When searching for treatment, many
determined Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) sufferers have refused to take “no”
for an answer. Their quest for treatment has led them outside their
family doctor or specialist’s office in search for treatment or therapy
for their disability. With an increasing number of international
options for treatment, who should you trust?
Beike’s preferred hospital providers have treated over 1400 spinal cord patients using Beike’s stems cells with what many patients and their families are reporting to be substantial improvements to their quality of life. When you ask these patients and their family members, there really is no other choice for treatment of spinal cord injuries.
Whether to go to China or another country for treatment is most likely one of the biggest decisions you will have to make in your life. The best way to make an informed decision is by reading about other patients’ experiences and communicating with them directly. If after reading these patient experiences, you are interested in contacting past spinal cord injury patients, just let us know. Many past
patients are very excited to share their stories and are eager to do what they can to help you make an informed decision. You can get in touch with both those who felt they have benefited and those who did not.
Below are summaries of some SCI patients’ experiences from those who feel they benefited from Beike stem cell therapy.
Jump to a specific Patient Experience by clicking a link below:
- Jennifer | Claire | Christopher | David | Gabi
- Paul | Ben | David (update) | Gabi (update)
Jennifer Broadhurst
Age 44, U.S.A
Spinal Cord Injury C-6 incomplete
Watch her video here.
Condition Before Treatment
Jennifer’s accident occurred in 1982, at high school cheerleading practice. She explains, “I was flipping off somebody’s back but did not make it all the way around and hit my chin on the mat,” She suffered a C-6 spinal cord injury. After she first went home, she was not independent and had to rely on her mom to help her with her day to day life. Through traditional physical therapy she gradually learned how live an independent life.
Jennifer described her condition before stem cell treatment: “I had feeling all the way down my legs, like a light touch feeling. No fine motor skills in my hands. I can’t tell hot and cold apart on my legs, and my sensation of pain is different, it’s a feeling of pressure not pain.”
While traditional therapies had helped Jennifer to be independant, she was always searching for new treatments that would improve her quality of life.
Jennifer described her concerns before coming to china: “My first thought was that my injury is too old and they are not going to be able to help, but they said that that didn’t matter. So of course that gives you all kind of new hope.
Treatment in China
Jennifer received 6 umbilical cord stem cell injections and 2 autologous bone marrow stem cell injections. She also received physical therapy, occupational therapy, electric wave therapy, and acupuncture.
Condition After Treatment
After her first stem cell transplant, Jennifer already started to see some results. These continued to develop during her stay.
Jennifer described the results: “My very first treatment was through IV and that night I could start moving these fingers and the doctors were very happy to see that.”
“I had hoped to get anything back in my hands, which I have… When they touch one part of your body and then they touch your face and they say does this feel the same… I think it is [helping] my upper stomach muscles. So that will help a lot with balance and trunk control and sitting up straighter and that is what I had hoped for.”
Claire Marsh
21, Australia
Primary Condition Name
Incomplete Paraplegia Due to Spinal Cord Injury at L1
Check out Claire’s video here.
Reason for Coming for Treatment
To regain any function possible especially bowel and bladder control.
Condition Before Treatment
Claire arrived for treatment three years post-injury. Her injury was assesed as L1 ASIA A incomplete. Her motor function was classified L2 and sensory level at L3. She had no bladder or bowel function/control. She had no movement below the knees, and significant weakness and paralysis in glutes, hamstrings, hips and abductor muscles. She possessed normal strength and sensation in knees, quads, adductors, abdominal and back muscles. Claire had no sensation besides pressure below the knees, at the backs of her legs and buttocks. She had limited sweat function in lower limbs. She could walk with the aid of two walking sticks and two ankle-foot orthosis (AFOs). In Australia, she did physiotherapy three times per week.
Experience During Treatment
Claire received 8 stem-cell injections: One delivered by IV, and 7 via lumbar puncture (6 injections were umbilical cord blood stem-cells and two were autologous bone-marrow).
