RehaBike Client - Michael

Michael is a RehaBike client now based in Switzerland.

"Shortly before my accident took place I began my studies in education science.  I am a person who loves to get in touch with others and likes to move. I’ve never been a top athlete and will probably never be one for pure lack of ambition. However, playing volleyball, cycling, swimming and walking are delightful activities.

In 2000 my life changed. I happened to slip with my bike and fell 10 meters down into a deep gorge.

I broke my sixth thoracic vertebrae and ended up having a complete spinal cord injury. It was in Nottwil, Switzerland where I was prepared for my new life within half a year and asked whether I would like to participate in a study.

During the study I got to know a new therapy with functional electrical stimulation that activates my muscles again. I was lucky that such a new RehaBike model was made accessible to me and I even could train 5 times per week for one hour! The training was exhausting and thrilling at the same time. One may ask why you’re doing this anyway. The answer is easy though: The training keeps me fit and activates my leg muscles. These muscles protect my legs and act preventively against pressure sores. Besides my legs look fitter which has a positive aesthetic effect too.  After a while I observed that my legs were much more relaxed and I think that the training caused a decrease of my spasms in general. Thus I want to continue the training as long as I can.