Tavion's story
Tavion Williams, 30, is co-founder of the non-profit Bee University in New York City, which helps engage youth in urban communities through hands-on training in beekeeping, leadership and environmental advocacy. A life full of work, family and outdoor activities, Tavion is an academic tutor, passionate about the environment and helping students succeed. To top his busy life off, he spends his free time hiking, biking and working out. But his full and vibrant life came to an abrupt halt when he was struck by a car.
“I couldn’t move anything below my neck,” Tavion said.
Clinging to life, Tavion was rushed to Cooper University Hospital, where tests revealed a fracture in his cervical (neck) spine. He experienced central cord syndrome, an injury that caused significant weakness in the arms. He underwent a laminectomy infusion surgery to stabilize his spine.
Following surgery, Tavion faced the most difficult chapter in his life. He couldn’t use his arms or hands, and walking seemed a distant goal. His independence, and by extension his work and income, weighed heavily on his mind. He needed comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program to help him regain his mobility and independence.
After stabilizing and being discharged from Cooper, Tavion chose Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (KIR) - Marlton for the next step of his recovery. “It was recommended by my neurologist and was close to home so my family could visit,” he explained.
Spinal cord injury recovery is lengthy and can span a lifetime. His goal on admission was to understand what was happening to him and how it would affect his life. “I wanted to evaluate the extent of my condition and get a solid idea on what recovery will look like [in] the next 6-12 months,” he explained.
At KIR - Marlton, Tavion began a physician-led rehabilitation program that included physical and occupational therapy, including comprehensive spinal cord education. He immediately found solace in the structure of his therapy sessions. “You guys made it so I don’t have to think, plan or worry about my recovery,” Tavion said. “It took a huge weight off my shoulders.”
His team of therapists created a program that would rebuild his strength, endurance and balance so that he could walk safely and care for himself.
Physical therapy was tough but effective. Tavion had weakened core and leg strength and significant balance deficits. He required maximum assistance to walk. His therapist introduced him to high intensity gait training using a body weight support system to improve his balance and stability. As his strength and endurance got better, obstacle courses and high-level gait tasks where integrated. He also learned to navigate stairs safely.
One of his least favorite exercises was weight bearing push-ups. It was “the hardest exercise I’ve ever done in my life,” he recalled. But those difficult moments paved the way for breakthroughs, such as walking confidently and regaining use of his right hand.
Occupational therapy focused on Tavion’s functional arm and hand strength. Because of his injury, it was difficult to use both of his hands, meaning that he couldn’t grasp, grip and hold items, including assistive devices. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (also called e-stim) was used to help retrain the nerves and muscle in his arms and legs. E-stim sends mild electrical pulses through the skin to help stimulate injured muscles and manipulate nerves. Over time, it can train muscles and nerves to respond to the body’s natural signals to contract. Tavion also did exercises to improve his stability and reach and worked diligently on repeating activities of daily living.
A key milestone for him came during a cooking group activity. “I hadn’t tried opening a soda can, and when I did, I was like, ‘Wow!’ That was a big moment for me,” Tavion said. He also found that he could use a regular knife to chop ingredients, a task that made him realize he was on his way to mastering everyday activities.
Family and friends played a critical role in Tavion’s recovery. He and his family participated in education classes to learn about spinal cord injury, recovery and available resources for support, care and community reintegration. Importantly, his loved ones took care of insurance and financial concerns, allowing him to focus entirely on getting better. His best friends, who founded the non-profit with him, took on his roles at the university.
“Even though I expected the support… I was still taken aback at the amount of support I got,” he said. “Family flooded me with love, support and visits.”
As he prepared for discharge from KIR-Marlton, Tavion was prepared to continue his journey in outpatient therapy. “I feel confident about taking my recovery into my home because of what I learned here,” he said. He looked forward to enjoying the outdoors once again.
Reflecting on his experience, Tavion said, “It’s been better than I hoped. I’ve progressed beyond my initial goals. I learned I’m stronger than I thought I was.”
To others facing similar challenges, Tavion offered words of encouragement: “Focus on what’s in front of you because it can be very overwhelming. Appreciate the milestones…. If you’re making improvement, that’s significant.”