She received physiotherapy, acupuncture, and electric-wave therapy.
Condition Following Treatment
During her treatment in China, Claire regained some movement in her left ankle and toes (plantar and dorsi-flexion). She reocovered about 4cm of normal sensation below the left knee, and about 2.5cm of normal sensation below the right knee. Upon returning home she benefited from a significant decrease in lower limb spasticity and stopped needing to take Baclofen. She also regained normal sweat function in her lower limbs.
Claire Returns to China
In 2010 Claire returned to China for a second round of treatment, you can see her hopes for her second round of treatment here.
Christopher “Kit” Bond
USA, 27C5-C6 Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Watch Kit’s video here.
Reason for Coming for Treatment
Chris Bond was in a traumatic car accident in 2003 bruising his spinal cord. He was diagnosed with a C5-C6 incomplete spinal cord injury.
Treatment in China
Kit came to China in April, 2008 to receive his first round of stem cell therapy.
The positive results from the first treatment convinced him to returned in June of 2009 for a second round of treatment - receiving 6 stem cells transplants: 2 via IV and 4 via lumbar puncture. The transplants consisted of umbilical cord blood stem cells and autologous bone marrow stem cells.
Condition After Treatment
Chris’s overall sensation increased. His core strength increased along with the strength in his triceps. He had deeper sensation in his legs. Generally he felt that these changes improved his quality of life to a large extent.
Condition Today
Chris now has increased sensation in his core and legs. His tricep and core strength has also increased
David Aldrich
U.S.A., 49
Quadriplegic C3-C4, incomplete
Watch David’s
video here.
Reason
for
Coming for Treatment:
David survived drowning after suffering a spinal cord injury. He first came to China in 2006 to seek treatment for his spinal cord injury as well as the complications from the associated drowning event.
Since he saw improvements from the first round of transplants, during the time between 2006 and 2008, he hoped to see similar progress from an additional round of stem cell transplants. David specifically sought continued improvement in his vision and increased muscle control in his left hand.
Treatment:
Umbilical cord stem cell transplantation with rehabilitation therapy.
Start of Treatment:
April 29th, 2008
Before the Treatment:
In the year and a half since his first transplant, David saw positive improvements in his quality of life. He noticed increases in upper body strength and control, culminating in the ability to walk unassisted in aqua-therapy. His muscle spasms and pain were reduced. His vision improved to where he could use his computer, watch TV and recognize faces of people around him. His breathing also improved helping his speech.
During the Treatment:
David began to see colors again. In physical therapy he worked to increase muscle control in the fingers of his left hand and saw improvements there. During physical therapy at the hospital in China, he was able to do buttock-lifts – raising his lower back and buttocks a few inches off the ground, for the first time. He also was able to kneel for the first time in six years. David saw improvements in his breathing and speech – particularly in the absence of the nebulizer he’d needed for years.
After the Treatment:
David’s first post-treatment milestone was the ability to close the fingers of his left hand. Prior to stem cell transplants in 2006 David could not move his fingers at all. He wanted to control his fingers enough to feed himself and better control his laptop - increasing his independence and ability to do work. He has regained significant control of his left hand, and hopes that the improvements in muscle control will continue.
Video of David’s experience can be seen here on Vimeo.
 David sitting up |
 David in gym |
Razvan Iordache (Gabi)
Romania (Prahove), 30
C5-C6 Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
See his video here.
REASON FOR COMING FOR TREATMENT:
In 1995, when Razvan was in high school, he had a terrible accident when diving into a river. He was paralyzed from the neck down. The only thing he could move at that point was his eyes. Since 1995, he has had daily rehabiliation (kinetotherapy, physiotherapy, massage, and accupuncture) at the Medical Physical Recovery Section of Poiana Campina Hospital, Romania. Thanks to his subsequent surgeries, rehab and physical therapy, in 2006 he had regained limited upper limb function, very limited bladder control, and some sensation throughout his body.
TREATMENT:
Umbilical cord stem cell transplantation with rehabilitation therapy.
