Jockey Eibar Coa has begun taking the first steps on the road to what
he is hoping will be a complete recovery from injuries suffered in a
spill at Gulfstream Park at Feb. 18 that originally left him paralyzed
throughout most of his body.
Speaking from his room in the rehabilitation center at Memorial South
Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., Coa said Monday that he is able to walk
short distances and is undergoing three hours of therapy daily.
“I can’t walk completely on my own – I always have someone behind me
in case I lose my balance – but I am able to walk about 10 to 20 steps
by myself then I need a little rest and then I can walk maybe 10 more,”
said Coa, 40. “I can walk good with assistance. The doctors say they are
so proud of the way I’m recovering. They tell me everything is coming
way too fast, that they’ve never seen anybody regain movement the way
I’m getting it so far.”
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