Spinal cord injured client stories

Michael Forbes tells his story on YouTube. Michael is a tri-athlete who had a bicycle accident, became a quadriplegic and used Feldenkrais to walk again.

Amanda Lynn's Halldorsen tells her story on YouTube. Amanda Lynn is a Feldenkrais practitioner who understands the benefits of Feldenkrais because of its impact on her own recovery from a spinal cord injury.
Kevin Hitchcock tells his story in his autobiography "Walk with Me". Despite being told he would never get feeling below the neck or walk again, he learns to walk and recovers arm and hand function. This is available on loan from the Allan Bean Centre Library at Burwood Hospital, Christchurch.
Irene Lober documents her recovery from paraplegia in her Master's Thesis - Walking on one's own two feet: Paraplegia - a somatic investigation. Despite being told she would need a wheelchair for the rest of her life she was able to get rid of her wheelchair, ski and climb hills using principles from pioneers such as Moshe Feldenkrais. She went on to train as a Feldenkrais practitioner. Irene's Masters Thesis is available on loan from the Allan Bean Centre library in Christchurch. (The German version is entitled "Auf eigenen Füßen gehen - Somato-psychologische Erfahrungen einer ehemals Querschnittsgelähmten", Der grüne Zweig, 131 (ISBN 3-925817-31-X)).
Michael In this case study, Michael begins by walking with two braces and two crutches. After attending Feldenkrais lessons he is able to walk back and forth across black ice with a bucket of hot water to remove ice from his windscreen, without feeling unsafe. Michael and his Feldenkrais practitioner, Helga Bost, have developed a documentary film on his experience of the method. This can be obtained by contacting Helga at Helga.Bost@gmx.de
Suki & Lorie This article contains two case studies on Feldenkrais practitioner, Dr Carl Ginsburg's, work with two women with long-term paraplegia. Improvements include reduction in spasms, a return of sensation, learning to stand and recovery of movement of the legs.
Kevin Hitchcock tells his story in his autobiography "Walk with Me". Despite being told he would never get feeling below the neck or walk again, he learns to walk and recovers arm and hand function. This is available on loan from the Allan Bean Centre Library at Burwood Hospital, Christchurch.
Irene Lober documents her recovery from paraplegia in her Master's Thesis - Walking on one's own two feet: Paraplegia - a somatic investigation. Despite being told she would need a wheelchair for the rest of her life she was able to get rid of her wheelchair, ski and climb hills using principles from pioneers such as Moshe Feldenkrais. She went on to train as a Feldenkrais practitioner. Irene's Masters Thesis is available on loan from the Allan Bean Centre library in Christchurch. (The German version is entitled "Auf eigenen Füßen gehen - Somato-psychologische Erfahrungen einer ehemals Querschnittsgelähmten", Der grüne Zweig, 131 (ISBN 3-925817-31-X)).
Michael In this case study, Michael begins by walking with two braces and two crutches. After attending Feldenkrais lessons he is able to walk back and forth across black ice with a bucket of hot water to remove ice from his windscreen, without feeling unsafe. Michael and his Feldenkrais practitioner, Helga Bost, have developed a documentary film on his experience of the method. This can be obtained by contacting Helga at Helga.Bost@gmx.de
Suki & Lorie This article contains two case studies on Feldenkrais practitioner, Dr Carl Ginsburg's, work with two women with long-term paraplegia. Improvements include reduction in spasms, a return of sensation, learning to stand and recovery of movement of the legs.

Lisa This case study from Nottwil Paraplegic Centre describes the experience of Lisa, who had an SCI at T8 (ASIA A). A significant issue for her was feelings of instability. Of all the interventions she used, she felt Feldenkrais to be the most helpful with her instability which she felt had almost gone.
Amanda Salas This is a case study written jointly by Amanda Salas (who has a C4/5 SCI) and her Feldenkrais practitioner, Sharon Starika de Moyano.
Michael and Werner In this lecture, "Developing a new self-image with the help of the Feldenkrais-Method", Helga Bost describes her work with three clients, two of whom have spinal cord injuries.
Molly Hale tells her story in this YouTube interview. To begin with she has been given the prognosis that there would be no movement below her shoulders. With a combination of practices including Aquatic Therapy, Aikido, Feldenkrais, Continuum, Hippotherapy, Meditation and breathwork, Molly has made significant improvements. By 2012 she had walked unassisted for the first time.
Image: Claire Freeman
Amanda Salas This is a case study written jointly by Amanda Salas (who has a C4/5 SCI) and her Feldenkrais practitioner, Sharon Starika de Moyano.
Michael and Werner In this lecture, "Developing a new self-image with the help of the Feldenkrais-Method", Helga Bost describes her work with three clients, two of whom have spinal cord injuries.
Molly Hale tells her story in this YouTube interview. To begin with she has been given the prognosis that there would be no movement below her shoulders. With a combination of practices including Aquatic Therapy, Aikido, Feldenkrais, Continuum, Hippotherapy, Meditation and breathwork, Molly has made significant improvements. By 2012 she had walked unassisted for the first time.
Image: Claire Freeman