Mike Schroeder had the opportunity to meet and visit with Larry the Cable Guy. Larry and his wife are big contributors to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital at Lincoln, Neb. where Mike is currently going through rehab for his spinal cord injuries.

A spinal cord injury which occurred early this spring has left Mike paralyzed. He nor his family will ever give up hope that someday he will walk again.

Currently he is at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Neb. where he is working extremely hard to learn things he once took for granted. Madonna is one of the nation's foremost facilities for medical rehabilitation and research. Specializing in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and pediatric rehabilitation, Madonna offers hope and healing to thousands of patients from throughout the country each year.

Madonna's team of highly specialized physiatrists, therapists, rehabilitation nurses and clinicians work with the most advanced technology and equipment to help each person achieve the highest level of independence.

Mike has come a long way.

He was on a ventilator for a few days following the accident and had slight movement in his arms when he arrived; now he is able to use his hands and has some sensation in his feet and legs.

He spends several hours a day working with an occupational therapist, physical therapist and recreational therapist. He works hard. Very hard. He is determined to make his life the best it can be.

He is learning how to do things such as putting on shoes and socks, relearning how to eat and shave and how to shower, things he has always taken for granted that he knew how to do without assistance.

He also works on his balance - something that has come a long way. "You take for granted that you are going to be able to sit without falling," he said, explaining that he toppled over many times at first because his muscles no longer do the job for him. He is building up his arm muscles - and hoping for football lineman arms - which are used in many ways including in the transferring process.

His recreational therapist is showing Mike that he can go out in public in his wheelchair and still enjoy fun activities (they have gone bowling and fishing.)

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'It is what it is'

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