The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, July 29, 1998, Page Page 7, Image 7
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Wednesday, July 29,1998 Tl
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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