Mastrocola: I can move my legs! [Archive]

450Racer

10-09-2006, 08:00 PM

Well, at 3:50pm today, I did it. My therapists documented that I contracted my left and right quadricept muscles. I have no idea what to say or think. I am shocked. I tried sooo hard and thought about it for so long and it happened. I have been doing muslce stimulation, the auto ambulator, walking on leg braces, stretching, chiropractor, everything. and it worked :)

I also have 100% movement to my waist in the back. I have my top 2 abs back, and about 20% of my other abs to my waist. I have about 20% of my hip muscles and my muscles. I can also feel pressure in my left and right knees.

At first, I was concidered a "complete injury" meaning they doctors gave me a 0% chance of ever regaining ANY feeling below my chest, movement, temperature, light touch or anything.

Then my surgeon diagnosed me as an "incomplete injury" and said i had a 15% of regaining insignificant movement and half of 1% to regain significant feeling.

So far, I've proved every diagnosis wrong and will continue to do so until I can ride a 450 again. I have walked up to 100 feet on leg braces by myself by 3 attempts (33 feet each). I attached a picture of the walking machine I've been doing. I would just like to thank every one of you here at atvriders.com for keeping me positive. I will do my best to give all that help back someday whenver I'm able to. You all are what is what is keeping me trying. Without the support I probalby wouldn't tbe able to make it. Thanks everybody and god bless!

-Anthony Mastrocola #17

Jake250ex

10-09-2006, 08:03 PM

holy hell man your a trooper. youll be back to were you were!

10-09-2006, 08:05 PM

i am very happy to hear that ur proving the doctors wrong and are on your way to riding again. congratulations

honduh440

10-09-2006, 08:05 PM

congrats. i bet the hard work payin off feels good

jrspawn

10-09-2006, 08:07 PM

Good work man! With your determination and all the prayers behind you, before you know it youll be back on the 450. I cant stress how happy i am to here that!

Justin

gbcap

10-09-2006, 08:15 PM

when there is a will there is a way. if you know you can get better you will!!!

FHKracingZ

10-09-2006, 08:17 PM

wow man that is awsome, glad to hear your doing great.. i bet this makes jeremiah feel awsome to !

10-09-2006, 08:18 PM

Congrats man!

Glad to hear your getting back on your R.
Be safe man.

400exrules

10-09-2006, 08:22 PM

nice!!! thats good news! keep it up, dont give up!

Mxjunkie

10-09-2006, 08:31 PM

Giver hell Ant :macho with the additude you have you'll be riding again in no time..

JJs450r

10-09-2006, 08:38 PM

good new man good news glad too hear your comming along good luck with everything

MX450

10-09-2006, 08:39 PM

DUDE thats awsome!! Keep up the hard work and keep provin em wrong:macho

Doober

10-09-2006, 09:16 PM

dude that is awesome, keep proving them wrong:D

CannondaleRider

10-09-2006, 09:32 PM

That is awesome to hear.....I hope you keep progressing and get back on the quad

coolguy8769

10-09-2006, 09:40 PM

great news Anthony!! i already talk to u on Aim so no need to say it twice lol

hopefull i'll meet up with u at the ATVA banquet, havn't desided if i'm goin yet. you me and JJ we'll be chillin with the broken backs:p

WhiteYFZ

10-09-2006, 10:00 PM

Originally posted by Jake250ex
holy hell man your a trooper. youll be back to were you were!

took the words out of my mouth.

firefighterjosh

10-09-2006, 10:05 PM

That is awesome. I was just reading a article with you and JJ in a mag today.

sly400ex

10-09-2006, 10:45 PM

Keep up the hard work bro!;)

awsomeaussies

10-09-2006, 11:05 PM

That is sooo awesome to hear! I guess your proving everybody wrong that didn't think you'd ever walk again. A few years ago I broke my back and my femur... and it was diffenitly the hardest time of my life and I was one of the lucky ones that didn't loose any feeling. So my props to you buddy. Keep on doing what your doing, cause it's obviously working. lol And keep us posted!

jjames/jlawson

10-10-2006, 04:14 AM

GREAT job Anthony.............or should I say SUPERMAN......
YOU are unstoppable.......keep up the hard work and stay strong.
We all will keep up the prayers......

Jackie (Jeremy Lawsons mom)

JRP

10-10-2006, 04:24 AM

awsome news anthony, cant belive it myself! Hope to see you out there soon!:)

Kilabanshee

10-10-2006, 05:05 AM

Keep it up Anthony! I know you have the determination to do anything you want under any condition. It's gotta feel good that your hard work is finally paying off.

Grant Casey

10-10-2006, 05:07 AM

thats great news

bwamos

10-10-2006, 06:27 AM

That rocks bro!
I was just wondering how you were progressing.

