‘A nightmare': Teen paralyzed after dirt bike crash keeping the faith during recovery
'They were just riding around, and he, at one point, took the lead, and it was kind of close to where this ditch was,' Therese said. 'And the second boy, seeing that he was headed for the ditch did try to let him know that it was there was obscured by the grass, but he couldn't hear because of the dirt bike, and he had his helmet on and all of his gear on.'
Christian went into the ditch.
'It was about a maybe eight to 10 foot drainage ditch,' Therese said. 'And [my son's friend] went down and helped him and got his phone, and Christian was able to give him his password to get into his phone, and he called me and my husband, but we didn't answer the phone. So then he called 911, and he gave them like excellent directions. So they were able to get to Christian very quickly with in just a couple minutes.'
Christian was airlifted by first responders to SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. There, he underwent emergency surgery.
'He had broken his spine in the T7 and T8 area, and with a complete transection of his spinal cord,' Therese said. 'So, they did emergency surgery and stabilized him there, and he's just been like recuperating here.'
Therese told News 8 Wednesday when she was able to get ahold of her daughter and first responders, it was terrifying.
'It's just like your life is like panic, and you just fall apart in that moment, trying not to, trying to be strong,' she said. 'The only thing I could think of is I've got to get to my child as soon as possible, you know, because he needs me.'
The unimaginable challenges brought on to the Testorf family, all being received with hope — especially from Chrisitan.
'My son's attitude […] somebody asked him, 'How do you feel?' This is going to change your life.' And he said, 'I'm okay with it. I've accepted it. I know God's with me, so that's what gives me strength,' Therese said. 'And I think that's what could give other people strength in this situation, is knowing that people love you and support you, and most of all, that God is always with you, and He will never leave you or forsake you.'
The family has also received the community's support, after setting up a GiveSendGo, to help with medical expenses for the necessary steps to get Christian into rehabilitation.
'Having people around that are positive and that are helping is amazing,' Therese said. 'It just helps your your mental state, and helps you to be able to continue in this… it's like, basically a nightmare. I've thought about this stuff before this happened, and I was like, 'I don't even know how people do it.' And now that I'm in it, they do it with the help of God and with people surrounding them and supporting them.'
Christian was just weeks away from graduation from Finger Lakes Christian School. With the help of the staff, he will still be able to celebrate that achievement.
'The very first day that after his surgery, his principal came in and he said, 'We want to do a ceremony for him for his graduation. He's got everything he needs. All the ducks are in the row. The district's already approved our plan. […] That's going to be Friday.'
After that, Christian will be headed to Spaulding Rehabilitation in Boston. Therese said everything is moving quickly, but wanted to make sure her son received the best care possible.
'He's young and a strong person,' Therese said. 'They do believe that he's going to be able to live independently, and that it's going to be a good outcome for him. So that's what we're all praying for.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
15 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
An Ohio couple welcomes a baby boy from a nearly 31-year-old frozen embryo
A baby boy born last week to an Ohio couple developed from an embryo that had been frozen for more than 30 years in what is believed to be the longest storage time before a birth. In what's known as embryo adoption , Lindsey and Tim Pierce used a handful of donated embryos that have been frozen since 1994 in pursuit of having a child after fighting infertility for years. Their son was born Saturday from an embryo that had been in storage for 11,148 days, which the Pierces' doctor says sets a record. It's a concept that has been around since the 1990s but is gaining traction as some fertility clinics and advocates, often Christian-centered, oppose discarding leftover embryos because of their belief that life begins at or around conception and that all embryos deserve to be treated like children who need a home. 