Matthew Rymer of Mississippi is making marked progress nearly three years after he suffered serious injuries during a car crash, according to a published report.
With the assistance of someone who holds an occupational therapist job, Rymer – formerly a football player and a cross-country runner – saw his life change a few hours into 2010, The Natchez Democrat reports. Eighteen years old at the time, Rymer was a passenger in a truck that struck a tree after its driver lost control.
"I'm trying to become independent, so I can go off to college next year," the 21-year-old told the news source, noting he is aiming for the University of Southern Mississippi. "A lot of the stuff they said I wouldn't be able to do, I can do now so I think I'll be independent in a few years."
He endured a spinal column injury, more specifically a broken spine. At first he was paralyzed from his neck down, but he slowly regained sensation in the middle of his chest. He also was eventually able to begin using his arms again.
Occupational therapists help patients recover from injuries, illnesses and disabilities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.