Eric Hoyos coral springs, Fl, United States

C3, C4 burst, C5, April 2006

My name is Eric Hoyos, a former lifeguard, EMT, and licensed firefighter. I am 38 years old and recently became a quadriplegic. On April 16, 2006 I dove head first into Lake Ida, injuring my C3, C4, and C5. Several doctors told my family that I would be on a ventilator for the rest of my life, and that I would have no movement from the neck down. Both my family and I have little hope of a bright future. However, not willing to settle for a dim prognosis my family and I searched for other alternatives. We found a doctor in Argentina who is having great success with adult stem cell research. I traveled overseas in October of 2006 and opted for a procedure of my own stem cells to be implanted at the level of my injury. Along with the procedure and intense therapy I now have movement in both arms, and continue to make improvements on a daily basis.