David Dodero
My name is David Dodero. I am 67 years old.
In October 2014, at the age of 62, my life took a drastic turn. I experienced a serious case of food poisoning while on a business trip to Spain. Unlike normal food poisoning, however, the symptoms of my illness didn’t follow the regular progression. My illness began with gastric distress. It soon developed into something much worse. Upon returning from Spain I got up to get ready for the office and collapsed. I regained consciousness and stood up. I slowly walked down the stairs to go to the ER. Little did I know that it would be the last time that I would walk down the stairs in over five years. I spent several days in ICU upon, which I lost all movement from the shoulders down. After extensive testing, I was diagnosed with transverse myelitis. This is a neurological condition associated with inflammation on both sides of the spinal cord. The physicians assigned to my case felt that the bacterial infection was a trigger for the disease. I had to retire early from my profession as an audiologist in Santa Barbara. Since the onset, I have regained the use of my arms and have some finger movement in my hands.
After 5 years, for the moment, I’m still in a wheelchair. One thing I have realized through all of this is how things can change in an instant. I no longer see life through the same lens I did before this event. Life is more precious and hope is constant. I am actively pursuing many different activities including The Perfect Step to regain what I have lost. Despite the drastic changes that shocked my body, I remain optimistic. I am extremely grateful for my dedicated wife of 45 years, two sons and a beautiful daughter in law. We also have a close group of friends and extended family that have been with us from the beginning. While my family support has had a huge impact on my attitude, I credit a great deal of my inner strength to my faith in God. When things like this happen, people always ask, “Why did this happen?” What’s the point in asking that? Instead, I say “I want to use this tragedy to positively affect others.”
My wife and I travel from Santa Barbara and spend 3 days in Claremont every other week so I can receive the exceptional services at The Perfect Step. These expert services are not available in our area. I’m so thankful for The Be Perfect Foundation. The financial help given to me has lifted some of the burdens to be able to afford on-going sessions at The Perfect Step. Because the trainers have the knowledge and expertise specifically in spinal cord injuries, their program for me has increased my upper body and lower body strength.
My goal is to keep myself in a positive and vision oriented environment to fuel my determination in my recovery process. My future goal is to be able to use my hands and walk again. To date, the support I have received from Be Perfect is instrumental in reaching my goals.
My dream is to be able to do restorative therapy at home with the right equipment in-between my visits to The Perfect Step.
I am so humbly grateful to the donors and their generous gift to me. I believe the best is yet to come! One day I hope to give back to a community that has given so much to me.
