Emotional moment paralyzed man tells dad he can feel his leg again

By Barney Riley via SWNS

This is the emotional moment a paraplegic man surprised his dad with the news that he had regained feeling in one leg.

Richard Reynolds, 30, broke his neck in a snowboarding accident that left him paralyzed.

But, in an emotional surprise video, bed-bound Richard is seen telling his dad Ron Reynolds, that he has regained some feeling in his right leg.

Ron, 56, is visibly emotional and reaches out to touch his son's leg.

He said: "It was one of the most wonderful things I have ever heard.

"It was like an emotional release. I had been too scared to hope, but I felt so much hope in that moment.

"I just cried like a baby. Happiest moment of my life."

Richard, a snowboarding instructor in Spokane, Wash., was on the slopes with his friends when he fell awkwardly.

He hit his forehead above his eye - but the force and the angle broke his neck, that left him paraplegic.

Richard said: "I was at the end of the run, only going a few miles per hour.

"I had come to almost a complete stop and turned around to see if my buddy was behind me.

"When I turned around to look I fell forward and the next thing I knew I was face down in the snow.

"I remember trying to move my arms and only my shoulders moved. I couldn’t move my arms.

"When I realized I couldn’t move my body I started laughing. I knew instantly I was paralyzed."

Richard broke his neck at C2, which caused the nerves in his neck to swell and put pressure on his spinal cord.

He spent two weeks in ICU before he was able to return home and also underwent two surgeries.

According to doctors, the swelling will take two years to subside.

Before his accident, Richard was well involved in family life - in particular with his dad - and the accident and his recovery has taken its toll on everybody.

Ron has dropped everything and been by Richard's side throughout the ordeal.

He said: "This has been the most horrible thing I have ever been through.

"It is scary and you feel like you have no control of anything.

"It has drained me and I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I don’t know how we keep going and I am scared."

Richard added: "My dad has always been the person I have gone to when I need something and vice versa.

"I can’t imagine what this has been like for him.

"He has to do everything for me now. His whole life has changed."

Richard's ongoing rehabilitation now involves physical and occupational therapy and continued exercises.

He said: "We are on the at-home physical therapy and occupational therapy part of recovery.

"We are trying to use as much of this as possible so that we have the best shot at a full recovery.

"After I finish that program I move on to the outpatient portion which is more about strength training.

"I am still progressing so the goal is to keep doing the more intense therapy, engaging those nerves and pushing myself to get back to something close to the life I had.

"I am regaining feeling and mobility in my right arm and hand, and am
starting to feel hot and cold again.

"I can also feel which direction my left leg is in, which is relatively new."