Ryan Straschnitzki Heading to Thailand For Spinal Cord Implant

March 21, 2019, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

The Humbolt crash is still fresh in most of our minds. The loss of so many young lives has changes some trucking regulations, the actions of the truck driver pleading guilty has helped those affected by the tragedy move on with their lives.

The record-breaking GoFundMe campaign which raised more than $19 million has made it possible for the survivors to seek out medical treatment they need without worrying about reaching lifetime maximum insurance limits too soon, and to seek out treatments that are not government insured.

Ryan Straschnitzki who is now 19 was catastrophically injured - left paralyzed from the chest down. Since the accident he has dedicated his time to rehab attending physio with the intent of regaining some core strength and independence.

He is now planning to undergo an experimental surgery in Thailand. This surgery will see an electronic stimulator implanted into his back which will hopefully stimulate the muscles.  The epidural stimulation implant will be activated by a small remote control and will send electrical currents to Ryan’s spinal cord. Surgeons and therapists will program the implant. It should stimulate the nerves and help to move his limbs. The currents will travel on pathways that aren’t damaged.

Ryan has to travel to Thailand for the surgery which is not offered in Canada. According to the news about 6 Canadians have had the surgery and only 30 have undergone it globally. Ryan travels in April or May and will stay in Thailand for over a month.

His physicians are optimistic as he is a prime candidate for the surgery. Thai surgeon Dr. Nguyen says that while the surgery is fairly straightforward the rehab and physio afterward is very intense. Success of the procedure requires determination and commitment from the patient. The surgery is estimated to cost around $100,000 which the family is paying in the hopes that their son’s condition improves.

Ryan’s father is hoping that the surgery will allow his son to get out of the wheelchair and walk.

We will stay tuned to Ryan’s progress.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.