Great news, I must say! :)

RandRRrider

10-10-2006, 06:31 AM

AWESOME!!!! Keep it up!! We're all behind you!!

MR.BIG

10-10-2006, 07:07 AM

Thats great news! You are a real fighter and a true inspiration, stay positive and you will be riding again in no time:)

PeeWee21

10-10-2006, 07:08 AM

You go boy!!!!! Your proving the only limitations we have are the ones we put on ourselves!!! Your a role model for everyone!!!! We WILL see back riding again with NO limitations!!!!!!!!!!! I look forward to that day and i know it'll be here sooner than we know!!!!!

hnnblehscnnble

10-10-2006, 08:40 AM

thats awesome to hear.happy for ya bro!just keep working at it and like most have said you'll be riding in no time.if thats what you want to do.keep us posted.

kyle

trick250r

10-10-2006, 09:02 AM

you are my hero!!! :eek2: keep it up man, hopefully we'll see you on the 450 again like you said.

yellowzo3

10-10-2006, 09:21 AM

great news man im very glad to hear this! along with everyone else i think you have a very strong sense of determination and im glad to see its working. keep at it and awesome work!

ghost450

10-10-2006, 09:40 AM

hard work, determination, perseverance and faith can make the impossible happen! Great work, you are an inspiration bud!!!

Nick shupe

10-10-2006, 09:52 AM

Keep it up Anthony you'll be back out there in no time.:)

insaneracin2003

10-10-2006, 10:33 AM

WOW,all i have to say is "WOW". Congrats man,you are a real inspiration for everyone out there,keep up the hard work and we still keep you in our prayers for a full recovery.:macho

450Racer

10-10-2006, 12:41 PM

thanks everyone :). i just had to post it. i'm so excited about it. i had light movement in my hips 3 weeks ago and now this. 3 weeks from now i might be able to move my legs as much as my hips which 3 weeks ago was about 3% and now about 15-20%. i believe that if you keep positive, the body will heal itself. it's a mental thing. i don't want to race again. but, someday i'll be putting around a practice track having a good time :).

Jeremiah needs our help now. and i'm sure you all have helped in that. but i'm putting my attention on him now, i think i'll be ok :). we got to help him get him back up now! hopefully he is doing well. i'm going to give him a call tonight.

Codeman

10-10-2006, 01:43 PM

HUGE congrats Anthony!!! Keep up the hard work and determination!!! We knew you could do it!:macho

Tell JJ that we wish him luck as well!:cool:

TheChknhwk

10-10-2006, 01:55 PM

Dude you are a ROCK!

MX MaNiAc 06

10-10-2006, 02:02 PM

That is great news! Im not surprised at all. Hopefully ur next post will be pictures of u riding!

Pappy

10-10-2006, 02:32 PM

Excellent news!!!!!

Premis

10-10-2006, 03:34 PM

Congratulations Anthony! That is incredible news! What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!

10-10-2006, 03:51 PM

Congrats man! keep on keeping on:p

protraxrptr17

10-10-2006, 05:00 PM

Originally posted by 450Racer
i believe that if you keep positive, the body will heal itself. it's a mental thing.

That is absolutely true. It happens all the time when people are diagnosed with a terrible disease or paralyzed. Alot of them can prove the doctors wrong just by being too stubborn to give up.

You will achieve your goal. Glad that you are getting closer. :)

Honda TRX250ex

10-10-2006, 05:19 PM

nice man! congrats!

catch22blaster

10-10-2006, 05:57 PM

Awesome news Anthony. Good for you buddy Im very happy for you. Keep up the great work in rehab.
This is wonderful Anthony. :cool:

Anthony your PM box is full. Delete some messages so I can PM you.

LeGaCyGiAnT124

10-10-2006, 09:13 PM

That is awsome news Ant!!!! You are the most determined racer i have ever seen and you really deserve this, you will be back out there in no time, i am really happy for you:)

Rico400

10-10-2006, 09:27 PM

congrats, i've been following this story for awhile and i know someday u will be back on a quad. ur my hero man.

blasteracer24

10-10-2006, 09:42 PM

im not sure what happened toyou. but i admire your determination and youhave showed that anything is possible. congrats and good luck with the rest of what needs to be done. go help jermiah out.

Admin

10-10-2006, 10:00 PM

Anthony,

This is great news, and I am so excited for you and your family. I pray that everything keeps improving.

Thanks for keeping us posted as well.
Harlen

QuadJunkies

10-10-2006, 11:38 PM

Originally posted by Doober
dude that is awesome, keep proving them wrong:D

VERY good news!!! Keep it up!!:macho

ITSTOCK

10-11-2006, 05:44 AM

awesome to hear!!!

