In a recent Facebook and Instagram live, Attending Physician Dr Paulina hosted a live Q&A joined by Yreya, a 19-year-old spinal cord injury patient, about her treatment journey. Yreya, paralyzed from the chest down, T6-T8 complete SCI after a car accident in September 2023, initially struggling with core strength and walking. She received Stem Cell treatment and extensive physical therapy at Verita Neuro in Mexico, which contrasted with previous treatments.
Can you start off by introducing yourself and telling us about your injury?
Yreya: My name is Yreya. I’m 19 years old. I was in a car accident on September 24th, which left me paralyzed from the chest down with a T6-T8 complete injury. It’s been incredibly challenging, both physically and emotionally, but I have been determined to find treatments that could help improve my quality of life.
How did you find out about Verita Neuro, and what was the decision-making process like?
Yreya: It was actually my mum who found Verita Neuro. She was searching on Google for treatments for spinal cord injuries, and Verita Neuro came up. She looked deeper into their work, and that’s when we decided to reach out to them. The more we learned, the more hopeful we became about the treatments they offered in Mexico.
How did your family support you throughout the treatment process?
Yreya: My family, especially my mum, has been incredibly supportive throughout my journey. They were the ones who found Verita Neuro and encouraged me to keep going even when things got tough. Their belief in me and the treatment made a huge difference.
Yreya’s Expectations and Hopes
What treatments did you receive before coming to Verita Neuro?
Yreya: In Colorado, I was told I wouldn’t walk again, and they didn’t focus on exercises to improve my posture or challenge me to reach my potential. In Houston, the exercises didn’t address proper walking techniques. I relied heavily on my arms, which made me tire quickly, and no one corrected my stance.
How was your condition and mobility?
Yreya: Before coming to Verita Neuro, I couldn’t sit up on my own or maintain balance without falling over. I had no core strength and relied heavily on my arms for movement. Walking was difficult and exhausting, and my posture was completely unaligned.
What were your expectations before starting the treatment?
Yreya: My expectations were to be able to sit up on my own without needing support, to walk better, and to regain strength in my core and legs. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was ready to work towards these goals.
The Treatment at Verita Neuro
What treatment did you receive from Verita Neuro?
Yreya: At Verita Neuro, I received mesenchymal stem cell treatment from umbilical cord tissue. This was delivered through both lumbar puncture and intravenous injection. Alongside this, I had a lot of physical therapy, pelvic floor therapy, and other exercises that I hadn’t done before at other facilities. It was a much more comprehensive approach.
Dr. Paulina: We provided Yreya with mesenchymal stem cells, which are sourced from umbilical cord tissue. These stem cells were administered via intrathecal lumbar puncture and intravenous injections. This dual delivery ensures optimal interaction with the nervous system and overall recovery.
In addition to stem cell therapy, we tailored a detailed physical therapy plan to address her unique challenges. Yreya received pelvic floor therapy and various neurorehabilitation exercises to target her posture, core strength, and autonomic functions. I believe in taking a holistic, patient-focused approach to recovery, ensuring that each treatment complements the others for the best possible results.
Stem cells alone don’t work magic—physical therapy is critical to maximize their effectiveness. By combining advanced stem cell treatments with intensive neurorehabilitation, patients like Yreya can achieve measurable and meaningful progress.
What was your daily routine like during your time at Verita Neuro?
Yreya: My day at Verita Neuro began with pelvic floor therapy in the mornings, followed by a short break to rest. In the afternoons, I had two hours of physical therapy focused on my core strength, mobility, and posture. The structure and intensity of the routine kept my body active and allowed me to focus on key areas that needed improvement.
What makes Verita Neuro different from other places where you received treatment?
Yreya: The biggest difference is that they don’t give up on you. At other centres, they told me I wouldn’t walk again, and they didn’t push me beyond that. At Verita Neuro, they worked on my posture, core strength, and everything else to help me improve. The therapists really care, and they don’t just go through the motions—they make sure you’re making progress.
The therapists at Verita Neuro were incredible. They didn’t let me doubt myself, and they pushed me to achieve more than I thought I could. They were always encouraging and corrected my techniques to make sure I was improving the right way. Their support was a huge part of my progress.
Dr. Paulina: We focus on correcting posture, improving core strength, and addressing specific needs like bladder and bowel function. It’s not just about movement—it’s about quality of life and long-term functionality.
Facing Stem Cell Treatment Nerves
What were your initial fears or concerns before starting treatment at Verita Neuro?
Yreya: I was nervous, especially about the stem cell procedure. I thought it would hurt, but it didn’t. The therapists and doctors were incredibly supportive and made me feel at ease throughout the process. They explained every step, which helped reduce my anxiety.
Dr. Paulina: It’s common for patients to feel nervous, especially before lumbar punctures. Our team focuses on making the experience as comfortable as possible. Ensuring that patients understand the procedure builds their confidence and trust in the treatment process.
