Quadriplegic Seeks

Stem Cell Surgery

BETHEL — A Bethel man who has been a quadriplegic for more than four years is seeking donations to help him go overseas for experimental surgery.

Cisco Fernandes, 34, believes that the stem cell surgery in Portugal will help restore his physical abilities. The procedure, not available in the United States, will be done at a hospital in Lisbon. The stem cells would come from Mr Fernandes’ own body.

“I know that in the future there will be a cure for paralysis in the United States but I am afraid it will be too late for me,” he said. “I know I will walk again. I am very determined and want to help make a difference for the future of all spinal cord injuries.”

The procedure, called olfactory tissue transplantation, removes cells from the patient’s nasal cavity and implants them in the spinal cord to make a “bridge” for the nerve signals to flow again.

“This surgery works,” Mr Fernandes said. “It has been performed on six American patients and two of them are already walking. Since the cells are from your own body, there is no risk of rejection.”

Arrangements for the surgery is being done through the Center for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.

The surgery and rehabilitation will not be covered by insurance because it is deemed to be experimental. The surgery alone will cost about $38,000. Rehabilitation afterwards costs about $240 a day and will be needed three days a week for six months.

Mr Fernandes was injured in 2000 when he dove into a pool during a camping trip in upstate New York and hit his head. He has been paralyzed ever since from the upper chest down.

“I don’t want to just live. I want to be alive!” Mr Fernandes said. “I don’t want my window to close without having the chance to make a difference. Most criteria for experimental surgery is two years post [after the accident] and 35 years old. I am four years post and 34 years old. My window is almost closed.”

Mr Fernandes said he has been dedicated to working out and keeping his body strong for the surgery and rehabilitation.

Donations to help Mr Fernandes get the experimental cell surgery and rehabilitation may be sent to the Cicso Fund, c/o Cisco and Jenn Fernandes, PO Box 876, Bethel CT 06801. Credit card payments can be made on the internet at www.paypal.com and payment sent to CiscoFund@aol.com.