Miracle Man

Although a January car accident left 20-year-old Adrian Gordon paralyzed and only able to move his eyelids, he now can even walk with only the aid of crutches.
On January 9, Gordon was sitting in the back seat of a car that was involved in an accident on the Long Island Expressway. His spine was fractured after being thrown from the rear window.
Gordon was taken to North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) in Manhasset. Surgery on Gordon’s C-6 vertebrae was performed by spine surgeon Dr. M. Chris Overby, of the Harvey Cushing Institutes of Neuroscience Spine Center.
After the initial surgery, all Gordon could move were his eyelids. However, two weeks later, Gordon began to feel sensation in his toes and found he could move them.
“I stayed awake all night wiggling my toes to make sure I wasn’t dreaming,” Gordon said.
On February 29, Gordon was transferred to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore for rehabilitation.
Dr. Craig Rosenberg, a Southside Hospital physiatrist, said that when Gordon was first admitted he had very limited movement. In fact, he could not stand, feed himself, or brush his teeth.
“I remember when I first saw his chart,” Rosenberg said. “The likelihood that Adrian would walk again was not very good. But he had expert surgical care, intensive rehabilitation and worked hard during that time.”
Rosenberg said that at Southside Hospital they created a combined treatment plan for Gordon. It included a team of physiatrists, nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists.
Within a week or two, Rosenberg said that there were already noticeable improvements in Gordon’s condition. By Friday, April 18, Gordon was leaving the hospital with only the aid of crutches. Overby described this as a “mini-miracle.”
“It’s truly a tribute to the care he received and his own will and determination,” Rosenberg said.
Southside Hospital Executive Director Winnie Mack, RN, also said that the collaborative efforts of those involved in Gordon’s care are part of the reason for his successful recovery.
“He’s an extraordinary young man who received extraordinary care,” Mack said. “His story is an inspiration and an example of the kind of resources the Harvey Cushing Institutes of Neuroscience can bring to a complicated case like Adrian’s.”
Rosenberg said that Gordon will continue with outpatient therapy. He also said that Gordon will continue to show improvements.
A student at Manhattan Community College, Gordon was previously majoring in accounting and finance. However, his recent experiences have influenced him to change majors. The former track star now plans on studying sports medicine.
“After all the care and support I received, I really want to help others and give something back to show how much I appreciate all that was done for me,” Gordon said.