START OF TREATMENT:
February 25, 2006
BEFORE THE TREATMENT:
He could move all parts of his arms except for his fingers. He could raise his hands up almost to shoulder height. He could stand up on his feet with support. He had sensation down to his chest (almost 50% for touch and temperature). He could hold his urine for a few seconds before he had to go.
AFTER THE TREATMENT:
March 31, 2006, Razvan has improved sensation all the way down to his feet – including some sensation in his feet where he had none before. He regained mobility in his fingers, along with pain sensation in his the index and middle finger of each hand. He has the ability to detect warm sensations in his legs - where there was no sensation before. He can now move his feet slightly. He can contract his stomache muscles – which he could not do before. At times he can hold his urine for five to seven minutes, and his bowel function has improved.
UPDATE by e-mail from Iordache (June 8, 2006):
“It has been eight weeks since I returned home and my situation has continued to improve. My hands can move much better, I have more power in my hands and in my legs as well. Now I can move my fingers every day for at least ten times per day. I can stay on my feet for one to two hours with assistance and support for my knees. When I am on my feet, I have more stability than before I can make a lot more movement with my hands and with my body because my abdominal muscles and my back muscles are stronger than before. When I lay down on the bed I can move my feet a little and do this twice a day. My sensation has improved and I can feel my legs and all my body now. I can even feel warm and cold. I still feel that sensation like there are thousands of needles moving in by body all the time. Now I can control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for both urine and stool is much better. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than before.”
You can contact Gabi by sending an e-mail to: iordacher_2000@yahoo.com.
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Paul
Australia, 40
Spinal Cord Injury, L1 incomplete, Mild Brain Injury
Watch Paul’s video here.
REASON FOR COMING TO TREATMENT:
Four and a half years ago, while working at a construction site, Paul was hit directly on the head by pallet that had fallen off of a crane. He suffered a mild brain injury and diagnosed with an incomplete spinal cord injury – which has confined him to a wheel chair ever since. In early 2007 he became involved in a wheelchair basketball team and traveled throughout Australia to compete in tournaments. It was here that he made friends with another spinal cord injury patient who provided him with information about stem cell treatments available in China. After a few months of research and discussion the two decided that they would travel to China together for stem cell transplants.
BEFORE THE TREATMENT:
After his accident Paul was largely paralyzed from the waist down. He had minimal function in his quads, his hamstrings could bear some weight, but below his knees he had no movement and was completely confined to a wheel chair. He had minimal bladder sensation and was only able to hold his bladder for 3 to 5 minutes once he sensed the need to urinate.
START OF TREATMENT:
January 3rd, 2008
TREATMENT COURSE:
Spinal cord decompression surgery with autologous bone marrow stem cells injected directly into the injury site. Six umbilical cord stem cell transplants (both via IV and spinal puncture). Six imbilical cord blood transplants via IV. Rehabilitation therapy, acupuncture, electric muscle stimulation and physical therapy.
AFTER THE TREATMENT:
During treatment in China, Paul began to show significant progress. He gained the ability to move his feet from side to side while sitting in his wheelchair. After a few days of working moving his feet, he regained complete control over his foot movement.
Paul also experienced increased bladder sensation and control. By the end of his month-long stay, he was able to hold his bladder once he sensed the need to urinate for at least 20 minutes. (On one of his last days in China he spent an entire day out exploring the city of Shenyang without needing to use the bathroom even once.)
Paul went back home to Australia with a fresh outlook on his life. He began physical therapy once again to build upon and maintain the new developments he gained while in China. His overall quality of life and functionality had improved providing him with increased independence.
Ben
Australia, 26
Spinal cord injury, T10 complete Watch Ben’s video here.
REASON FOR COMING TO TREATMENT:
Three years ago, was in a motorbike accident leaving him paralyzed from the waist-down. The accident injured his spine and resulted in a mild brain injury. He was paralyzed from the belly button down and the doctors told him he would never walk again. While researching various spinal cord injury treatment methods, he learned about stem cell treatments offered in China. After extensive investigation he decided that stem cell transplantation offered great potential for improvments in his condition, so he made plans to go to China with his friend Paul, who also has a spinal cord injury.
