Spinal Cord Injury team helps Army Vet keep competing

Army Veteran Mark Maloney was 84 years old when a bicycle accident left him with a broken neck and paralysis from a C3 incomplete spinal cord injury. The fall ended decades of competitive running that included marathons and the challenging Pikes Peak Ascent race in Colorado Springs. Six years later, at age 90, Maloney competed in the Bolder Boulder race on May 25, thanks to years of rehabilitation and ongoing support from the Spinal Cord Injury department at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado.

The VA's Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders System of Care provides specialized treatment for veterans who have suffered spinal cord damage, whether from service-connected injuries, accidents, or medical conditions. These facilities offer both inpatient rehabilitation and long-term outpatient care, recognizing that spinal cord injuries require sustained, coordinated support from multiple specialists. The program focuses not just on immediate medical needs but on helping veterans regain function and return to meaningful activities that define their quality of life.

Maloney's injury classification as C3 incomplete meant the damage occurred high on his spinal cord, affecting his entire body including hand function, breathing, and leg movement. According to Liam Kiernan, a clinical specialist and physical therapist with VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, a complete injury at that level would require ventilator support and result in even greater impairment. During three months of inpatient care, Maloney had to pass tests to regain basic functions like swallowing food instead of relying on a feeding tube, and he has continued as an outpatient for nearly five years since his initial rehabilitation.

The recovery process involved a team approach with three or four different therapists rotating to work on various aspects of Maloney's rehabilitation. Physical therapists and occupational therapists collaborated over several years to address strength, balance, and functional skills. Kiernan, who has worked with Maloney for three or four years, emphasized that the team tries to identify activities veterans love and have interest in, using those goals to drive the rehabilitation process and keep veterans as physically active as possible.

Beyond his own recovery, Maloney has served as a peer mentor to other veterans in the SCI program, visiting those who have just arrived or are preparing to leave the facility. His willingness to share his experience provides newly injured veterans with hope and practical insights during a time when they may not know what questions to ask or have clarity about their future. Kiernan noted that conversations with Maloney have given other veterans dealing with similar injuries hope that life can continue meaningfully after such devastating trauma.

For disabled veterans, this story illustrates an important reality about VA specialized care programs: they exist not just to manage medical conditions but to help veterans return to the activities that give their lives purpose and joy. The SCI System of Care recognizes that rehabilitation goals should reflect individual veterans' values and interests, whether that means competitive athletics, community involvement, or other pursuits. The availability of long-term outpatient support means veterans can continue working toward functional improvements years after their initial injury.

Veterans who have experienced spinal cord injuries or disorders should explore the VA's specialized SCI System of Care facilities, which provide coordinated, expert treatment beyond what general medical centers typically offer. Those already enrolled in VA healthcare can ask their primary care provider about referrals to SCI specialists, while veterans not currently using VA services can contact their nearest VA medical center to discuss eligibility and enrollment options for this specialized program.