Mackenzie Nash is getting married on October 21, 2023, and amongst the planning and anticipation of this exciting day comes a major goal that she has been working towards for over a year: a goal of walking down the aisle with no assistance.
On August 5, 2021, Mackenzie sustained a T12 spinal cord injury from a zip lining accident, severely
impacting the use of her legs. Following surgery and an inpatient stay at a hospital in Nebraska, Mackenzie was referred to On With Life for outpatient therapy in September 2021.
In stride with On With Life’s aim of meeting the needs of the community, the team came together to support Mackenzie and her primary goal of relearning to walk. Mackenzie says she felt confident that she was in good hands from the very beginning. In her initial evaluation Mackenzie was already mapping out her goals and defining barriers that could affect her progress with her therapy team.
“From day one I felt like my high-frequency, determined mindset was completely reciprocated by each and every one of the staff who have worked with me,” said Mackenzie. “I’ve never felt like just another person served; every person I’ve worked with has been invested in me during my sessions.”
And through these sessions, Mackenzie and her therapists were able to grow together. Between working with organizations such as American Prosthetics and Orthotics and using equipment at On With Life, the team was able to help Mackenzie make progress, especially with standing and walking.
When she first started at On With Life, Mackenzie required the use of a standing frame that fully supported her spine and allowed her to stand and stretch. It was six months before she was able to take that first step towards walking, acquiring a pair of KAFOs (knee, ankle, foot orthotics) that allowed her to walk with the assistance of a front-wheeled walker. It took awhile for her to gain confidence with the equipment, utilizing On With Life’s overhead gait track to do so, but was eventually able to stand up and walk at home with assistance nearby.
Now, Mackenzie is working in therapy to transition from the walker to forearm crutches, getting her another step closer towards her wedding-day goal. Between her progress and determination, it’s hard to believe doctors once said there was a slim chance Mackenzie would ever walk again.
“I’ve brought close friends and family with me to physical therapy or have asked them to help me with standing and walking at home, and seeing their faces light up when I get up and walk is such an awesome feeling,” said Mackenzie. “I can’t count how many times people have told me that they are proud of me or that I have inspired them, and it means just as much as the first time I heard it.”
While relearning to walk has been at the forefront of Mackenzie’s recovery journey, she had several other goals she aimed to meet through therapy, many of which she was able to accomplish early on. Since the accident Mackenzie has been able to return home, drive independently with the use of hand controls, and return to work as a registered nurse, now working for a cardiology office in a remote triage role. The progress she has made since her life-changing accident has been significant and impressive to all those who have worked with her.
“It has truly been a privilege to work with Mackenzie. She brings out the best in everyone around her and she pushes you to bring your ‘A game’ to every session,” says On With Life physical therapist, Logan Wallace. “I appreciate that because I have grown both as a clinician and as a person. Mackenzie is a fighter and has never once given up on her goals. I am so excited to be a small piece of her journey.”
It was Logan who asked Mackenzie what her goals were for her wedding as soon as Mackenzie got engaged. Once Mackenzie decided she wanted to be able to walk down the aisle without using her assistive equipment, Logan made sure she was constantly reminded of this goal, especially in times of struggle and frustration. This left an impact on Mackenzie, so much so that she asked Logan to be the one to walk her down the aisle on her big day.
“My fiancé and I could not think of a better way to honor Logan and acknowledge the huge role she has played in our lives during this journey,” said Mackenzie.
Between what was one of her hardest days and what will be one of her happiest has been a journey that while extremely challenging, has been rewarding for Mackenzie. She has defied odds and
inspired many, and the sight of her walking down the aisle is sure to be an emotional one. As she continues to move forward, she hopes she can share her story to both educate and bring awareness to spinal cord injuries.
On With Life has identified the need for additional post-acute spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation
options in Iowa and in response has formed an SCI program development committee. This committee, led by Spinal Cord Injury Coordinator Sam Williams, has and will continue to enhance offerings in both inpatient and outpatient settings with the goal of becoming an accredited spinal cord injury specialty program.
To learn more about On With Life’s spinal cord injury program, including its goal to offer and
enhance adaptive wellness programming options in Iowa, visit ONWITHLIFE.ORG/SCI.