'I felt all along that these three little hopes, these little embryos, deserved to live just like my daughter did,' said Linda Archerd, 62, who donated her embryos to the Pierces. Just about 2% of births in the U.S. are the result of in vitro fertilization , and an even smaller fraction involve donated embryos. However, medical experts estimate about 1.5 million frozen embryos are currently being stored throughout the country, with many of those in limbo as parents wrestle with what to do with their leftover embryos created in IVF labs. Further complicating the topic is a 2024 Alabama Supreme Court decision that said that frozen embryos have the legal status of children. State leaders have since devised a temporary solution shielding clinics from liability stemming from that ruling, though questions linger about remaining embryos. Archerd says she turned to IVF in 1994. Back then, the ability to freeze, thaw and transfer embryos was making key progress and opening the door for hopeful parents to create more embryos and increase their chances of a successful transfer. She wound up with four embryos and initially hoped to use them all. But after the birth of her daughter, Archerd and her husband divorced, disrupting her timeline for having more children. As the years turned into decades, Archerd said she was wracked with guilt about what to do with the embryos as storage fees continued to rise. Eventually, she found Snowflakes, a division of Nightlight Christian Adoptions, which offers open adoptions to donors from people like Archerd. She was also able to set preferences for what families would adopt her embryos. 'I wanted to be a part of this baby's life,' she said. 'And I wanted to know the adopting parents.' The process was tricky, requiring Archerd to contact her initial fertility doctor in Oregon and dig through paper records to get the proper documentation for the donation. The embryos then had to be shipped from Oregon to the Pierces' doctor in Tennessee. The clinic, Rejoice Fertility in Knoxville, refuses to discard frozen embryos and has become known for handling embryos stored in outdated and older containers. Of the three donated embryos the Pierces received from Archerd, one didn't make the thaw. Two were transferred to Lindsey Pierce's womb, but just one successfully implanted. According to Dr. John David Gordon, the transfer of the nearly 31-year-old embryo marks the longest-frozen embryo to result in a live birth. He would know: Gordon says his clinic assisted in the previous record, when Lydia and Timothy Ridgeway were born from embryos frozen for 30 years, or 10,905 days. 'I think that these stories catch the imagination,' Gordon said. 'But I think they also provide a little bit of a cautionary tale to say: Why are these embryos sitting in storage? You know, why do we have this problem?' In a statement, Lindsey and Tim Pierce said the clinic's support was just what they needed. 'We didn't go into this thinking about records — we just wanted to have a baby,' Lindsey Pierce said. For Archerd, the donation process has been an emotional roller coaster. Relief that her embryos finally found a home, sadness it couldn't be with her and a little anxiety about what the future holds next, with possibly meeting the Pierces and the baby in person. 'I'm hoping that they're going to send pictures,' she said, noting that the parents have already sent several after the birth. 'I'd love to meet them some day. That would be a dream come true to meet — meet them and the baby.' ___ This story has corrected the first name of Lindsey Pierce in the second paragraph.
21 hours ago
Couple welcomes a baby boy from a nearly 31-year-old frozen embryo
A baby boy born last week to an Ohio couple developed from an embryo that had been frozen for more than 30 years in what is believed to be a record length of storage time before a birth. In what's known as embryo adoption, Linda and Tim Pierce used a handful of embryos donated in 1994 in their pursuit of having a child after fighting infertility for years. Their son was born Saturday from an embryo that had been in storage for 11,148 days, which the Pierces' doctor says sets a record. It's a concept that has been around since the 1990s but is gaining attraction as some fertility clinics and advocates, often Christian-centered, oppose discarding leftover embryos because of their belief that life begins at or around conception and that all embryos deserve to be treated like children who need a home. 'I felt all along that these three little hopes, these little embryos, deserved to live just like my daughter did,' said Linda Archerd, 62, who donated her embryos to the Pierces. Just about 2% of births in the U.S. are the result of in vitro fertilization, and an even smaller fraction involve donated embryos. However, medical experts estimate about 1.5 million frozen embryos are currently being stored throughout the country, with many of those in limbo as parents wrestle with what to do with their leftover embryos created in IVF labs. Further complicating the topic is a 2024 Alabama Supreme Court decision that said that frozen embryos have the legal status of children. State leaders have since devised a temporary solution shielding clinics from liability stemming from that ruling, though questions linger about remaining embryos. Archerd says she turned to IVF in 1994. Back then, the ability to freeze, thaw and transfer embryos was making key progress and opening the door for hopeful parents to create more embryos and increase their chances of a successful transfer. She wound up with four embryos and initially hoped to use them all. But after the birth of her daughter, Archerd and her husband divorced, disrupting her timeline for having more children. As the years turned into decades, Archerd said she was wracked with guilt about what to do with the embryos as storage fees continued to rise. Eventually, she found Snowflakes, a division of Nightlight Christian Adoptions, which offers open adoptions to donors that allows people like Archerd. She was also able to set preferences for what families would adopt her embryos. 