Rusty’s Bio
Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy
My name is Rusty Leech and I have been a paraplegic for nearly ten years. I will undergo embryonic stem cell injections in India this winter. My wife Kathy and I have researched, studied and debated this incredible treatment of spinal cord injured individuals like myself. Those treated have shown radical success with regard to regaining bladder/bowel function, sensations, and muscle growth. I have never given up finding some type of medical advancement for spinal cord injuries, but for the first time, I truly have hope.
History
I wrecked my ATV on September 13, 1998 during a hunting trip. After stays in St. Mary’s Hospital and Craig Rehabilitation Hospital, I emerged as a complete T-10 paraplegic, with no movement below my 10th thoracicvertebrae. My driving force to get through the recovery and rehab process was to get back to my family and help provide for them anyway possible. My job with Xcel Energy was at the Cameo Power Plant, outside Palisade, CO. I was a Control Specialist in charge of running the plant from the control room. During my rehab, my boss Chuck Hogue said Xcel wanted me back if I was able to do the job and with a specialized, standing wheelchair I was able to resume my job full time in April 1999.Over the next 4 years I worked my job and tried to pursue some of my old hobbies. Before the accident I was an avid runner, played softball, skied, played golf, and was a passionate hunter. I was able to resumehunting with help from my family, harvesting elk, mule deer, and antelope with a variety of methods: bow hunting, muzzle loading, and with a rifle. I didn’t have the drive or inclination to try other hobbies even though there were ways for me to participate in some of these other sports. In October of 2002 I made the decision to take a disability through Xcel Energy because I could no longer work the rotating shifts that my job entailed. Once again, I was retained for my knowledge and expertise of the plant. I work part time, 4 hours per day helping produce the necessary reports for the plant.From the time I was released from the hospitals I have researched, investigated, and studied possible therapies for spinal cord injuries, hoping one day there would be a break-through. In a July 2007 PN (Paraplegia News) Magazine article, there was a therapy touted to be very exciting by the investigating writer. The program was from New Delhi, India, and utilized embryonic stem cells to treat several types ofafflictions and spinal cord injuries. Dr. Geeta Shroff, a vitro infertilization expert, had developed a therapy where patients were injected with stem cells; there were no side effects from the injections, and the patients all showed improvements from their previous conditions. In researching Dr. Shroff, and her program, I discovered one of her patients posting a blog on the Internet of her treatments by Dr. Shroff, the patient’s name is Amanda Boxtel and she is a T-12 complete paraplegic. Amanda is a person Kathy and I had met through Colorado DiscoverAbility so we knew of her condition before she went to India for treatments and her reports of increased function were incredible. We started e-mailing Amanda and Dr. Shroff for more information, educating ourselves of this amazing therapy. When Amanda arrived back in the United States we made plans to travel to Aspen, CO to meet with her. Amanda gave us more details about Dr. Shroff’s program and put on a demonstration of her newly-acquired function, which absolutely blew our minds. Amanda transferred unto the floor and proceeded to crawl forward and backwards, picking up each of her knees with each stride. She then lay on her back and crossed either leg over the other. This was incredible for a paraplegic having “no movement below her hips” to be able to do. This reinforced the importance of becoming a part of this program.After sending Dr. Shroff medical records and the MRI’s of my spine, I was accepted into the program. We’ve applied for and been granted visas to go to India for 2 months of stem cell therapy and the associated physical therapy that goes with it. Embryonic stem cells will be injected intravenously, intramuscularly, and directly into the lesion in my spine where I was injured. After the injections, I will undergo daily physical therapy to re-establish the nerve pathways from my brain, through my spinal cord, to the muscles, and to rebuild the muscle strength in my lower body. This is not a one-time treatment; we will have to return to India at least 3 more times. The length and frequency of these trips will depend on my body’s reaction to each series of stem cell injections.To participate in Dr. Shroff’s program has given us hope that my body may regain some function lost in the accident. Kathy and I haven’t had hope; we accepted the fact that my abilities were not going to improve inthe near future. Medical science hasn’t progressed in the United States to a level where people with SCI’s can have improvement in their lives. That is reality. Fortunately, I am blessed with this opportunity to travel to India. I am nervously excited… but now have hope, faith and the belief that anything is possible.
If you’d like to learn more about my experiences, view My Journal Entries
Hi Rusty,
Just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you and you and Kathy are in my prayers.
End of the month reports are coming up. Bah-hum-bug. It will be sooooo boring without you!
