Alex Pitts Nazareth, PA

C6C7 Complete SCI, August 2000

As a physical therapist educated about disabilities, I thought I understood what it meant to live with a disability. It was not until one of my twins suffered a C6C7 complete SCI during delivery that I realized I did not. Not until I began caring for Alex 24 hours per day, 7 days a week did I fully appreciate what having a disability entails. My understanding has increased exponentially. Though Alex is significantly limited physically, he is bright, creative, and has a wonderful personality. Even at 6 years old he is a great problem solver who is able to get a task done one way or another. He utilizes multiple strategies until he gets it right!

I believe persistence and hope are the key words for those living with spinal cord injuries. Research provides us evidence that a cure is possible; we just need reinforced support and increased financial backing. Let us use Alex’s perseverance to continue fighting this battle so that all people with disabilities have a chance to persist in being healthy, enhance their abilities, improve their quality of life, and maybe even get rid of their wheelchairs for good. How I would love this for my son!