START OF TREATMENT:
January 3rd, 2008
BEFORE THE TREATMENT:
Ben was paralyzed from the waist down (including a lack of sensation from his belly button down). Since the accident three year before, he has seen some small increase in sensation below the wasit, but had no improvements in his ability to move or contract his muscles below the injury site. He continued to work hard in physical therapy, but he felt that it was time for him to try stem cell treatment to help his body to heal.
TREATMENT COURSE:
Spinal cord decompression surgery with autologous bone marrow stem cells injected directly into the injury site. Six umbilical cord stem cell transplants (both via IV and spinal puncture). Six imbilical cord blood transplants via IV. Rehabilitation therapy, acupuncture, electric muscle stimulation and physical therapy.
AFTER THE TREATMENT:
While in China, Ben experienced impressive progress. He gained the ability to raise his knees independently more than two inches off the bed while in a lying position and was able to spread his legs apart one at a time. Prior to traveling to China, he had been unable to perform these motions. The control of his hip muscles also increased, giving him greater stability while sitting. Ben also noticed muscle spasms in his buttocks. Ben was satisfied with his decision to come to China – thanks to the increased quality of life that his new abilities would afford him.
Post Treatment:
“There is no failure, there is only an outcome, its what you do with the outcome that matters.” — Ben
It is the outcome of the stem cell treatment that Ben is excited about. Most noticeable of changes are improvements in movement and strength of his hips and right knee. In addition Ben has a better response to pain and touch stimuli. Spinal cord injured patients often have difficulty with sexual function, post-treatment Ben has also noted an increase in in his sexual function and libido.
David’s Update
Hi Everyone,
Today was truly a day of Thanksgiving for me. I went to therapy for what I expected would be my last day of gait training. They hired a new therapist who is 6’5” and strong enough to handle my weight. After three sessions of standing in the gait machine he felt that I had the potential to try and stand up without the machine. On the first attempt he said I was able to bear between 50-75 percent of my weight. On the second attempt he told me I was on my own and that he was only using his hands to balance me. Then he wanted me to try to stand from a seated position which is shown in the attached clip.
It was decided that I have the potential to pursue my goal of being able to walk on my own. With the help of Michael, my new therapist, that goal has become more realistic than ever! My stem cells are really working overtime. Thanks to my family for always being there to support and to all of you who gave me encouragement along the way!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Dave
Gabi’s Update
Gabi returned to China for a third round of stem cell transplants in October, 2007. He stayed at the Xiaoshan Hospital in Hangzhou for six weeks receiving seven transplants via lumbar puncture. Following his stay in Hangzhou he moved to Shenzhen for two months of rehabilitation.
The movement and power in his hands has improved. His triceps began to work again. He now has 100% feeling in his hands. He has started to move his fingers. He has sensation all the way to his feet and his touch/temperature mix is up to 70% of his body.
He can now contract his stomach muscles and stay seated at the edge of a bed without support. While seated he can pull his feet toward the bed. He can stand on his feet for 30-50 minutes a day. Gabi can now completely control his stool and has seven to ten minutes of control over his urine urge.
Gabi also received a bone marrow transplant (BMT). He believes the BMT intensified sensation throughout his body. His motor responses felt much quicker following the BMT. In January, 2008 Gabi had surgery to decompress his spine around C5-C6. During the surgery he received a transplantation of umbilical cord stem cells directly into the injury site. Following this surgery the reflexes in his legs improved greatly – giving him greater movement than before.
During this visit, he stayed in China for a total of 11 months. He ended his stay receiving another four stem cell injections with rehabilitation in Qingdao. Gabi tells us “I’m very confident that in the future I will have more improvements and I will be able to walk again by myself very soon.”
Check out his new video (5 min) at YouTube and Vimeo .
Watch Gabi’s previous patient experience on YouTube here .