How did you feel before and after the stem cells?
Yreya: I was pretty nervous, especially about the lumbar puncture. But to my surprise, it didn’t hurt at all. During the second round, I felt a little sensation, but it wasn’t painful. I just felt tired afterwards, so I took it easy for the rest of the day.
Dr. Paulina: I remember how nervous Yreya was before the procedure—she was even shaking a bit. But she handled it really well, and we made sure she was comfortable throughout the process. Stem cells alone don’t work magic. Physical therapy is critical to maximize their effectiveness. By combining advanced stem cell treatments with intensive neurorehabilitation, patients like Yreya can achieve measurable results.
What were the biggest challenges you faced during your recovery at Verita Neuro?
Yreya: The biggest challenge was definitely the physical strain. There were times when I was exhausted and frustrated, especially when progress seemed slow. But the therapists kept pushing me and supporting me, and eventually, I started seeing results. It was tough, but it was worth it.
Remarkable Improvements After Treatment
What improvements have you seen since stem cell treatment?
Yreya: Since the treatment, I’ve seen a lot of changes. My core strength has improved so much that I can sit up on my own now, which I couldn’t do before. My walking has also improved significantly—I no longer have to rely as much on my arms. I’ve even regained sensations I didn’t have before. I can now feel heat on my legs, and I’m starting to get back the sensations related to my bladder and bowel—like knowing when I need to go and feeling that sense of relief afterward.
Dr Paulina: One of Yreya’s significant milestones was regaining sensation in her legs. Feeling heat and pressure again is a promising sign of neural recovery. Improvements in autonomic functions like bladder and bowel control – These changes are not only medical achievements but deeply enhance a patient’s independence and dignity.
What was your first reaction when you started noticing improvements?
Yreya: When I first started feeling heat on my legs, I was so excited! It was after about a week or two, and I couldn’t believe it. It was such a small thing, but it meant everything to me because it showed that the treatment was working. That first sign of progress gave me so much hope.
Since the treatment, I’ve seen a lot of changes. My core strength has improved so much that I can sit up on my own now, which I couldn’t do before. My walking has also improved significantly—I no longer have to rely as much on my arms. I’ve even regained sensations I didn’t have before. I can now feel heat on my legs, and I’m starting to get back the sensations related to my bladder and bowel—like knowing when I need to go and feeling that sense of relief afterward.
When I first started feeling heat on my legs, I was so excited! It was after about a week or two, and I couldn’t believe it. It was such a small thing, but it meant everything to me because it showed that the treatment was working. That first sign of progress gave me so much hope.
Since the treatment, I’ve seen a lot of changes. My core strength has improved so much that I can sit up on my own now, which I couldn’t do before. My walking has also improved significantly—I no longer have to rely as much on my arms. I’ve even regained sensations I didn’t have before. I can now feel heat on my legs, and I’m starting to get back the sensations related to my bladder and bowel—like knowing when I need to go and feeling that sense of relief afterward.
What does this progress mean to you?
Yreya: Being able to sit up, feel heat, and regain sensations like needing to use the bathroom are all really big achievements for me. It may sound small, but these are huge milestones in my recovery journey. I want to encourage others to not lose hope, even if it feels like progress is slow—every little improvement matters.
Hope for the Future
What are your future goals for your recovery?
Yreya: My future goals are to keep improving my walking so that I can reduce my reliance on any assistive devices. I also want to correct my posture further. I’m staying positive and determined as I continue my recovery.
How do you keep yourself motivated during the difficult parts of your journey?
Yreya: I remind myself of how far I’ve come. I think about all the things I couldn’t do before that I can do now, even if they’re small. The therapists here are also really encouraging, and my family supports me every step of the way. Staying focused on the little wins helps me stay motivated.
My future goals are to keep improving my walking so that I can reduce my reliance on any assistive devices. I also want to correct my posture further. I’m staying positive and determined as I continue my recovery.
A Message to Others
Do you have a message for others dealing with spinal cord injuries?
Yreya: The process is long, and it can be really frustrating, but when you start to see even the smallest changes, you realize that it’s all worth it. Every little improvement counts, and you have to keep going, no matter how tough it feels.
Dr. Paulina: The effectiveness of stem cell treatment is not limited to incomplete injuries. Even patients with complete injuries can see significant progres. The key factors are early intervention, consistent therapy, and a tailored approach. We’ve seen improvements in sensation, motor function, and quality of life—even in long-standing injuries. I’d like to add that every patient’s journey is unique. We aim to provide not only medical treatments but also emotional support, because we understand how important it is for patients to feel empowered and hopeful throughout their recovery.
As Yreya is bilingual, we received numerous questions in Spanish, which she and Dr. Paulina addressed live. You can watch the full video, including these responses, on our YouTube channel. The above are not verbatim transcript of Yreya’s live. Some comments have been slightly altered or re-arranged in order to improve the reading flow.
