Sheila Verts, thus far, has lived her life in full spectrum. On one hand, this native Iowan bears a degree in Elementary Education, reads for pleasure, and could consider it a great day sitting on the couch just playing with her cats and dogs watching anything from Pride and Prejudice to Marvel movies. Her career evolved into the role of a Small Business Loan Officer, which eventually relocated her from Des Moines to Las Vegas.

On the other hand, Sheila loves snow skiing, scuba diving, mountain biking, and is an avid cyclist overall – with her longest ride being 105 miles. At any point in 2017, you could find her in any of the 15 countries she’s visited during her very own yearlong tour of the world. Besides her genuine love for 90s grunge music, probably one of the most fascinating facts about Sheila is that she’s managed a Vegetarian lifestyle for now over 15 years despite the many temptations presented during all her global ventures!

Albeit, her love for pasta, bread, chocolate, and wine certainly helped her through it – plus her supportive husband, Drew! Sheila and Drew have been married for 19 years, and he, too, shares her love for cycling, delicious food, and world-travelling. Together, you could likely find them working on jigsaw puzzles, attending Broadway shows at Las Vegas’ renowned Smith Center, or scuba diving in Mexico, Hawaii, or the Great Barrier Reef. In fact, Sheila was working on her Master Diver certification right before her impending accident.

Despite their many incredible undertakings, fate seemed to have in store a journey that most don’t plan on having. In January 2019, on one of their weekly Sunday drives out to Blue Diamond for a mountain biking ride, Sheila and Drew were hit head on by an SUV at 60 mph on Highway 159. For reasons unknown, the approaching driver ran off the road, eventually overcorrecting into their lane. While Drew came out of it nearly unscathed, Sheila suffered a deacceleration/acceleration traumatic brain injury from the impact.

The two and a half weeks to follow consisted of a comatose state at UMC Trauma Center. Eventually coming to, Sheila spent two months at a long-term acute care hospital then over five months at Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, where she committed to both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation therapy. Sheila finally returned home in September of 2019, and has since been participating in home therapy, outpatient rehabilitation, the Nevada Community Enrichment Program, and of course, DRIVEN.

Sheila has been a member of DRIVEN since February 2020. Having only been training with us for just a few months now, Sheila’s recovery has been impeccable. Not only have we witnessed a significant improvement in her motor skills and gait, her verbalization and ability to communicate has dramatically increased. Short-phrased answers and questions from earlier in the year have evolved into full-length conversation and even hilarious quips from Sheila on a regular basis.

Sheila is a role model for the traumatic brain injury community, and continually excites and inspires our own Activity-Based Trainers. Her progress has genuinely impressed us all – and we see a lot of cool stuff here. While there is always more work to be done, Sheila has achieved lengths and we know she will continue to do so.

And in spite of everything, Sheila wants to make sure the world knows: She’s loved cats, still loves cats, and will always love cats – for as long as cats shall exist.

In honor of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month for September, we are featuring a truly incredible member here at DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center! Mr. Eddie Haney Jr., age 40, has lived with a T3 level Spinal Cord Injury for almost 15 years – in fact, the 27th of this very month will be the 15th anniversary of his head on collision with a drunk driver that fateful morning.

Having lived in Las Vegas, Nevada since soon after his accident, Eddie spent the earlier years of his adulthood in Georgia then Melbourne, Florida. He has an Associate Degree in IT-Visual Communications and had been working as a pharmacy tech at Walgreens for three years, then management, up until 2005. “I ended up in Las Vegas 15 years ago. My mother had just been transferred here when I had my car accident. So, when I was able to be moved, my family brought me out here for rehab and to help repair my life,” says Eddie.

When talking about his accident from 2005, Eddie explains that it was merely forgetting his keys that set him back by just five minutes – eventually leading to the one minute that would change his life indefinitely.

