Stem Cell Series: Part 1

26-year old Jonathan Dieleman has an easy smile and a tireless work ethic. Raised on a cattle farm in Smithers, Jonathan was dirt biking last year when he hit a rock and broke his back. Jonathan was diagnosed a T-5 paraplegic - he couldn't move from the chest down.

3 months ago Jonathan travelled to China where his own stem cells were mixed with stem cells from a donated umbilical cord and injected in his body. Immediately after, Jonathan says he gained more core strength and stability.

Jonathan moved to Victoria to train at a special gym called Path SCI. Doctors in China were clear - recovery would only come with hard work. Jonathan exercises every day in the hopes that as the injected stem cells replaced the deadened ones - his brain to muscle communication is restored.

Last week for the first time since his spinal cord injury - Jonathan pedaled a stationary bike under his own steam. He still doesn't understand how this breakthrough was achieved.

In part 2 of this series we'll meet a Victoria man who is taking steps after having embryonic stem cell injections in India.

Follow Meribeth Burton on Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/ANewsMeribeth

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News & Politics

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• /A\ News Vancouver Island
• Victoria
• Stem Cells
• Paralyzed
• Recovery
• Jonathan Dieleman
• China
• Procedure
• Research
• Meribeth Burton