Hi my name is Arash and I am an athlete and have been an athlete for as long as I can remember and have always relished physical challenges. I spent most free moments outdoors: playing soccer, hiking, biking, backpacking in the mountains, floating and hanging with friends on a river, and sharing so many incredible moments with amazing people around me. Just 3 days before this debilitating accident, I had completed one of the most memorable and physically satisfying experiences of my life: a 60 mile backpacking trip through the Evolution Valley in the 10,000+ foot mountains of the Eastern Sierras of California with an incredible group of friends, filled with laughter, joy and an appreciation for life.
I am 31 years old and grew up in four countries but the San Francisco Bay Area is where I’ve always called home. After venturing to Boston for my undergrad and over 5 years working and traveling in Europe, Central and South America, Asia and Africa as an international trip leader for a biking and hiking tour company, I came back to SF to pursue an MBA with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and social responsibility. After grad school I worked for an environmental consulting firm and a solar energy company before the accident happened…
I have been diagnosed as Incomplete C5-C6 ASIA C with sensation from a fall on July 8, 2012 and was released from rehab on August 24, 2012.
My current intense training consists of:
- Acupuncture – once a week
- SCI-FIT – 3-hour workout with a trainer 3 times a week
- FES Bike – 1 hour cycling with electrical stimulation 6 places on my legs 3 times a week
- Easy Glide – standing & exercise 1 hour a day
- Ekso Bionics – walking in an exoskeleton twice a month
- Postural Reprogramming Exercises – 20 minutes every day
- Galileo-Training – twice-a-day 30 minutes each time
August 11, 2013 – Check out my first Galileo-Training session using a tilt-table with Brita, my fiancee, helping me bend my knees. I train on Galileo for 30 minutes twice-a-day.
November 1, 2013 – After 2 1/2 months, take a look at my functional improvements. I’m able to consciously perform small standing squat movement without help. Each day I feel improved strength in my core function, leg power and overall health.
December 11, 2014 – Now I am doing the squats under greater control with functional movement.
February 21, 2014 – Advanced to standing on my own while training with Jerry!
August 29,2014
Standing Balance at SCI-FIT on the Galileo from StimDesigns
September 9, 2014
Bridges at SCI-FIT on the Galileo
Love these milestones, check out my glutes, hams, and calves!
Here’s how I independently transfer on the tilt-table at home twice-a-day for Galileo-Training.
To work on my core muscles I do a variety of exercises. After 12 Hz Galileo engages the stretch reflex which not only trains my leg muscles but also, my core, back and buttocks. This is great preparation for walking!
Using stretch bands adds an additional challenge!
Watch videos on people recovering
Max is Tetraplegic and Walking