Movement, sensation returning for paralysed showjumper Kevin Babington
Paralysed showjumper Kevin Babington is making improvements in both movement and sensation following several new surgical procedures.
Babington, an Olympic veteran and team gold medalist from the 2001 European Championships, suffered the injury at the 2019 Hampton Classic. Kevin, then 51, fell from Shorapur during the Grand Prix qualifying round at the show in Bridgehampton, New York, and was paralysed from the chest down.
Two months after his injury, Babington was teaching from his wheelchair.
Following extensive surgical interventions including stem cell treatment, Babington is now experiencing feeling in his ankle, back, and toes. There has been movement and sensation where there was not before the procedures. He also spends many hours each week in gruelling physical therapy.
Babington also has a service dog, Samantha, provided through the Canine Support Team Foundation.
He, and other injured riders, have the support of the Kevin Babington Foundation, a licensed 501c3 charity helping showjumpers with spinal cord injuries.
The latest rider to benefit from the foundation is Kimberly Prince, who sustained a spinal cord injury at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show in early June, when her horse stumbled after a jump. The resulting spinal injuries include compression and misalignment of C3, C4, and C5, and a fracture to one of the vertebrae.
Prince has been undergoing therapy at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, and is experiencing increased mobility in her legs, arms, and hands. She will remain at the Shepherd Center through August when she plans to return home to Virginia for additional outpatient rehabilitation.
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