Young Father Paralyzed In Diving Accident Shares His Story
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- For the first time we are hearing from a young father who became paralyzed after a diving accident last summer.
It happened on Lake Minnetonka when 28-year-old Kirk Ingram dove into shallow water and crushed his spine.
"That moment, I dove in. I was not able to turn my head up whatsoever, and I vividly can remember that," he said.
Kirk is now paralyzed from the chest down. He's been hospitalized for the last nine months and just went home last Friday.
"Gravity is not my friend at this time," he said. His arm is currently in a sling to help him move the joystick that controls his wheelchair.
Last August, Kirk and his wife Melissa had just become parents. Their daughter was 2 weeks old. Now, Alexa is 9 months old, and Kirk is unable to hold her.
"I can talk to her and my wife has been great about putting her up on my lap," he said. "But being able to touch her -- she'll grab my arm, which is always nice."
Three days a week, Kirk is at the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley, working to get back to work. He was an IT projects manager at Target. He says the company is holding a position open for him, but he has to learn how to operate a computer using dictation software.
"Just give short commands that allow me to get around the computer as well as type, by using my mouth, not the computer," he said.
Several types of therapy are helping Kirk get stronger... including spending time in the pool, where he can float and even make minor movements.Liz Scherer is one of Alex's neurotherapists.
"So if he has just a tiny muscle contraction in the water, he can get a big movement out of it, which is great because then he can get a full range of motion and really build up that strength," she said.
Kirk remains optimistic, but it's clear he worries about being a good father.
"It's always going to be a new encounter, and obviously this one is going to be a little bit different, with me in my chair," he said. "I can't stop her from going places."
Theresa Ingram is Kirk's mother.
"It's hard, it's exciting, I'm so blessed he is still here, but I have to keep reminding myself that because it is hard to see that he can't hold her," she said.
As you can imagine, the family is dealing with some huge medical expenses. It's one of the reasons, Kirk is so determined to return to work. He does have insurance coverage right now through his wife, but it doesn't cover the full cost of his therapy sessions and the medical equipment he needs.
You can follow Kirk and his family's journey on Facebook or Caring Bridge. You can help by donating to the family's trust here:
Lake Elmo Bank
To: LEB Trustee of the Ingram Trust
600 Inwood Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128
Also, the Pay It Forward Golf Classic will work to raise funds.