I am today. I will be forever grateful for them and their help. It was the best team that I could've had. They all should be commended for how hard they worked and how caring they are!"
As he got closer to discharge, Derek remembered the difference his family made in his recovery. “My wife has been the main force with keeping me going, keeping me happy as well as keeping me focused,” he said. “Without her none of this would’ve been possible. My son is also a source of inspiration for me. He’s a great kid, and I want the best for him, and he goes out of his way to take care of me.”
As he reflected on his time at BSWIR - Frisco, he mentioned, “I don’t believe I could’ve been put in any better hands than the team that I was working with. It was very difficult to leave or exit the program because of the special bonds I made with so many people. When you get hit with these types of injuries, you were desperate for help, but when I went to Baylor, I felt that desperation disappear. They treated me as if I was uninjured and treated me in a way that made me feel human again.”
“There isn’t enough good things for me to say about Baylor Scott & White,” Derek exclaimed. “It is a fantastic program and one that helped me get on my feet again. The place truly is magical!”