Rachel Jacobson, senior physical therapist, watches Will Lamkin as he walks using the body-weight-supported treadmill training. This system is used to help patients strengthen their gait.

St. Dominic SCI Patient Headed to The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis

On Oct. 26, 1985, in a football play against East Tennessee State, Citadel sophomore Marc Buoniconti suffered a dislocation of the C-3, 4 vertebrae, and a severe spinal cord injury (SCI) that would leave him paralyzed from the shoulders down. 

The 220-lb., 19-year-old faced a long, agonizing recovery, with no hope of walking again. Marc’s dad, legendary All-Pro and Hall of Famer linebacker and former Miami Dolphin Nick Buoniconti, teamed up with neurosurgeon Barth A. Green, MD, to co-found The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis in response to the dire need for research into the many SCI mysteries.

Now, Buoniconti presides over The Miami Project, which promotes collaborating between the scientific and clinical approaches to finding a cure for paralysis, and its fundraising arm, The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, which has raised more than $200 million. Housed in the Lois Pope LIFE Center, a Center of Excellence at the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, The Miami Project is recognized worldwide as one of the most comprehensive SCI research centers. Its international team consists of more than 200 scientists, researchers and clinicians known for their innovative approaches to SCI challenges.

“One day I was a normal kid … thinking about school, sports, and girls,” said Buoniconti. “The next thing you know, I’m out there talking to people about paralysis.  My goal is to get everyone out of these wheelchairs.”  

The tragedy that befell the football star’s son recently provided an unexpected boost to St. Dominic patient Will Lamkin of Canton, who suffered a debilitating SCI as a result of a 2008 automobile accident. Lamkin entered St. Dominic’s Outpatient Rehab Center an incomplete quadriplegic. Because of the severity of his injuries, the prognosis for his full recovery was relatively low. The 27-year-old’s remarkable progress led to his acceptance into a three-month clinical Miami Project trial that selected only 40 applicants worldwide. The program begins next month.

“Based on my experience, I felt he might get a little better, but I honestly wasn’t sure if he would ever walk again,” said Rachel Jacobson, senior physical therapist at St. Dominic's Outpatient Rehab Center. “That all changed after I began working with Will. He pushed me as hard as I pushed him. Whenever I’d mention something new that I planned to try during the next session, he’d insist on trying it then. I quickly learned that in order to get him to focus on that week’s work, I had to stay silent about future treatment.”

Wendy Barrilleaux, clinical coordinator of neurology service, added that while St. Dominic’s therapists often hear patients say “I will walk again,” the odds aren’t always in their favor, particularly for those like Lamkin with severe injuries. However, his determination to beat the odds and do whatever it took to get out of his wheelchair played a significant part in his recovery. Two years post-accident, Lamkin can stand up and walk with minimal assistance, a feat that seasoned therapists admit is a rare occurrence with someone suffering from his extensive injuries.

Lamkin’s strength of character was brought to the attention of Buoniconti, who is extremely selective in choosing applicants for the prestigious program. St. Dominic’s therapists are optimistic that during the clinical trial, Lamkin will not only discover solutions to his specific problems, including the effects of spasticity on his gait, but will bring information back to St. Dominic’s that can benefit their treatment programs.

“The Miami Project … is dedicated to finding more effective treatments for, and ultimately a cure for paralysis,” said Jacobson. “We’re excited that one of our patients will be in the midst of some of the nation’s top researchers, clinicians, and therapists whose expertise relates directly to the problem of spinal cord injury and whose full-time focus is spinal cord research. Hopefully, we can share in the knowledge he gains and use it to benefit other patients with injuries like his.”

Editor’s Note: Lamkin’s treatment will be free as a result of his participation in the clinical trial. Because he will incur other expenses related to travel and living arrangements, a scholarship fund has been established under “Will Lamkin Will Walk” at Merchants and Farmers Bank. For more information, call (601) 200-4920.

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