'I wanted to be a part of this baby's life,' she said. 'And I wanted to know the adopting parents.' The process was tricky, requiring Archerd to contact her initial fertility doctor in Oregon and dig through paper records to get the proper documentation for the donation. The embryos then had to be shipped from Oregon to the Pierces' doctor in Tennessee. The clinic, Rejoice Fertility in Knoxville, refuses to discard frozen embryos and has become known for handling embryos stored in outdated and older containers. Of the three donated embryos the Pierces received from Archerd, one didn't make the thaw. Two were transferred to Lindsey Pierce's womb, but just one successfully implanted. According to Dr. John David Gordon, the transfer of the nearly 31-year-old embryo marks the longest-frozen embryo to result in a live birth. He would know, Gordon says his clinic assisted in the previous record, when Lydia and Timothy Ridgeway were born from embryos frozen for 30 years, or 10,905 days. 'I think that these stories catch the imagination,' Gordon said. 'But I think they also provide a little bit of a cautionary tale to say: Why are these embryos sitting in storage? You know, why do we have this problem?' In a statement, Lindsey and Tim Pierce said the clinic's support was just what they needed. 'We didn't go into this thinking about records — we just wanted to have a baby,' Lindsey Pierce said. For Archerd, the donation process has been an emotional roller coaster. Relief that her embryos finally found a home, sadness it couldn't be with her and a little anxiety about what the future holds next, with possibly meeting the Pierces and the baby in person. 'I'm hoping that they're going to send pictures,' she said, noting that the parents have already sent several after the birth. 'I'd love to meet them some day. That would be a dream come true to meet — meet them and the baby.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Doctors Say These 9 Habits Can Actually Make You Smarter and More Creative
Key Takeaways Quality sleep and daily physical activity form the foundation of your brain health. Trying new hobbies or even letting your mind wander helps your brain stay flexible and build stronger connections. Small daily habits, like staying social or listening to music, can sharpen your smarter isn't always about acing trivia night or speaking more than one language—it's about building the kind of brain health that helps you think faster, remember more, and solve problems with ease. Fortunately, the brain is equipped to adapt and grow stronger through lifelong learning and intentional routines. Small changes, like the ways you move, sleep, and lounge, can rewire neural pathways to improve cognition over time. Ahead, we asked doctors to share the most impactful habits that are proven to enhance brain function. Weave these practices into your daily life for sharper focus and long-term mental health. Related: 8 Habits That Are Quietly Sabotaging Your Brain Health Keep a Consistent Sleep Schedule Sharon Brangman, MD, is a geriatrician, a trustee on the board of the McKnight Brain Research Foundation, and a director of the Center of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease at SUNY Upstate Medical University, so she knows a thing or two about keeping your brain in tip-top shape across decades. Numerous studies back her most obvious suggestion for feeling smarter: Stick to a consistent sleep schedule. 'When we sleep, our brains continue to work by consolidating our memories and improving our ability to focus and problem-solve,' says Brangman. 'Not getting enough sleep may result in problems with usual brain functioning, yet, according to the NIH, a third of American adults report regularly getting less than the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep.'Tip For sharper thinking (and better sleep), Brangman says to put your phone away at least one hour before you go to bed, since blue light has been correlated with poor sleep quality and Daily Once you're sleeping well, the next habit on the priority list should be to get your body moving more. 'Whether in the morning, during a lunch break, or after a long day at work, exercise can stimulate the brain's ability to maintain old network connections and make new ones that are necessary to cognitive health,' says Brangman. She brought up one study specifically that found that cognitive decline is much more likely in adults who are inactive than those who regularly exercise. As for how much and how often, Brangman says to aim for at least thirty minutes of light to moderate exercise per day. Related: This Is Exactly How Much Exercise You Need Per Week—and Why It's So Important Try New Hobbies The brain thrives on a reasonable amount of novelty. While it may take a bit to get the hang of a new hobby, Brangman says trying out novel tasks like reading, knitting, gardening, or painting can challenge the mind in a good way. 