I was rushing to work when I locked myself out of the house. I had to bang on the door until my roommate woke up so I could grab my keys. This put me behind by 5 minutes. I was on the highway behind a dump truck doing 50mph. We were both in the left lane and I was hoping he would move over so I could pass him. All of a sudden, he moves right and everything from that moment on goes dark until I wake up 6 weeks later…

Eddie eventually came out of his induced coma to find a tracheotomy tube in his throat. Being brought up to speed with what happened, he learned that he CODED FOUR TIMES just on the way to the hospital. It’s to no surprise that Eddie also had six broken ribs, a fractured pelvis, and both lungs punctured. Doctors had even told his family to not expect him to be alive by the time they would arrive in state to see him.

While there are many challenges Eddie has had to learn to overcome, re-learning to breathe was one of the scariest of them all. [T]o be feeling like you cannot get enough air not because you are underwater but because you cannot get your lungs to work right is terrifying. After about three weeks of daily exercise I no longer needed the ventilator and was breathing on my own.

Overall, Eddie sees the ways that this incident has dramatically impacted his life both negatively and positively. On one hand, it took away his career, a relationship, and a lot of independence on simply daily tasks that he says, too often people take for granted. Specifically, he misses the quick showers and rollercoasters – oh, the rollercoasters, don’t even get me started! On the other hand, he is so at peace with the life he leads now. To begin with, I am ALIVE – thanks to my God, doctors, and EMTs that returned me from the dead FOUR TIMES. Eddie says he is especially grateful for the past 15 years of real quality time he has spent with the family that he took for granted prior to his accident. During his time in the hospital, his brother was stationed in Iraq (U.S. Army branch) and was flown back to the States to see him, bringing an American Flag hat as a gift. To this day, Eddie holds on to this hat and cherishes it dearly.

Ultimately, he has chosen to take advantage of this new life as a chance to change himself and the world. Living by the slogan I Am Normal – emphasizing that your normal is as normal as any other – Eddie is finishing up his motivational autobiography, Living the Ultimate You, and working towards a career in motivational speaking. He also set a personal goal back in November 2019 to lose 100lbs in one year. He is very excited to announce that he is over halfway there with less 35lbs to go!

In his time at DRIVEN, Eddie has been one of the most dedicated clients we have had the honor of training. Not only is he committed to his weekly scheduled activity-based training sessions, but he comes in on his own time for the accessible gym. What I like most about DRIVEN is the family nature of the place. It seems like once you are a member and are attending there, not only are you being helped and being given support from the trainers and staff; but you are also given support from many of the other clients as well.

Besides coming to work out, Eddie’s favorite activities include accessible hiking at Wetlands Park early in the morning – the beavers, roadrunners, and all the other birds in the park – there is so much wildlife that you would never believe is right inside our city, it would truly amaze you – and going to concerts and musical festivals. I love just exploring all of my boundaries; because I don’t feel like I have any.

Lastly, Eddie has this message for the world:

Even though I am a motivational speaker and have overcome many obstacles, I am not perfect. There are many times where I need help and need a hug. So, it is alright to get upset from time to time. What is not alright is giving up. You must always keep trying to make yourself and your life better than it is today.

The next time you’re at DRIVEN, come say hi to Eddie!

Aloha!

This is Tyler a.k.a. Kicker and I am an Activity-Based Trainer Aide here at DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center out here in Las Vegas.  I was born and raised in Hawai’i and moved to the 9th island (Las Vegas, NV) in March 2019. Making the move was hands down the craziest thing I’ve ever done, but it was necessary to grow as an individual. I love to exercise and also just sit back and relax. Growing up, sports was a huge part of my life. I was always involved in something (soccer, football, basketball, track, and judo). I was also lucky enough to play a little football o n the collegiate level at Mayville State University in North Dakota and the University of Hawaii.

I graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science. I worked as a Rehabilitation Technician for 2 years at Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific. We specialized in helping those with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, complicated orthopedic injuries, cardiac and pulmonary conditions, and other conditiona. For three years I ran the Strength and Conditioning program at Pearl City High School and was a personal trainer for one year.

