After undergoing experimental stem cell transfusions for their damaged spines, sisters Shannon, 21, and Erica, 18, have returned from China.
The two sisters now use wheelchairs after both being paralyzed in a 2004 car accident. With the hope of experiencing some relief from the pain they feel on a daily basis, they traveled to China for a month long duration of treatments that were not available in their home country of Canada.
They are hopeful that that treatment will have an effect, but they say it is still too early to tell. But there are signs that the stem cells have begun their work.
“I have noticed differences in my circulation and like, my legs and my feet are a lot warmer now, so that’s a positive thing,” Erica said, noting that her sister has noticed the same result.
“Hopefully, with work with our physiotherapist and stuff we’ll start seeing some more improvements.”
Their treatment involved the injection of millions of stem cells at the Shenzhen Nanshan People’s Hospital. Herbal intravenous sessions and acupuncture were also a part of the treatment.
“I was really nervous at first but they were really simple,” Erica said of the treatments.