Ryan Spangler experienced a severely unlucky break when he was paralyzed in a car accident in 2022.
Now he’s getting what he and all his friends and loved ones hope will be a significant lucky break — an opportunity to regain use of his arms.
Mr. Spangler’s story was reported Sunday by Blade staff writer Sheila Howard in “Quadriplegic Maumee man just 2nd person to undergo groundbreaking surgery.”
Ms. Howard’s story recounted the fateful experience of that accident, Mr. Spangler’s descent into despair, and his emotional decision to make the most of his situation.
The story also recounted many fascinating details of the amazing medical science that brings hope to Mr. Spangler for recovery of some of his functions and to others like him. Mr. Spangler, a 47-year-old union plumber and carpenter, suffered a broken neck in three places.
The circumstances of his injury, while horrific, are suitable to his participation in a clinical trial because he still has some feeling, function, and muscle control. Like a machine, our bodies work because of signals sent along neural pathways in the spine.