Whitney Hope- Spotlight Story

On Tuesday July 22, 2003, the Ruhlmans and two other families from Life Church were camping at Pismo Beach. While off-road riding on the beach, John hit a sand berm and was thrown head first into the sand. John, fully conscious, heard something snap and he could not move. He was transported to a hospital in Pismo and was stabilized. At this time John was regaining movement and feeling in his extremities. It was there doctors determined he had broken his C5 vertebra. He was then transferred to another hospital in San Luis Obisbo to prepare for surgery.

The Ugly Facts
It's not easy to forget that moment--although I have tried! I laid face down, looking at each small granule of sand through my helmet's goggles. It was then I knew for sure...as seconds earlier I clearly heard and felt the "snap"...that I broke my neck. After the strange and then terrifying experience of having my brain send a signal to my body saying, "stand-up"...but then having absolutely no response from my body, I quickly had to come to grips with the fact that I had a severe SPI (Spinal Cord Injury). I was a quadriplegic. Absolutely nothing moved below my neck. Words do not adequately describe the emotions and events of the next few days of my life.

The Surgery
Friday July 25, 2003
John went into surgery Thursday at 1:00 PM. After 5 & 1/2 hours of surgery John emerged with very positive signs.

Electronic impulse tests were done on muscles before and after surgery and the results were much improved after the surgery.

Swelling subsided after the surgery. No nerve damage was found. A bone graft was done, his vertebra was fused. The halo has been removed

John is recovering well. He is sitting up in bed, laughing, and moving around. However, doctors still want him to stay still. He looks good and the IV has been removed for now. He is in good spirits and is on a normal diet. He requested "Cherry Garcia" ice cream from Ben & Jerry's. His right side is still weak and there is still swelling from the surgery as well. A physical therapist is scheduled to meet with John today to poke and prod and check reflexes.

Saturday July 26, 2003
11:00 AM
A physical therapist worked with John on gross motor skills today. His left side is virtually 100% but the right side is much weaker, still due to the swelling. He has full range of motion but from the elbow to the fingertips and the knee to the toes there is little strength. A therapist to assess fine motor skills is scheduled today. John has sat up in bed a few times.

The really good news is...John will be transferred by ambulance somewhere closer on Monday. It is yet to be determined exactly where he will go.

Monday July 28, 2003
Looks like John will be transferred to Sharps Spinal Rehab center on Tuesday. I spoke with him today and he is about the same, but he and Carrie are overwhelmed by the generosity of Life Church. The offering taken for him (Sunday, July 27, 2003) was a huge blessing and encouragement.

Thursday August 14, 2003
Update from John
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,

Thanks you so much for your prayers and encouraging words. I was just released from Sharp Spinal Rehab in San Diego. Yahooooo, we're home!!! And healing! The people at Life Church and our "old friends:)" have been such an incredible support and encouragement. The road ahead will be slow and methodical (that statement is so opposite my personality:). Before getting into some detail, I'd like to say that God is teaching me soooo much. Here's a passage that lately I have found new meaning in.

Isaiah 40:25-31“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling each by its name. And he counts them to see that none are lost or have strayed away. O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

The Prayer
(It probably didn't come out exactly like this...but you'll get the idea) "God, I know I can talk to you anywhere...even laying face down in the sand. God, forgive me for that stupid decision...for not looking for the obstacles behind that last dune jump before charging it. Lord, you know I have committed my whole life to serving you. I won't stop now! I'll do my best, you can use anyone...even a quadriplegic! I will serve you...somehow!?!...even without the use of my body."

Then I began to think of the impact on my incredible wife (Carrie) and kids of a whole life caring for a "quad"...

"God, I know you have the power to heal me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I ask you to heal my body. Lord, you know that I will serve you either way...God, you don't even need me...you just want me to be willing...so I surrender to you. I Fully Surrender to You...my whole life. My broken body. Please Heal me, God. I love you."

The "Only God Can do That" Facts
Every Doctor I saw shook his head and said, "Do you know how fortunate you are?" My Neurosurgeon, after installing a "halo" (this one wasn't due to my "saintly" behavior), said "A C-5 vertebrae fracture of this severity almost certainly means paralysis." One could say "spinal shock" caused the temporary paralysis. I say God did what He's very good at. He performed a miracle! I have no doubt.

After 6 hours of surgery, and an "Erector set" made of titanium was installed in my neck: 8 screws, 2 plates, 6 bridges, some cable, and uhhh I think he threw in a John Deere Tractor (it feels like it anyway), the Doc fused my C-4,5&6 vertebrae together with a mixture of my bone (and he borrowed some from the bone bank)...then he sewed me back up.

Currently, I still have some paralysis in my right arm, a very slow right leg and tingly sensations over most of my body, nevertheless I am making good progress and I thank Him daily for the movement that I have!!