A man from Alabama has become the first person in the United States to receive a highly-debated embryonic stem cell transplant. Researchers are hoping the technology will be a game changer for those with debilitating spinal cord injuries.
TJ Atchinson hopes he's living the dream of Superman Christopher Reeve -- to become the first human to receive embryonic stem cell therapy.
Atchinson was paralyzed following a devastating car accident.
"I realized I couldn't feel from (the top) down," Atchinson said. "When I got to the hospital, they said I would never walk again."
Atchinson was still accepting the news when doctors told him he'd be a great candidate for the stem cell therapy. Though he was injured just a few days before getting the offer, his body was strong and his will was even stronger.
Atchinson agreed to be a laboratory of hope -- the first human with a spinal cord injury to test human embryonic stem cells.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/health&id=8167702
