Dear AJ Supporters
I really don’t know how to express my gratitude but thought I would at least let you know how hard AJ works and all the opportunities he has been given to recover from his injury because of the tremendous generosity of those that participate in the golf tournament and more. I want to let everyone know how hard AJ is working – he doesn’t stop! The therapies he is so fortunate to receive daily are helping him get stronger both physically and mentally.
Since he came home from the Shepherd Center in Atlanta in May 2021, he gets up early every Monday morning and we head to Journey Forward. Three hours a day – 4 times a week at Journey Forward includes working out on LokoMat, Versa Climber, Upper Body Ergometer, Power Plate, Electrical Stimulation bike, Therastride and so much more.
AJ has weekly sessions on Thursday afternoons (his day off from JF) with both a physical & occupational therapist who come to our house to work with him on the therapy table. They work on strength & core exercises and work on helping him gain mobility and independence, including using his muscles to help him maneuver his wheelchair without sip & puff.
This past summer he spent at least 2-3 hours a week working with a therapist in the inground pool we were able to build for his therapy after his injury (thanks to extremely generous donations)! We are helping to fund his therapist, who will be taking several “Watsu” courses this winter in water massage modality. This water therapy is especially beneficial to those who have suffered spinal cord or brain injury. We plan to continue his pool therapy once the pool is open again hopefully late spring (thankfully its heated)!
Every Saturday he has a 2-hour session at meditation and massage therapy which also includes stretching exercises. This is much like a reward for him. After working out 15 hours a week you can imagine his trap and shoulder muscles get very sore, as well as his neck muscles due to the stress put on his upper body, which gets very sore due to steel rod placed during surgery after injury.
AJ is currently undergoing treatments in Colombia, South America – which involves multiple appointments and extensive treatments and therapies. We will travel to South America four times over the course of a year.
Since coming home from his first of four treatments in Colombia this past August we’ve added two additional hours on weeknights (Mondays and Wednesday evenings) dedicated to working on upper extremity mobility improvement & exercises with muscle stimulation pads. This is guided by Occupational Therapists at Spaulding Rehab in Pawtucket.
We are forever grateful and feel blessed to be able to provide AJ with the best care and therapies available to help him recover from his severe spinal cord injury. We won’t ever give up.
Thank you to everyone for the continued support,
Nicole Quetta