However, after reading your first thread about this, I had no doubt that you would be where you are at! Keep it up :eek2:

jcv400ex

10-11-2006, 06:15 AM

That's great news! Keep up the hard work!!!!

Steve-O

10-11-2006, 06:34 AM

WTG !!! Stay strong Anthony . awesome news congrats and good luck with the rest of your recovery :macho

tuefelhunden

10-11-2006, 09:36 AM

THis is AWESOME to hear!!!

Tavillo

10-11-2006, 11:46 AM

Im from Costa Rica and i run here in our championship and is good to know that you are doing so well, its a good new and is a way to have hope because i suffer an injurie in my knee and i have to with 8 month to ride again but men that is awesome to hear that you have some feelings and yo can walk again.
I will like to hear this also from jeremiah that is the best pro ( he was flying in all the wpsa events that thanks god espn televised it here in latin america).

Yfz 2006 with Elka Elite in the front and presicion

Tavillo

10-11-2006, 11:51 AM

a shot of me in my quad. only to show up jajajaja

250ex13

10-11-2006, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by Tavillo
a shot of me in my quad. only to show up jajajaja :rolleyes: :huh

Ghost-Rider

10-11-2006, 01:19 PM

Good work keep it up

SGA

10-11-2006, 03:37 PM

Great news! Im proud of you for your spirit and determination.

Good luck with the rehab!:)

450Racer

10-11-2006, 04:17 PM

hey everyone :), thanks for the comments and support as always!

i just wanted to post a few more details...not to have confused anybody, i cannot walk on my own just for those that may have been confused. however, with legs braces i can swing my hips and shift my weight to move. but the contraction in my quadriceps is certainly a break through. it is very slight but definilty existant. when i try to contract them if you squeeze my legs you can feel them move just a little but it isn't strong enough to see it move yet. however, if they progress in the manner that my hips have (3 weeks to gain about 15-20% movement) then that will certainly lead to me walking in the near future. however, spinal cord injuries are extremely unprictdable. this could be a peak in my healing process or i could continue to heal or even heal faster, there's no telling.

i just walked again today on leg braces with the walker. i didn't do so well because my tripces have developed some tight spots and it takes every bit of energy to lift my weight off the ground to swing my hips.

i'll keep you posted throughout the next couple weeks as to if and how much stronger the contractions become. thanks everyone! ttyl

TMSmx47

10-11-2006, 05:33 PM

Thats awesome awesome news Anthony... Keep up the hard work!! My prayers are still with you and your family!!

orang_kawa

10-11-2006, 06:59 PM

Cant wait to see you on a quad again good luck with it all

BlasterEaten250

10-11-2006, 07:35 PM

Keep working at it and you are sure to ride again!

clyde 57

10-11-2006, 07:38 PM

AMEN

brian715

10-12-2006, 03:02 PM

i just saw your vid on myspace.....and it is truely in gods hands, and he has a HUGE plan for you...amazing accomplishments so far....never give up, u will ride again.

10-12-2006, 04:54 PM

Keep givin' em' hell man, and by the way...nice guitar!...i like my 2 strats though:devil: ...when you get ready to ride again, let me know on MySpace....and ill find someone to let you borrow a quad for a day or two!...hell, i might even drive up there and let you ride my 440!, i admire your courage and your ability to say"**** you" to all obstacles...keep it up man!

www.myspace.com/the_440_kid

TGW_400ex

10-12-2006, 09:49 PM

Man you don't really live too far from me! Best of luck man.

TOPDAWG

10-13-2006, 08:26 AM

450Racer, glad to hear you are getting some movement and sensations.

After 3 operations on my right knee, I know what atrophy is all about.

Your muscles "forget" how to react to the command your brain sends them. This happens due to not using them muscles for a long time I believe.

Your situiation is a lot more complex but I get the idea! Keep it up as long as you get gains! And still keep it up!

I wish you the best man!

DVXchic

10-13-2006, 11:57 AM

Glad to hear it, You'll be tearing up the track before you know it:)

bowtiedmax

10-14-2006, 10:15 AM

Thats awsome !! Keep it up. You are a insperation to all. One again showing that hard work and determination can overcome !!!

The Skvarek Family

cool 300ex

10-16-2006, 06:26 PM

THat's great Anthony. I will keep on praying for you! AMEN!!!

Architects

10-16-2006, 08:28 PM

Hey man thats great news! Keep up the work and continue proving those doctors wrong!

culookn

10-17-2006, 06:28 PM

keep on truckin. dont let anything get in your way of something you believe in .

cody anderson

10-19-2006, 03:42 PM

I'm more than happy for you man. Reading that gave me the goosebumps. Keep up the good work, I admire your spirt of determination!

