Girl astounds doctors by shooting hoops with a basketball - while in a coma!
Filed under: Teen
Courtesy of the Meier family/Scott Bird
Here's an amazing story that just goes to show how extraordinary the human body is. Maggie Meier, a schoolgirl who fell into a coma in 2008, astonished doctors - by shooting basketballs through a hoop in her hospital room while still in a coma. Maggie is now fully recovered - and back on the basketball court.
Maggie was admitted to hospital after suffering a seizure and was found to have mycoplasma meningoencephalitis - a form of meningitis which causes swelling on the brain.
The teenager fell into a coma for almost three months during which time she was moved every two to three hours to prevent her limbs stiffening up.
Maggie before her illness. Courtesy of the Meier family
To remind her of who she was, the family placed a basketball in Maggie's hands when she was seated upright in a wheelchair, roped in to the chair for safety.
Courtesy of the Meier family
Amazingly, the young woman's reflexes kicked in and she started shooting hoops.
Dr William Graf, Meier's neurologist, told thedaily.com: "The act of shooting a basketball must have been ingrained as one of Maggie's basic instincts - her basketball shooting motion came back to her even before she was able to stand up or walk again."
During Maggie's time in hospital, she would shoot a few hoops, then fall back into a comatose state.
Since coming out of her coma, the high school student has had to relearn every facet of her daily life - how to walk, speak and read. And improve her game.
Courtesy of the Meier family
While she was in hospital, Maggie's fellow players on the school team, The Huskies, and coach David Glenn kept a chair by the court which said "reserved for Maggie Meier" on the back.
On Monday, she returned to the court after almost four years spent recovering.
Maggie back playing for the Huskies, four years after she went into a coma
She said: "When I'm out there, I don't think about it that much... But when I do think about it, it's pretty awesome."
- Don't spare the horses<p> Horse riding is great for improving posture, burning fat and keeping the body active. If you've never clambered aboard one of these amazing animals before, then one hour of riding will soon see you groaning at the aches and pains in new places. Horse riding can be tackled by anyone at any age except, of course, pregnant mums and newborn babes.</p>
- Try two wheels<p> Cycling is something that the entire family can enjoy and children love it. Teaching kids to cycle can be a tad challenging, fortunately <a href="http://www.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/leaflets/sustrans_cyclingwithchildren_March08.pdf" target="_blank">Sustrans </a>has a handy guide on how to introduce your kids to cycling and tips on keeping safe while on the roads.</p> <p> Then took a look at the <a href="http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network)" target="_blank">National Cycle Network </a> for scenic and traffic-free routes in your area.</p>
- Beat a drum<p> Learning how to play the drums is both satisfying and healthy. Drumming increases the heart rate, encourages you to use the whole body and helps with co-ordination and muscle control. It's also enormous fun. Choose between lessons or family drumming days and unleash your inner rock star.</p>
- Just roll with it<p> Rollerblades, rollerskates, skateboards and scooters are fun and a great way to get about if the idea of walking makes your kids hide under the sofa.</p> <p> You may think that a mum (or dad!) zooting along the pavement beside their kids looks a bit, well, daft but it is a growing craze with oodles of health benefits. The ever popular <a href="http://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/mums-fit.php" target="_blank">Micro Scooters</a> have just launched a Mum's Scooter Club with fitness ideas for women and kids.</p>
- Go walking<p> Walk to school, walk to the shops, walk to the park and just keep on going. Little ones can handle a fairly steady pace and, if it's quite a hike, take along some water and a healthy snack.</p> <p> The simple stride has oodles of <a href="http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/everyone/health.html" target="_blank">health benefits,</a> is easy to do, doesn't need special equipment and it's free.</p>
- Get gaming<p> A recent study by a professor of Exercise Science at BYU proved that <a href="http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/07/01/why-my-children-dont-need-wii-hab/" target="_blank">exergames</a> (exercise games) burn sufficient calories to form part of a valid exercise regime.</p> <p> This means that you can enjoy Wii Boxing without feeling guilty. Most fitness and dance games are available for all three consoles (Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3) and some of the best include <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Take-2-Nickelodeon-Fit-Wii/dp/B004KJECWO" target="_blank">Nickelodeon Fit,</a><a href="http://www.ubi.com/UK/Games/Info.aspx?pId=9410" target="_blank">Dance Juniors </a>, <a href="http://www.majescoentertainment.com/games/display_game.php?PLTFRM=kinect-for-xbox-360&GN=zumba-fitness" target="_blank">Zumba Fitness </a>, <a href="http://www.ubi.com/US/Games/Info.aspx?pId=9808" target="_blank">Just Dance 3</a> and <a href="http://www.konami.com/games/walk-it-out" target="_blank">Walk it Out</a>.</p>
- Try yoga<p> Yoga is a brilliant way to keep fit and supple and it is available in all sorts of flavours. You can start out healthy with <a href="http://www.nct.org.uk/courses/antenatal-courses/nct-yoga-pregnancy" target="_blank">pregnancy yoga</a>, follow up with baby yoga, upgrade to classes for kids aged two and up, and even use <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=yoga+for+kids&tbo=p&tbm=vid&source=vgc&hl=en&aq=f" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.</p> <p> You’ll find classes in your area through the NCT for pregnant mums and the well known <a href="http://www.yogabugs.com/home.aspx" target="_blank">Yoga Bugs </a> offer courses across the UK.</p>
- Create an obstacle course at home<p> Whip up an obstacle course <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00gmmv8)" target="_blank">Total Wipeout</a> style and prepare to be amazed at how much fun you all have.</p> <p> Suck in your gut, sweep your legs back and forth and convert yourself into the Crazy Sweeper while giggling offspring jump over your limbs.</p> <p> You'll get a whopping workout while they burn off energy. Turn yourself into the Sucker Punch, jump from one cushion to another, or clamber around the room without touching the floor.</p>
- Skip to my Lou<p> According to the <a href="http://www.brsa.org.uk/pages/skip-yourself-fit.htm" target="_blank">British Rope Skipping Foundation</a> a ten minute session of skipping has the same health benefits as a 45 minute run.</p> <p> The sun is shining, summer is here, so haul yourselves into the garden and get that rope turning. If you can't remember how to skip, your kids will only be too happy to help, and laughing at a parent is a great motivator.</p>
- Take a dip<p> Swimming falls into the category of vigorous exercise and is excellent for buoyant workouts that allow for all levels of fitness.</p> <p> Whether you hover in the shallow end playing with your water wary children or throw down some lengths, you will be moving muscles and burning fat. And thanks to lovely heated pools you don't have to plunge your shivering body into icy water in winter.</p>
