Todd Balf has an incomplete spinal cord injury. He states that he does not fit into any recognizable category of spinal cord injury. People are often confused as to why he has trouble completing certain tasks because his disability is not always visible, like those who use a wheelchair.
“I’m what’s known as an “incomplete,” meaning I have incomplete paralysis below the level of my spinal injury. I walk with a stock right-side cane and a discreet brace resembling a shin guard that slips into my shoe to help raise my limp left foot. When I run into people on my walking route for the first time they sometimes offer guesses as to what happened. A broken leg? A recently reconstructed hip? They’re thinking a temporary condition, not paralysis.”
Todd was diagnosed with a rare spinal cancer and sustained a spinal cord injury during the surgery to remove the cancer. However, after a long stay in rehab, Todd was able to regain some function in his legs. He returned to work as a writer reporting about athletes and adventurers. Todd has even climbed Grand Teton in Wyoming and trekked the Darien Jungle in Panama.
Todd recalls a time right after his surgery when he boarded his friends party boat. He says that he boarded and sat down on the boat just fine, but was not able to get back on his feet from sitting down. Todd admits that this experience was when his need for help at times became apparent.
“At some point in recovery my muscles edged from “not useful” to “useful,”” says Todd. He has since taught himself how to ride a pedal assist e-bike. He says by first glance, he looks just like an average guy on a bike.
Todd’s story proves that looks can be deceiving!