A doctor, who delivered thousands of Utah babies is in the hospital himself the victim of a spinal cord injury.
At first doctors thought it might leave him paralyzed for life.
News Specialist Pamela Davis has the story of a doctor, who now has a patient's perspective on a life-changing injury.
Six weeks ago, Dale Hull was a healthy, happy father of four.
He's an obstetrician who has delivered thousands of Utah babies.
Hundreds of people depended on him -- as their doctor.
Until a terrible accident turned the doctor into a patient.
A backflip on a backyard trampoline landed Dale Hull in the hospital.
At first, doctors worried he'd be paralyzed from the neck down -- forever.
Dr. Joel MacDonald/UMC Neurosurgeon: "HE WAS VIRTUALLY ABLE TO ONLY PICK HIS HEAD UP OFF THE PILLOW, AND THAT WAS IT."
Paralysis was a devastating diagnosis.
Suddenly his practice, his surgical skills, his entire career seemed to hang in the balance.
Dr. Dale Hull/Spinal Cord Injury Patient: "AS CHRISTOPHER REEVE SAID, YOU'RE DEFINED BY WHAT YOU DO. AND WHEN YOU CAN'T DO THAT AGAIN, WHEN YOU CAN'T DO THAT ANYMORE, YOU BECOME NOTHING. UNTIL YOU REDEFINE YOURSELF."
For the first few weeks in the hospital, he could barely move.
Dr. Dale Hull/Spinal Cord Injury Patient: "YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING. A PIECE OF LINT FALLS ON YOUR CHEEK --YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO COME AND GET IT."
Gradually, Dr. Hull began to make progress.
Now he can move his right arm well enough to try writing.
Rehab is helping him regain some of the motor skills he lost.
Pamela Davis, Reporting: "PEOPLE CAN RECOVER FROM SPINAL CORD INJURIES. BUT THE COST OF THE THERAPY AND REHABILITATION CAN BE STAGGERING. AS MUCH AS HALF A MILLION DOLLARS PER PATIENT."
Dr. James Swenson/Rehabilitation Division Chairman: THE SAD PART OF ALL THIS IS WHEN I SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNFUNDED, OR HAVE VERY LIMITED FUNDING. AND IN SOCIETY, WE DON'T TAKE CARE OF THEM TOO MUCH. THE INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE CERTAIN LIMITS AND CERTAIN BENEFITS, AND THEN THEY EXPECT THE STATE TO TAKE OVER.))
As Dale Hull struggles through his own rehab, he can't help but wonder if there might be better ways to help spinal cord injury patients -- better ways to funnel money to research and new equipment.
"IF I CAN MOTIVATE ANYBODY --THE PUBLIC, THE LEGISLATURE, TO THINK AND MAKE THIS A HIGHER PRIORITY, I'LL FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT."
Focusing public attention on an issue like spinal injury might be a struggle.
But these days, Dale Hull's every move is a struggle -- and he's enjoying success.
The man who might have been paralyzed for life is standing...and even walking.
Dr. Hull, says he knows a lot of families, who have gotten rid of their trampolines since his accident.
He says, he hasn't encouraged anyone to do that. But, thinks people should be aware of the risk anytime they're involved in sports.
