Determined to Walk Again, One Man's Miracle Road Built on Positivity

38-year-old Edward Rose from Troy, New York, was a very lucky man when the motorcycle he was driving landed in a ditch one very early summer morning in July 2023. Mr. Rose wasn’t drunk or moving at a high rate of speed. Instead, it was about 5 am as he traveled to work at a Target warehouse in Wilton, New York. Rose said he just fell asleep and didn’t remember the accident at all; instead, he remembers waking up at Albany Medical Center, where he spent the next twelve days.

Edward suffered a spinal cord injury at T12, a vital part of the body, which is the thoracic vertebrae that runs from T2 through T12, and an injury in that area can be crucial because it is the primary connection between the brain and the legs. Doctors and therapists at Albany Medical Center and at the two rehabilitation facilities where Edward spent time, Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady and Fulton Center in Gloversville, felt strongly that the chances of Ed walking again were slim. This type of injury typically results in paraplegia, which is the loss of sensation and movement in the legs and the lower body.

Following the twelve days at Albany Med, Edward was transferred to Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital where, although the therapy was excellent, he caught the bacteria infection Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA. From there, it was back to Albany Medical to treat the bacteria, but then another complication. Mr. Rose was diagnosed with HO or Non-Genetic Heterotopic Ossification. Heterotopic Ossification (HO) occurs when bone tissue develops in your soft tissues, and often, people get HO after an injury or major surgery. HO then caused Edward’s hips to lock up, which led to hip surgery and recovery during the first two months of 2024.

Finally by late February, he returned to Sunnyview for Occupational Therapy at Physical Therapy and then on February 27, to Fulton Center for sub-acute rehabilitation therapy, where he thrived. Therapists at that 176-bed skilled nursing facility loved having Edward around; he always made them laugh, and this is because Ed truly believed that even though working hard in rehab meant everything, he always liked to bring a sense of humor and lightheartedness with him. In April, therapists still weren’t optimistic about Edward being able to walk again and nearly concluded that sadly that he was going to be a paraplegia at such a young age.

“To have these thoughts of never being able to walk again is very tough,” said Rose. “I’ve heard of these people getting shot in the back and their future didn’t look good but you hear later on that they are on crutches, so you never know. It could go either way.”

Sensation in his lower extremities was felt very little in some areas, but all the way down to his legs, there wasn’t feeling. Ed didn’t want to take that thought of never to walk again as being the final word. He continued to work hard in the therapy room and with him of course, his positive attitude became who he was about so he continued to bring sunshine to the therapy room Fulton Center. Ed also looked at life past Fulton Center where he was looking to live with his father in a community where his dad would be his caretaker, among other aides. Both his mother and father visited Ed consistently and those visits increased his strength in order to carry on with his strong determination.

“I am so thankful and grateful to Fulton Center and especially to Natalie and Angelo,” said Rose. “PT and OT here are amazing. We’re always laughing and having a good time doing it. It is a chore but I try to make it like it’s not a chore. I try to make everyone around me have a good time. Good time means better progress, and you want to do more. They do a great job, they push me, and they try to get me to reach for things, and they make it a challenge, but that’s what they do so I can get better. I just want to get better.”

This determination continued throughout the spring and summer of 2024, and by June into July, it was documented that he started feeling more in his lower half. Moving his toes and legs started small, but nevertheless, it was very positive. In August, these movements continued to increase, and amazingly, a possible but realistic discharge was in the talks.

“What happened with Ed Rose isn’t something you see every day,” said Fulton Center Rehabilitation Director Salina Kopp. “He literally made incredible strides to walk again and just to see before his discharge that he was taking steps, it was almost mind-blowing. He is a perfect example of the important combination of self-determination with professional rehabilitation, working together to achieve a great outcome.”

With the continued help and strong encouragement from his physical therapist Angelo and Occupational Therapist Natalie, Ed continued his strong progress and it was determined that on September 18, 2024, Ed would be discharged home and that’s exactly what happened. Ed was discharged to his brother’s house just north of Troy, along with home health services who continue to work with him. All in all, an excellent outcome for someone who has made miracle progress.

“Ed’s story is so encouraging,” said Fulton Center’s Director of Social Service Amy Blanc. “When he was here, he was making these plans saying when I get out, I will do this and that and the staff needed to keep a positive outlook, even though the cards were stacked against him. But when it was all said and done, Ed defied those thoughts of never. Good for him.”