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Spc Wednesday, July 29,1998 Tl r ? J ' Alumnus survives era WHEELEK continued from page one sis and a world-renowned expert on spinal injuries. "He is presently quadriplegic," Dr. Green added in his statement. "Dr. Nathan Lebwohl, orthopedic surgery colleague, and I are planning to surgically stabilize (Wheeler's) spinal column on Thursday afternoon. This surgery will allow him to sit up and begin his rehabilitation program. "His mother, aunt and uncle flew in hum South Carolina to be with him. Randy is in good spirits and has volunteered to participate in the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis research programs during his stay at Jackson Memorial's rehabili i. " uatiuii ceiitei. Doctors say he has only a 3 percent chance of walking again, but the 23-year-old has already surprised his surgeons, family and friends with an incredible winning attitude. For Wheeler, the road to recovery will be long. "He is going to be in a wheelchair for the near future," Green said. There is no known way to heal the spinal cord, but new drugs and gene therapy have researchers fV?ot cnmo urVin enfflor cmrovo frmimo 1-a j vawwu uiuv ouiiiv t?iiv uuiiv/i obrgic tiauiiia tu the body's nerve center may walk again. Wheeler's life turned upside down Monday ; when he lost control of his 1997 Ford Explorer 2 South Carolina -n oma/] qILGaii naiiicu airuuutiu staff REPORTS 1 The University of South Carolina softball team \ placed two players, one first teamer and on second teamer, on the All-Southest Region team. Ju- i nior Kim Pietro was named first-team All-South- j east as an outfielder and freshmen Joyce McMillian ( was named to the second team as a utility play- \ er \ Piotrn a fwn-t.imP All-SFlfl Splpftinn ic on_ pearing on the first-team All-Southeast Region team for the second year in a row. Pietro, who end- t ed the 1998 season with a school-record 30-game t )RTS he Gamecock Page 7 Tr-T. p t \ p ish, unable to walk. near Palm City during a rainstorm. He suffered the injuries despite wearing a seat belt. His airbag didn't deploy because the accident wasn't a headon collision. The 315-pound Wheeler played college football at USC. He was on the Dolphins' practice squad last season. Wheeler was driving to the Dolphins' camp when the accident happened. After being just a practice player for Miami last season, he had a super season in NFL Europe. He started all 10 games for the Rhein Fire, which beat Frankfurt, Germany in World Bowl "98 last month. "I was sorry to learn of Randy's tragedy," Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson said Tuesday. "I know he will show the same spirit fighting through this as he displayed on the football field, and all of our prayers are with him." Thursday's surgery will allow him to sit up and beein rehabilitation at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at Jackson Memorial. Those wishing to send cards or flowers can send them to Jackson Memorial Hospital, 1611 N.W. 12th Ave., Miami, Fla., 33136-1094. soffcball nl avers JC 1/ ;ast region fitting streak that will continue into next year, ed the team hitting (.333), his (59), runs (59), doufies (16), triples (3) and home runs (7). McMillin has an impressive rookie campaign 'or the Lady Gamecocks as both a pitcher and -ight fielder. On the mound McMillian posted a )-9 record with 2.46 ERA, while striking out 57 n 111 innings pitching. At the plate, McMillin vas second on the team both hitting (.309) and ioubles (15) and led the team in walks. Carolina finished the 1998 season with a 3611 record (15-11 SEC) and will return nine startid and 11 letter winners to next year's squad. Jr x J / ( % 'I^L a 1,9 vfl XV "" - -* ^.*~ ^ Serving > lunch 8c dinnc mon. - sat., KJ EVER' AAA I A n \ 9?U LHII COLU Hi I , 1 I % J ' s v i \ / Nice 7t feV 0 % Si W II ^ LtefiE iiim mi 1 TUESDAY r STREET MBIA tltlAO