My grandma plays a big role in my decision to work in therapy. Back in 2011-2012, my grandma became very ill and I became her main caregiver. This responsibility was mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting. I tried my best to help her with her activities of daily living (ADL’s). I had no idea what I was doing and sometimes I felt like I was hurting her more than actually helping her. Eventually we had a home health Occupational Therapist start therapy with her and things finally started to get better. The OT taught me different exercises, ADL techniques, and ways to make her home safer and more accessible. Everything clicked and I decided that I wanted to become an Occupational Therapist. After I graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I started to work at Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific to gain experience. I was able to learn from amazing PTs, OTs, SLPs, RNs, and RTs in an acute hospital setting. It’s kind of funny because I was frequently asked by therapists and nurses if OT was really what I wanted to do. I was told that I would be wiping butts for a living and that teaching ADLs is repetitive and boring. To be honest, OT might not be as glorified as being a PT, but I find OT to be very fulfilling. I always think back to when I would struggle with helping my grandma use the bathroom or how it took an hour to help her get dressed. That is something that will always stick with me and that is the reason why I decided to go down this path.

When I moved to Vegas, my goal was to apply to OT school. I never expected to find a place like DRIVEN. Working here for the past 7 months has been nothing short of amazing. When it came to the rehab field, I thought I’d already seen it all, but there’s so much more to it. People tend to ask me what makes DRIVEN different, and I don’t know where to begin. DRIVEN is a place where people are continuously working on getting stronger and better. It’s a facility that will push you beyond the limits and support you on your journey to recovery. We help make “impossible” into I’m Possible. Here at DRIVEN, we don’t give up on anyone’s goals and everyone that walks through those doors is treated like family. This is why I love working here. I am very excited and blessed to be a part of this team, and I can’t wait to see where this journey will take me.

My name is Jennine Marquez and I am an Activity-Based Trainer Aide here at DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center in Las Vegas, Nevada! I was born here in Las Vegas, but during my elementary years I lived in Indiana and Illinois and then finally came back to Nevada for middle school. I have been in Vegas ever since so I technically consider myself to be born and raised here. In my free time I love doing anything active, hanging with family, trying new food places, going to concerts and music festivals, and playing (self-taught) guitar and bass.

In 2019, I graduated at UNLV with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Ever since I was younger, I was always active and playing sports – whether it’d be playing softball, basketball, or just riding my skateboard around the neighborhood. My decisions to major in Kinesiology as well as become a Physical Therapist were greatly influenced by my love for softball and always being physically active. I was lucky enough to obtain a job at a Physical Therapy clinic as a Rehabilitation Technician where that solidified my aspirations for Physical Therapy.

I was looking for jobs to see what was out there. I stumbled upon this opening for DRIVEN and read that having a degree was an actual requirement. I was very fortunate to find a job where I would be able to apply my foundational knowledge of kinesiology and anatomy/physiology. Because I had just graduated, I thought to myself, “Why not?” and applied!

A few weeks after my college graduation I had the great opportunity to interview and be selected to work for DRIVEN! I have always been someone that is afraid of change and when I get comfortable I tend to stay there for a long time and become complacent. After being a rehab tech for a couple of years I knew that it was time for me to leave and go to DRIVEN where I had more opportunities to learn and grow. I couldn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to work so in-depth with such a variety of neurological disabilities and conditions. Ever since starting at this position I have broadened my knowledge and I am learning something new everyday. I have become passionate working with this population and will continue to give my best to DRIVEN and everyone that steps foot through our doors!

As co-owner of Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, founder and Chairman of Conquer Paralysis Now, and owner of DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center in Southern Nevada, Sam Schmidt is racing more than cars – he’s racing towards a cure for paralysis.

Sam Schmidt is a longtime resident of Nevada, having spent most of his life bearing a passion for motorsports and racecars. At as early as 5 years of age, Sam could be found racing motorcycles. After earning his B.S. in Business Administration and M.B.A. in International Finance at Pepperdine University, he entered his first official competition season with the IndyCar Racing League – coming out on top as both pole winner and race winner at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

It wasn’t too soon after, in the year 2000, when Sam endured an impactful crash at the Walt Disney World Speedway during practice for the upcoming season opener. At 200 miles per hour to the wall, Sam was left with severe injuries to his spinal cord at the C-3/4/5 levels.

