"Your legs stop, but your life doesn't."

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     For my Neuro Note assignment, I chose to watch a short documentary about Sophia Malthus, a twenty-year-old woman who suffered a C4-C5 spinal cord injury after being thrown from her horse. I chose to learn more about Sophia's journey to deepen my understanding of SCI, but also because she seemed relatable to me as a young woman. Before her accident, Sophia aspired to be a jockey and worked tirelessly with horses. Before coming to OT school, I worked for one year in hippo therapy, and met many volunteers who loved horses and many clients who benefitted from therapeutic riding. Below are some of my take-aways from this inspirational video and the resource and link that can be used for others to watch as well. 

After her injury, Sophia was categorized as a level A on the ASIA Impairment Scale, the most devastating rating that someone with an SCI can receive. Sophia also experienced complete tetraplegia below her injury-site, causing all neuronal messaging below her C4 level to be cut off. In the video, Sophia describes some of the negative aspects of living with SCI, like the associated high tone and spasticity in her lower extremities and pressure sores from immobility. Nonetheless, Sophia retains a witty, humorous, and positive attitude full of strength and determination. She says, "The injury is either going to make you or break you. What's the point in letting it break you?"

Despite her losses, Sophia has maintained and is working to gain several aspects of her independence. Sophia has 24-hour care, but she lives in her own cabin on the same property as her parents and caregivers. This allows her time to be alone and to rest from the constant therapy and nursing that she receives on a daily basis. Sophia is a dog-owner, takes the time (and effort) to put on makeup, and enjoys having friends over at her cabin or meeting them at horse races. In the future, Sophia hopes to work in the horse-racing industry, just not as a jockey. Her aunt emphasizes that Sophia still has endless possibilities for her life-- they are simply possibilities that she didn't consider before. 

My favorite inspirational quote by Sophia is this: "Your legs stop, but your life doesn't." 

Attitude. (2018, May 28). Life as a quadriplegic: Sophia Malthus [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voPlqTOdVU8


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