‘You feel like you have more control:’ former Humboldt Bronco speaks out on Thailand surgery

A former Humboldt Bronco paralyzed in the April 2018 bus crash joined David Kirton on Saskatchewan Afternoon on Monday to talk about his recent surgery in Thailand.

Ryan Straschnitzki was paralyzed from the waist down following the crash, but has since been able to take his first steps following surgery.

Straschnitzki said he didn’t know his future, and didn’t know the technology that was out there when it comes to helping with his recovery.

“I was always trying to stay hopeful and positive,” he said. “In a year and a half, this surgery has already come out and it’s brand new technology. I’m just staying hopeful, and hopefully something comes out in the next few years.”

Doctors implanted an epidural simulator into his spine. The unit sends electrical currents to his spinal cord to stimulate nerves and move his limbs.

Surgeons mapped out different commands for the simulator, giving Straschnitzki the opportunity to move certain nerves, and ultimately move his limbs.

The surgery has yet to come to Canada, but Straschnitzki said he hopes it does become common practice in the future.

“Some people believe it will take five to 10 years for Canada to even implement this surgery, and provide it for people,” he said. “We’re just a little bit behind right now, but again there’s a lot of complicated processes.”

Straschnitzki was told about the surgery by one of his doctors in Calgary who’d had the surgery in the past. He said the research has been done, and the results have been proven.

“If Canada was able to improve this kind of surgery, I think it will help a lot of people out,” Straschnitzki said.

Others have contacted Straschnitzki with their stories of travelling around the world for similar surgeries.

He said there are a lot of people looking for hope, and the surgery has already improved his quality of life.

When it comes to the future, Straschnitzki said he hopes to continue his physio and get stronger. He has been on the ice to continue training to accomplish his new goal of being a member of the Canadian sledge hockey team.

He said it felt different with the simulator, but it’s a feeling he’ll have to get used to.

“It’s hard to explain, but everything kinda tightens up, and you feel like you have more control,” he said.