Gray's Story

Spinal cord injury
Jesse “Gray” Bowen III, 75, a retiree, organist, and electronics expert from Dallas, enjoys repairing vintage audio receivers and Hammond organs. He worked in a piano and organ business for seven years before moving to Dallas in 1979 to work at Texas Instruments. After hours, while working at Texas Instruments, Gray was the organist for the Dallas Blackhawks minor league hockey team during the 1979/1980 season. The husband, father of two and grandfather to five, enjoys playing cards with his wife Renee and friends in addition to watching videos, reading current electronic articles and supporting all Dallas athletic teams.
Over the last five years, Gray has had multiple back surgeries to address spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the space in the backbone. He found himself facing new challenges after developing cauda equina syndrome, a severe compression of nerves in the lower spine. Gray recently experienced related bladder complications, an infection that required IV antibiotics, water around his lungs and incomplete paraplegia (partial paralysis in the legs) and was admitted to Baylor University Medical Center for treatment.
When he was medically stable, Jesse returned to Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation (BSWIR) - Dallas for the third time to regain his mobility and independence.
“I’ve always had great care at Baylor,” Jesse said. “I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
Having been through the process before, he was prepared to set goals. He explained: “When I got here the first time after my spinal cord injury in 2022, I didn’t know what to expect. I think, everyone with chronic conditions… needs a refresher as these conditions can have life-long impact and secondary complications.”
His goals were to manage his self-care and to strengthen his legs so that he could walk with confidence. When Gray arrived at BSWIR - Dallas, he required significant assistance for basic tasks such as walking, dressing and transferring from one spot to another. Getting up from the floor, a crucial ability for repairing electronics, was important to Gray.
Gray’s physician-led rehabilitation team included physical and occupational therapists focused on improving his mobility and helping him regain independence in daily tasks.
Under the careful attention of his physical therapists, Gray began treatment to strengthen his legs, refine his walking technique and improve his balance. He practiced walking with a rolling walker and did several standing, squatting and endurance exercises. Gray also took part in aquatic therapy, benefiting from performing key exercises that took advantage of the water's buoyancy and natural resistance. By the time he was discharged, he could walk household distances with a rolling walker and minimal assistance.
In occupational therapy sessions, Gray learned different positions and tools that helped him dress independently. “I was shown how to use the dressing stick and reacher so I could hook my pants and get my legs through; they showed me to put on my socks and shoes from a wheelchair level rather than bed to help support my posture,” he said. His therapy included stretching and exercises to promote flexibility and strength so he could more easily do every day activities. When he discharged, Gray was able to dress himself independently and transfer between surfaces with little to no help.
Spinal cord injury education provided a refresher on the nature of the injuries as well as caregiver training. Gray and Renee learned how to break down a wheelchair and get it in and out of the car with ease, making community outings easier.
Gray credited the team at BSWIR - Dallas for fostering a supportive, encouraging atmosphere. “The therapists want you to leave every session feeling positive,” he said. “If you didn’t have a good session, they’d say, ‘We’ll do this again tomorrow.’ They make you feel good about yourself.”
He also found strength in the community around him. Fellow patients and therapists alike offered encouragement, celebrating each milestone as he proudly hit many of them.
“I am stronger than when I came in here, I am able to walk 150 feet, I am able to do more with my legs and arms,” he said. “I am dressing myself fully, getting in and out of bed with very little help, walking with rolling walker the length of a football field without needing rest break, and managing all my personal care with good technique.”
Now back home, Gray is continuing his recovery at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Outpatient Therapy to ensure his progress continues. He remains committed to the work, including strengthening his legs, improving his balance and smoothly transferring out of his wheelchair without a walker.
Happily, he and his wife go on dates twice a week. “It’s good to be able to get into and out of the car to get out,” he said. “I’m more positive on where I am - versus where I was.”