In 1994, Khaldoon, a 17-year old honors student and swimming champion from Syria, suffered a spinal cord injury in a diving accident leaving him a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic (tetraplegic). Sixteen years later, he was implanted with the Avery Breathing Pacemaker and was pacing 24/7 less than one year post surgery. In 2015, after four years of continuous pacing, he reported no stimulation on the right side, “due to vigorous physiotherapy.”
In October 2016, after one and one half years of diaphragm inactivity, Khaldoon travelled to the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE, and had his implants replaced. Within three months post-surgery, he returned to 24/7 pacing. Khaldoon says “Breathing using the pacer is considerably easier than before.” Using an eye-tracking mouse, he holds a full-time job as a server administrator and maintains and develops websites. Khaldoon currently lives in Sharjah, UAE and is now studying in a local university, sitting in a wheelchair for 12 hours a day, three days a week. The picture shows Khaldoon speaking in a conference.
The Avery Diaphragm Pacemaker is an implanted phrenic nerve or diaphragm stimulator. It consists of surgically implanted electrodes and receivers with an external transmitter and antennas. To learn more about the benefits of the Avery Diaphragm Pacemaker, please contact us by mail, phone, or through our website.
