Friday, July 9

The Silver Lining


When David Blancarte was bitten by a poisonous spider, he never guessed the incident would have a happy ending. Blancarte, of Manteca, CA, had spent 21 years in a wheelchair after a motorcycle accident, but the spider's bite somehow reactivated the nerves in his legs. Now, he's walking again.

When Blancarte went to the hospital for treatment, the physical therapist used a device that gave him a slight electrical jolt. He felt the current in his legs. Doctors told him the spider bite woke up nerves that had been dormant. Since then, therapy has helped him walk again. "It's a beautiful feeling," he says.

12 comments:

donna said...

And apparently then committed an act of domestic violence....

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/16/national/main4870337.shtml

Arkansas Patti said...

Now that is really odd but truly wonderful. Wonder if "spider therapy" will become a standard? Somehow, I can only imagine that a drug company will find a way to turn a profit on it.

Star said...

That is an amazing story. I wonder if it will lead to research .

Tabor said...

If this is a true story I hope researchers are looking into spider bites for dormant nerves!! What are the odds that he would be bitten by a spider, the right spider, in the right place?

Olga said...

That really is amazing. Miracles do happen--just in unexpected ways.

srp said...

I am sure the researchers are looking into this. Brown recluse spider bites are nasty things... slow working and necrotizing. Many require extensive debridement of the tissue around the site and are extremely painful.

Pat said...

That's a great story. I hope Donna is mistaken.

Joy Des Jardins said...

What a heartwarming and amazing story. You just never know do you? Thanks Judy...

Lynn said...

That is amazing! The only positive outcome to a spider bite I've ever heard.

Grannymar said...

I never heard of that before, it is really amazing!

Darlene said...

I love a happy ending.

Batya said...

I heard a similar story years ago about a bee bite.
We never know what tomorrow brings.
SO happy for this guy.