Within one year of his new life with quadriplegia, Sam went on to make big moves founding the 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF). The SSPF raised funds by the millions for the next 14 years for medical research, innovative equipment geared towards functional rehabilitation and aiding quality-of-life issues, and advocacy and treatment programs for spinal cord injury patients and their families and caregivers.

Sheila Schmidt (Wife of Sam), Sam Schmidt (Owner/Chairman, CPN), Mayor Goodman of Las Vegas, Amy Daniels (Executive Director, CPN), Brandi Kurka (Executive Director, DRIVEN)

Albeit, the achievements of the foundation did not lead to a cure. In 2014, Sam rebranded his organization to what is known today as Conquer Paralysis Now (CPN) with the purpose of finding a cure for paralysis while continuing to assist those with spinal cord injuries and other neurological injuries/disabilities.

To date, more than $15 million in total has been invested into scientific research and programs which aim toward a cure for paralysis and supporting people with disabilities and injuries to live more fulfilling and independent lifestyles.

Sam Schmidt hasn’t crossed the finish line yet though.

After years of just a dream between Sam and his longtime personal assistant and SCI recovery trainer, Brandi Kurka (now Executive Director of DRIVEN), Las Vegas’ first fully accessible fitness and wellness center held its Grand Opening in December 2018.

DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center is considered an extension program of the parent 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Conquer Paralysis Now, that implements an explicit course of action towards the treatment of paralysis and other neurological conditions. Additionally, as part of a non-profit, portions of donations and contributions made out to CPN and DRIVEN are dedicated to compensating program expenses that not all clients are able to fully afford. Together, CPN and DRIVEN work tirelessly in fundraising and outreach to provide the community of disabled people throughout Las Vegas the most fulfilling and substantial experience possible.

And although Sam Schmidt is no longer racing on the speedway, you can find him committing to his own laps on DRIVEN’s robot-assisted walking simulation G-EO System with one of our activity-based trainers.

At first glance, DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center might look like your average gym. Overhead press, squat rack, treadmills – it’s all here. However, look just a moment longer and you’ll find quite a few pieces that distinguish DRIVEN from your run-of-the mill gym. Though our machines bleed bright with DRIVEN red, you might notice the splashes of yellow that make our facility life changing for people with physical disabilities. These simple yellow knobs and bars allow our everyday gym equipment to transform into an open fitness floor of wheelchair-friendly modalities. Across the Cybex Total Access strengthening equipment and SciFit cardio machines, seats either swing out of the way or slide off completely, allowing a person in any kind of wheelchair – electric or manual – complete access to a better version of themselves.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a gym without personal training services. Here at DRIVEN, our personal trainers specialize in activity-based training that targets functional recovery via neuroplasticity of the body’s central nervous system. They are trained and educated by the NeuroRecovery Network under The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and NextStep neurorecovery training principles. Our activity-based trainers translate the latest scientific knowledge into real world application by tailoring dynamic workout programs specific to every neurological injury or condition they encounter.

Additionally, DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center serves as a one-stop shop for people with neurologically-based disabilities. Thanks to collaborations with existing programs throughout Southern Nevada, we are able to target a holistic approach to health and wellness on the physical, emotional, and mental level. Beyond our entirely accessible gym, DRIVEN houses the headquarters of Downtown Las Vegas Yoga & Wellness Co-Op, offering yoga, meditation, specialized massages, and trauma recovery practices. Licensed therapists also bear residence at DRIVEN, providing private and group counseling, and regular support groups for disabled people, families, and caregivers. In reflection of DRIVEN’s likeness, these third-party services offered within our facility are each accommodating and user-friendly for individuals at all levels of ability; including offering either free or discounted prices for DRIVEN members, caregivers, and families. Our facility also offers the convenience and accessibility of adaptive mobility and wheelchair consultations, minor repairs, and referrals via our mobility specialist and representative of the renowned wheelchair-distributor company, Permobil.

From victims of traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, to those who have acquired neurodegenerative conditions – such as Transverse Myelitis or MS (Multiple Sclerosis) – in the middle of their life, DRIVEN has fostered an environment where people at practically any level of functioning have the tools to direct their care to any degree – from complete independence to fully hands-on training – and thrive on all levels of wellness.