'Learning a new skill stimulates the brain, encouraging the formation of neural pathways that help our ability to multitask, manage stress, and improve mood,' she says. One study from the Journal of Aging and Health found that regularly engaging in challenging, new activities improved memory function in adults. This continuous engagement can help you feel smarter and keep your brain sharp across all life domains as you age. 'As an added benefit, social hobbies also help combat loneliness and foster meaningful connections—an important aspect of brain health,' Brangman says. Stay Socially Engaged Maintaining social connections has been consistently linked to stronger brain function. 'Consistent connection with others—whether through calls, visits, group activities, or volunteering—helps stimulate thinking and supports emotional wellbeing, both of which are important for cognitive health,' says Joel Salinas, MD, MBA, MSc, FAAN, chief medical officer of Isaac Health. He explains that he sees a clear link between social isolation, loneliness, and how well the brain functions in his practice. According to Salinas, even small, consistent efforts to connect with others can add up. 'Everyday actions, supported by community and consistency, may make a meaningful difference over time,' he says. From casual check-ins with friends to joining a local club or volunteering, there are several ways to maintain strong social ties to keep the mind engaged and emotionally balanced. Daydream If you tend to daydream, you may have been told to get your head out of the clouds, but research suggests this isn't always a bad thing. One study in The Journal of Neuroscience found that mind wandering—which can consume nearly half of our waking hours—can actually help the brain think more clearly. In a visual task, participants who let their thoughts drift were better at unconsciously noticing hidden patterns. In this context, mind wandering didn't disrupt thinking and actually supported learning. That said, experts caution that intentional mental engagement is key for long-term cognitive health. 'Mentally engaging activities that are challenging, new, and have meaning or purpose—such as mentoring, learning to support a cause, or organizing a family event—may be more protective than passive forms of stimulation like puzzles alone,' says Salinas. Talk to Yourself When asked which habit can actually make you smarter, Ryan Sultan, MD—a psychiatrist, professor, and medical director of Integrative Psychiatry—had a refreshingly simple response: Talk to yourself. It's exactly the kind of insight you'd expect from a psychiatrist who studies how thought patterns shape intelligence. 'Talking to oneself is surprisingly beneficial,' Sultan says. 'Speaking to yourself out loud and verbalizing your thoughts improves cognitive control and search performance.' He pointed to a study published in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, which showed that participants who verbalized a lost object like keys, by saying 'keys, keys, keys,' found the objects quicker than those who did not vocalize. Quirky as it sounds, this small habit can help you think more clearly and solve problems faster. Be Bored Sometimes 'Surprisingly, 'being bored,' or doing nothing, is beneficial for the brain,' says Sultan. 'It activates default mode thinking and engages regions of the brain known as the default mode network (DMN), a region important for promoting creativity and connecting ideas.' One study published in the Creativity Research Journal found that people engaged in a boring task produced more creative ideas compared to participants in a control group not exposed to a boring condition. However, Sultan told us that more recent research suggests that being bored itself does not contribute to creativity. It's 'how a person responds to boredom and whether or not it motivates them to be more creative is what really matters,' he says. Spend Time in Nature Sultan also says that a green environment (one filled with more trees and nature) is fuel for the brain. He pointed to a Belgian study that found that a 3% increase in neighborhood greenness was associated with a 2.6 IQ point increase on average. While the research highlights a strong link between greenery and cognitive performance, it does not prove that spending more time in nature directly causes higher IQ. Instead, the researchers think the effect may stem from multiple factors, including reduced stress and increased opportunities for physical activity—all of which support brain health and development. Listen to Music Even everyday background music—especially if it's familiar—can subtly boost mental performance. A study in Scientific Reports found that playing a participant's preferred background music during a vigilance task significantly increased task focus and reaction times. But some music is designed to increase that effect. 'Your brain naturally has rhythmic activity (i.e., 'brainwaves'), which can be enhanced with sounds engineered to match those rhythms,' says Kevin Woods, PhD, director of science at 'Our research found that music with rapid modulations can synchronize brainwave activity in ways that regular background music simply can't. Just a few minutes of listening can boost focus-related brain activity by up to 119%.' This specialized music briefly optimizes brain networks for attention and memory, helping you perform tasks more effectively. Read the original article on Real Simple