Cody Anderson
#87

dan harris

10-20-2006, 10:13 PM

Anthony, I'm glad to hear your making progress. MIND OVER MATTER stay positive and strong - its got you a long way. God bless you ! Everyone keep anthony in your prayers, its working !!

joker11

10-30-2006, 10:18 PM

Dude, I am completely new to this sport. Allow me to apologize for not knowing who you are. But also allow me to say I am wishing you the very best. I hope you come back strong!

400eXr1d3rZ

11-05-2006, 07:01 AM

Any updates? Good luck!

bart31

11-08-2006, 04:34 PM

anthony the bartolini family is glad you are making good progress

popo

11-10-2006, 05:29 AM

Awsome..... keep up the good work.

blakefoote

11-14-2006, 11:55 AM

dude omg i think my heart dropped like 5 inchs in my chest when i read that!!!! dude that is amazing ....still prayin 4 yah

450Racer

11-16-2006, 07:44 PM

hey everyone :). thanks for all the kind posts. i do have a little bit of news. a few days ago i started feeling some burning in my right hip. that's usually a sign of future movement in that area. well, about two days ago i was working with my muscle stimulator on my legs and i noticed some new sensation. sometimes, that is normal, just short term gains. but, i gave it a day and its still there :). i now have pressure in my inner thighs and more sensation in the area of my knees. it is a lighter feeling than what i have in my stomach. it feels like i'm touching my skin but there it is a few layers down, still deep pressure. so i'm really excited about the new sensation. usually sensation leads to a form of movement. after about 3 weeks of no gains, i was starting to wonder what was going on. then just a few days later, this happened. it also feels like my ab muscles are getting a little bit stronger. my balance has dramatically improved. i can situp, reach for things on my bed without using my hands for supports.

it will be 5 months this saturday. as far as the leg braces go, i am doing extremely well with them. although the movement is coming from my upper body strength to walk, i am using my hips to help swing my legs with the walker. 2 weeks ago i went 52 feet in one walk and about 120 feet total. last week i broke the record with 80 feet and a total of 150. just yesterday, i went the whole way around the rehab center which measures almost 160 feet in one walk. if i keep progressing with the leg braces, i will be able to go short distances without my wheelchair, such as around the house, or a conveinant store. so, i'm happy about that too :).

thanks everybody again :), i'll be around the site. c yah

Pappy

11-16-2006, 07:47 PM

keep moving forward young man, only you can do it!

TheChknhwk

11-16-2006, 08:11 PM

Keep it up man, I eagerly await more good news:D

jjames/jlawson

11-17-2006, 04:10 AM

Keep going forward Anthony, Great news
Our prayers are with ya, always

Jackie and Jeremy Lawson

blakefoote

11-17-2006, 05:15 AM

thats great news!!! still praying for yah!

Honda TRX250ex

11-17-2006, 01:22 PM

Originally posted by Pappy
keep moving forward young man, only you can do it!

orca0294

11-18-2006, 08:32 PM

great to hear the progress, keep it up. You'll be walking in no time with such a positive attitude.

reconmaster

11-21-2006, 12:49 PM

awesome to here dude keep workin your butt off!

Grant Casey

11-21-2006, 09:11 PM

thats good news, good to c your gettin sum movment back

cheers grant

Kansas400ex

11-28-2006, 02:54 PM

congrats keep up the work. Lets hope you can keep provin those doctors wrong and live to ride again!

new400exrider

11-28-2006, 05:33 PM

Congrats great to hear keep it up hope ya heal soon and can ride again, sorry i dont know who you are i am kinda new to this sport yeah keep it up and stay determined

Xater

12-02-2006, 05:31 PM

i heard your story on a different site, my prayers are with you and JJ

12-03-2006, 07:59 AM

YOU ROCK MAN KEEP IT UP WE HAVE FAITH IN YOU.:macho GOD BLESS

quadracer707

12-09-2006, 03:22 PM

My dad talked to your da friday on the phone at cenics. He called to get an address to mail out a resume & he was telling him about your SETBACK. I was right behind you at Steel City when that happened. I wish you all the best & according to your dad I will be RACING YOU AGAIN. In our prayers WADE #707

Tommy 24

12-10-2006, 12:47 PM

I'm sure I can speak for all Michigan D-14 racers, GREAT GREAT news. Keep it up. If you never race again you're always welcome to come ride some great trails here with us here in Michigan.:)

woodsracer144

12-11-2006, 07:09 PM

hey dude i jsut gott astop and say keep on keepin on! im not as old as many of the people on here but i really make me happy to see guy that gets there hearts riped out when they can't do what they love and then they turn around and are out there ridein again! good luck with evey thing and hope every thing is gonin great, let me know if any thing new happens.
later dude,

oh and i just have a quote i like to say after my gramp die, a mans body may get injured but his sole will live on forever!

later
peyton m.