Ron's Story
Ron was involved in an 18-wheeler truck accident 31 years ago; he and his family’s lives were changed forever because of his injuries. Ron sustained a spinal cord injury that left him with no movement; he was just 42 years old.
Through the years Ron has endured many of the complications that living with a spinal cord injury can bring. He required daily chest physiotherapy (CPT) to clear secretions from his lungs. This was difficult for his family and caregivers to administer because of the positioning that is required. Ron’s wife Karen said, “It used to work a lot better for Ron early on when he was first injured, but as the years went on it just got more difficult.” Ron was developing more respiratory complications and in 2005 he was introduced to The Vest® Airway Clearance System by his pulmonologist, who felt Ron could benefit from The Vest® System therapy.
As Ron’s pulmonary impairment increased, creating more respiratory difficulties, Karen stated, “He’s been breathing on his own for 30 years, but we finally had to do the trach.” Ron and Karen made the decision for him to get a tracheotomy and he has become ventilator dependent. Ron had been using The Vest® System and an in-sufflation/ex-sufflation device prior to having the trach placed and continues to use both devices on a daily basis with repeated success. Ron often receives his therapy with The Vest® System in his bed prior to getting up for the day and then again at the end of the day. He also asks for extra treatments during the day if needed, stating, “... and then sometimes in between we might use it if I get a little clogged up.”
When Ron first began The Vest® Airway Clearance Therapy he used the Full Vest garment. During a hospitalization he was introduced to the disposable Wrap Vest garment and immediately realized how easy it was for caregivers to maneuver him in and out of it for his treatment. Ron began using the permanent Wrap Vest garment at home. Karen offered, “Now, with the wrap—because it just goes around the chest—it really works much better for us.” Ron echoed her sentiment by stating, “It is easy to put the wrap on. It’s more comfortable.”
Ron and Karen are looking forward to a new grandchild and spending time with their children. Ron feels the therapy he receives with The Vest® Airway Clearance System has helped him, allowing him to participate more fully with his family. When asked how he felt after a treatment, he said, “Well, like now I can breathe with nice deep breaths and be allowed to talk with you for a while.” After the years of living with his injury and the challenges he faces daily, Ron and Karen have adapted to all the medical devices that they use in his care. When asked again about The Vest® System, he said, “It’s a piece of my life.”