Cartaze H. Ragland

My Story:

As Cartaze H. Ragland was heading home from a party one night, he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a tree. The injuries he sustained from the accident resulted in paralysis from the waist down. Doctors expressed pessimism about his condition, so much so that physical therapy was not made available to him. Cartaze however still hung onto hope of improvement and decided to go to China for stem cell treatment.
From the time of the accident until his arrival in China, Cartaze had been bed bound. On arrival to Tiantan Puhua, it was discovered that Cartaze had large bedsores and sheet burns on both legs, which had become seriously infected. This had caused third degree burn wounds on his lower legs. Without sensation due to the paralysis, he was unaware of how bad the injury was.
The muscles in both his hands and his legs had wasted away. The joints of his fingers and wrists had become rigid. Chores were extremely difficult for him to do; he needed a lot of assistance day to day. His shoulder’s motor range was limited as well; he could only lift his arms to the height of his head. Cartaze’s arm muscles were also very weak; he could not move any part of his legs.
AFTER TREATMENT

Cartaze saw an improvement soon after he arrived. The burn wounds and the bedsores had healed and the infection, which had spread to a large part of his body, was treated. After recovery, he felt stronger than before. Following his second stem cell implantation, the muscles of Cartaze’s right hand, arms, and legs grew stronger and he could do more things for himself. He can now move his right hand more freely. The wrist and finger muscles are suppler and the wrist joint and shoulder joint less rigid than they were. His motor range is greater; he can easily lift his arms and do a circle movement. The fingers are more flexible making it possible to lift a cup or put glasses on. He can now type on the computer with his little finger.
Following stem cell treatment, he gained sensation in his body. Before he felt little sensation in his leg – only when it was hit very hard. Now he can sense when the doctor changes the dressing. Although he still cannot stand, he can move his legs and feet somewhat on his own.
Cartaze has visited the hospital twice for treatment and he felt a great improvement each time. He is making progress with his physical therapy Cartaze is very hopeful that he will walk someday soon.

After returning to the USA, Cartaze learned to feed himself with his right hand. By October 2007, he could catch a basketball between his wrists, bend his right thumb a little. By January the next year, Cartaze could keep his balance when put in seated position, which he wasn’t able to do before. By January 2008, he could push himself into a seated position and hold his balance for quite some time. He reported that he was getting strong, and was moving his legs a lot.