Kalon Ludvigson is the eight-time U.S. tumbling champion (2006-2013).
Justen Millerbernd on Facebook:
… Kalon had an accident during training on August 6th during the evening session. He was transported to Geisinger Health Center, a trauma 1 unit, where he underwent surgery to stabilize his C5 vertebrae that had “jumped”. Dr. Jonathan Slotkin performed the surgery with several rods and screws to put the vertebrae back into place.
The surgery was successful as pre-surgery Kalon could only shrug his shoulders. Post surgery Kalon could move his upper extremities from the chest up, but did not have fine motor functions. Kalon could feel tingling and pressure in his feet and toes, but did not have control or movement in them.
A MRI was ordered and discovered that Kalon had a slight bulge in one of his discs and a hematoma in his spinal cord. Nothing can be done about the hematoma, but it was decided to have a second surgery to remove a slightly bulged disc that was minimally putting pressure on the spinal cord. The disc was removed, and several fragments were extracted from the area by Dr. Fred Hess. Post surgery Kalon had not lost any movement or feeling, yet had not gained any. Going into the surgery we knew there was no chance for immediate improvement, but wanted to give Kalon every opportunity available for future rehabilitation.
I am sure you are reading all of this and thinking, “What does this mean?” and at this point no one knows. But the basic translation is; Kalon has been injured and put back together. His spinal cord was NOT severed, only stretched and has suffered extensive swelling. The swelling can cause the spinal cord to “block” the feelings from the nerves. As the swelling subsides, Kalon could be able to move those parts again. He currently can feel pressure and tingling in his feet, which is a good sign.
As with any surgery there is a rehabilitation period, which Kalon is about to enter. So for those of you that have heard rumors, or started rumors please understand this; Kalon’s future is unclear and NO ONE but God can decide what that is. Right now Kalon needs your devotion and support, not rumors about what he can or can not do.
Kalon will be attending rehabilitation in Englewood, Colorado at the Craig Hospital. When is he being transferred? It is unclear as the medical flight needed to get him there is costly, around $30,000. Once there, the expenses will continue to escalate. I’m sure no one thought the totals could reach into the $100,000’s, but with a situation like this…. it is quite clear. Kalon can be released as early as tomorrow to go, but depending on the costs, we may have to wait for rehabilitation.
If you would like to help with these costs, we do have an online site that you can donate to: http://www.gofundme.com/3wh640 …
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