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Wrong Turn Gone Right

Michael Rhode, from Monmouth Beach, NJ, sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) in a skiing accident. Despite paralysis below the waist and limited upper body strength, he never stopped pursuing his passion for sports. He has also been an avid participant in Kessler Foundation’s mobility research. In October, Mike took his first steps since his injury in Ekso—a robotic, battery-powered exoskeleton being tested by Foundation researchers. Mike also participates in locomotor training at Kessler, which is part of the Reeve Foundation’s NeuroRecovery Network that is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. In April, Kessler Foundation sponsored his trip to Louisville, KY, to participate in the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon.

Mike was part of Team Reeve, who had some members in wheelchairs. The team competed in the relay race. Mike began on mile marker 21 and was prepared to race for three miles in his manual wheelchair. But when the road split, he made a wrong turn. Instead of traveling on the mini-marathon course, he proceeded on the marathon course. With his girlfriend by his side to help him up the hills, he pushed himself to complete his turn—5.5 miles. It seemed only fitting for a man who never takes the easy way out and always pushes himself to “go the extra mile.”

Aside from the relay, Mike enjoyed his time in Kentucky. “It was an honor to represent Team Reeve,” he said. “I felt motivated and inspired as I met people that I’ve read about over the years and built connections. We’re already discussing projects that we’d like to collaborate on in the future. I appreciate Kessler Foundation’s support so I could have these experiences.”

Mike was recently awarded a grant from the Challenged Athletes Foundation for a handcycle wheelchair—a racing chair that uses hand controls to steer. He’s putting the chair to use as he trains for the New York City Marathon in November. Kessler Foundation is proud to be a part of Mike’s journey as he shows everyone around him that he can still achieve his goals. His participation in SCI research has more than personal benefits—it contributes to the advances that are helping others with paralysis.