Kelly Thomas sustained a spinal cord injury in a car accident in 2014. Diagnosed with a C7-T1 motor complete injury, she retained her upper body function, but was unable to walk. Three years after her injury, Kelly had an epidural stimulator surgically implanted on her spinal cord. After five months of intensive physical therapy, she took her first steps. By activating the stimulator remotely, she is able to stand and walk with assistance. Using the stimulator on a daily basis has helped her regain her independence. She plans to finish her degree in criminal justice and apply to law school.
Kelly Thomas was one of three individuals with spinal cord injury who demonstrated the progress they have made through spinal stimulation research, at the June 3, 2019 event highlighting Kessler Foundation’s new Center for Spinal Stimulation: Transforming Care and Recovery for People with Spinal Cord Injury.
