July 12, 2012 - Five Years Later

Today marks the five year anniversary of Tim's accident. When I asked Tim how he felt about that, and if he'd like to see a post of some sort on the blog, he said yes - and he would write it himself. So, what follows is his entry - I added some photos. Amy and I couldn't have said it better. Thank you - once again - for your support, encouragement, prayers, thoughts, positive energy, love, questions, visits, food, gifts, and time over these years. The initial donations to the Butters Fund - which we did not think we would need - allowed Tim to stay in Boston continously while we figured things out. Now, it's up and away for him.   



Thank you all for reading this. Thank you for remaining interested in my recovery, and for supporting me and my family. Thank you for checking in on what has been an almost unspeakably bizarre 5 years in my life.

I'm writing this on a sunny day, overlooking Card Pond (in West Stockbridge, where the accident happened). At one point this may have been an emotionally charged trip, but looking out over the lilypads and the smooth, cool water makes it difficult to be anything but tranquil. Though I'm still living in Boston for therapy, work and school, West Stockbridge is my home. I thank all of you who have done so much to make this little place the welcoming and nurturing town that I owe my life to.

For those who haven't seen me recently, I'm walking primarily with crutches. I haven't used a wheelchair in three years, but it's an ongoing effort to stay out of one. The left side of my body has mostly recovered; while it can still be spastic, it is strong and reliable. My right side is improving at a slower rate, but has not plateaued. This week. I started a program at Boston Medical Center. It is based on the excellent Reeve Foundation NRN which I attribute so much of my recovery to. I'll be outside the bounds of the study, so new devices, drugs and treatment modalities can be combined with the intense treadmill sessions to hopefully give me an even better outcome on my right side. I'll couple this with rowing, and the general benefit I take from actively walking in my day to day life. My medical team and I expect that I will continue to improve, so we're not yet ready to place limits on what my body will be capable of in the future.

Outside of my physical efforts, I've had incredible opportunities to learn about my injury from a clinical perspective. Dr. Allen Kantrowitz and Frank Reynolds are two among many who have been tremendous friends and mentors. Both of them have recognized my deep and genuine urge to understand neuroscience, and neither of them penalized me for my spotty academics. They have encouraged and guided my studies, and given me the confidence to take charge of my future using my intellect in a way I never had. These two men represent a small fraction of the goodwill that has been shown to me. In 2007 I was at my most vulnerable, and today I'm at my absolute strongest. My growth is a testament to the generosity and talents of you all, the people I'm proud to call friends and family - in the Berkshires, Boston and around the world.

I've also undertaken some volunteer efforts that have allowed me to stay in touch with the newly disabled as well as chronic victims of spinal cord injury. My perspective on this devestating condition reflects not only my trauma and limitations, but the severe losses my many friends have suffered. They've been my inspiration, and I hope to do them justice in my coming endeavors.

Despite this, no facet of my life has gone untouched by this accident. I've had a few indescribably painful and difficult periods. But through it all, I've been supported in such a way that my focus could remain on my rehabilitation. I'm so grateful for the sacrifices that have been made for me, espicially by my parents, Brian and Amy, and by my sister Jancy. I hope to see the second half of this decade bring the same good luck to myself and you all that I've been so very blessed to receive this far.

With love and immense gratitude,

Tim
www.facebook.com/Mr.Butterworth