Dennis Fidel's Cottage Journey
“I’m living a full life as I continue to heal –
thanks to Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital." – Dennis Fidel
Back on the Bike
Dennis recently returned to the trails on a Bowhead adaptive bike that was funded in part by the Patient Assistance Fund from the Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation.
“This is from my first ride since the accident,” Dennis said. “It was such an amazing experience to be back in nature and fresh air and to be there with my friends, Jeff and Glenn.”
Dennis didn’t realize the severity of his injury until a paramedic called an airlift to rush him to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and its Level 1 Trauma Center.
An avid athlete for years, Dennis had been riding the Orcutt trails to prepare for the Central Coast Mountain Bike Race. He was ready – physically and mentally – but something went wrong on this ride, and he lost control, hit the ground and was suddenly numb from the neck down. A friend riding with him called 9-1-1.
Dennis had suffered a spinal cord contusion – a traumatic injury to the spine – to the C4 to C7 vertebrae in his neck. He required surgery, and there was a 50/50 chance he would ever walk again.
After undergoing a laminectomy (also known as decompression surgery), Dennis spent eight days in the ICU and was transferred to Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, where he found inspiration in the therapists. “They made me believe I could recover,” Dennis said. “When I thought I couldn’t do something, they said, ‘yes, you can.’ They kept me motivated, and with each day I felt better.”
Though Dennis had no feeling from the neck down, he was getting stronger every day. One day he wanted to stand up. The therapists helped him up with equipment to stand on his own two feet. “That brightened me up,” Dennis said. “I knew I could do this.” After 59 days, Dennis was discharged to go home.
These days -- three years later -- Dennis continues to improve. He was able to get his driver’s license reissued and currently drives himself from the north part of Santa Barbara County to Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital for outpatient therapy, and he’s often able to walk from the parking lot into the center.
“I’ve been where the valleys are dark, and I’ve been able to rise up out of them,” Dennis said. “I’m moving, walking, and I’m somewhat independent at home. I’m able to go to my kids’ events and to family gatherings, and in January I’m returning to school to major in computer science and web design.”
Dennis’ friends say nothing can stop him, and he knows they’re right.
“My mind is set on moving forward,” Dennis said. “I’m excited about the future.”
