"My game is not a sport. It's the game of life. I have an autoimmune disease called myositis. My treatment includes oral prednisone and monthly infusions of IVIG. When I first got sick almost 20 years ago I was 44. I was an elementary school teacher but had to leave due to extreme weakness in my arms and legs. I could barely walk or bathe myself. I refused to just give in to the disease and view my life as over. "
Myositis
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Herniated Disc
Herniated Disc
"I was an ardent yoga practitioner for many years and avid hiker until black ice brought me down. Not in an ashram or on a mountain but right on Fifth Avenue and 13th St. I realized what had happened -- a broken kneecap -- and that I couldn’t get up. I once thought I would never cross the street without crutches again, but now I’m back on the mountain!"
Knee Implant
"After suffering for many years I decided that my only course of action would be surgery. I researched many doctors and hospitals before choosing the hospital for special surgery and Dr. Alexander Hughes as my physician. I had bulging discs, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and arthritis. These conditions prevented me from standing for more than a few minutes and not being able to walk one block without severe pain."
Spine Injury/Condition
"It was August 13, 2005 and what a perfect day it was to play soccer. I remember everything about that day. During my first game of the tournament; my teammate passed me a through ball, I ran onto it, and for some reason I still don’t understand I slid to get the ball, and as I did the other teams keeper came out to get the ball, and we collided. Here I was 65 pounds soaking wet, going up against someone who was twice my size, so you can bet the outcome wasn’t very good."
Broken Leg
"Thank you Dr. Mathias Bostrom and HSS! With my two new knees five months post-surgery, this 70 year old is walking, hiking, and biking with no pain and very little effort."
Knee Replacement
"I brought my aging, painful back to HSS and placed it in the hands of an HSS physiatrist. She and her staff were relentless in searching for a means of relief for me through various up-to-date medical procedures and physical therapy."
Spine Injury/Condition
Hip Resurfacing
"5 weeks ago I got a right hip re-surfacing. I feel blessed. I have my life back. Zero pain. Strength and flexibility are back. Everyday better."
Hip Resurfacing
"Within a week I had less pain from that foot than I’d had in at least a year, and now five months later I am a new person, walking as much as I want to with total abandon."
Toe Injury/Condition