Jane
Rusty:
Just checking in. I am excited about your trip and your opportunity to get theraphy that is not available here in the US. Best of luck. Keep in touch. When are you expected back in the US. Did you get the answers you were looking for from Xcel HR before you left? Best Wishes Elaine
Hi Kathy & Rusty, it is Tuesday evening 11/27/07 in Grand Junction. You are probably just arriving in India now & will be adjusting to the jet-lag for a few days. Please don’t forget us back home - we are anxious to hear from you both & look forward to your updates of both the procedures and Rusty’s changes. I pray for you both daily. May God’s blessings & healing powers bestow absolute miracles upon you both. Rusty you are such a wonderful testimony to both strength & hope. Keep up the good work! Maybe for Christmas I should mail you a cheeseburger! You should be craving good-’ol american food by then! Miss you & Love you…..Ronda
Hi Rusty and Kathy: Holly gave me your site this morning and I couldn’t wait to see how you are doing. This is such a wonderful way to let us know how and what you are experiencing.
I just had knee surgery and have been off work for 3 weeks and re-learning to walk. Just about to go stir crazy from not working.
I am so very proud and full of love for both of you. I know this is going to be a wonderful and hard experience but believe you can acheive your goals and will continue to lift you up in meditation and prayer for your treatments to work.
I learn so much everytime I travel and see how wonderful things are in other countries and the generosity your given from others. We have so much to learn and appreciate about our cultural differences. Enjoy the change,albiet hard but exciting.
Oh my gosh!! I am so excited for you guys. Rusty you are such a trooper and our prayers are with you. I can’t even imagine the rush that the two of you are going through. The possibilities are very exciting and I am sure a little intimidating.
Kathy, what does it feel like to be in country where almost every one is your height? Just kidding you know I luv ya.
Take care and we will be watching your site for updates.
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU,
vic
Good morning Rusty and Kathy,
I just got to work and opened your website for the first time. It was the best time to open it. When I read about you moving your leg, I thought about both or you. It must have been very exciting for both of you. I almost went into tears of joy for both of you. I will keep reading about your treatment and pray you have wonderful results.
Gods blessings,
Debby
Written 12/11/2007: I was telling another gym rat friend this past weekend about you and told him I didn’t know what I would do if I actually saw you walk into the gym one Saturday! Well, having been off since last Friday, I JUST saw your most recent entries and am now in ecstatic tears for you! I am so excited for both you and Kathy! It looks like you may actually walk into the gym when you get back - I can only say this, be ready for the reactions you get - there will be many tears of joy from so many of us! I know many prayers have been answered already, and our prayers will continue for continued progress, strength and patience for you both! I realize this seems like it may be just your Christmas gift, but in reality you have given all of us who know you the best Christmas gift! I can’t think of anything better than to see you walk bud! Wow! Hugs and prayers to you both. jane
12/12/2007: I don’t think my original e-mail got to you, so am going to give it a try this way. How are your therapy sessions going? I’m telling everyone about you and Kathy. Hugs and best wishes!! jane
Just now got onto your site, and it made my cry. I am so happy for the both of you. Thank you for sharing your story, and we will follow it closely. You guys will be in my prayers and thoughts.
A Very Merry Christmas and lots of love is sent your way. Frannie
Rusty & Kathy, Happy New Year to you both. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and may 2008 bring continued success for you in India.
Happy New Year, Kathy & Rusty:
Kirk told us about your treatment over there and we had to check it out. Amazing - the whole thing.
Best wishes for continued progress. We’ll stay updated from your site.
Rusty,
I heard about you through your neice, India (I don’t remember her last name) I work with her.
My daughter, Melissa Holley is a T6-7 para. She was in the news back in July 2000 thru 2001. She went to Tel Aviv, Israel for Macrophage Therapy that had just been approved by the FDA. She did regain some function (bladder, feeling, and a little muscle movement), but not enough to walk. I am letting her know about you. She is now 27, and married. We know what you are going through, with hope, faith, and all that goes with going to a different country and experiencing a different culture other than you own. It was hard for Melissa and my husband. They were there for 3 1/2 months. Also undergoing open heart surgery because of a pulmonary embalism. She was 18 at the time. God Bless you and your family. I will continue to check on your progress. Thank you for your story.
Gwen
Kathy and Rusty, It’s wonderful that you are able to make this next trip and to hear of Rusty’s progress. Although slow in coming, every little bit is a step. I have absolute faith that in time he will walk again. I hope the Phantom Ball is a roaring success, raising lots and lots of money to cover your upcoming trip. Every little bit of progress you make will magnify and lead to more help for others. Thanks for being a pioneer!