A profile in courage

Henderson man is recovering after accident left him paralyzed

PHOTOS SPECIAL TO VIEWClockwise from top left, Megan Powell paints Scott Frost?s toenails. Frost, who was temporarily paralyzed after a bike accident on May 10, said the polish helped him see his toenails as he worked to retrain his brain to focus on his extremities. Frost stands with the help of staff at the Desert Canyon Rehabilitation Hospital. Frost lies in bed as he gets a shave while in the intensive care unit at University Medical Center. PHOTOS SPECIAL TO VIEWClockwise from top left, Megan Powell paints Scott Frost?s toenails. Frost, who was temporarily paralyzed after a bike accident on May 10, said the polish helped him see his toenails as he worked to retrain his brain to focus on his extremities. Frost stands with the help of staff at the Desert Canyon Rehabilitation Hospital. Frost lies in bed as he gets a shave while in the intensive care unit at University Medical Center. SPECIAL TO VIEWScott Frost is shown in his hospital room earlier this summer. Since the May 10 accident that left him paralyzed, Frost has resumed some normal activities, such as running his business. SPECIAL TO VIEWScott Frost is shown with his children, Taylor, left, and Christian. Frost credits his friends, family and faith for giving him support during his recovery. Advertisement

Scott Frost had a busy, active life full of flying, driving, business meetings, dinners with friends, attending concerts and being a father to two teenagers. But on May 10, it all stopped.

While driving an off-road dirt bike with a friend near the Henderson Executive Airport, Frost dropped off into a concrete flood drainage culvert. Although he was wearing a helmet, he landed on his head and neck, and the bike landed on his back. He damaged his spinal cord and was left temporarily paralyzed from the neck down.

Frost spent nine days at the University Medical Center Trauma center, where he was treated for a central core contusion of the cervical spine, torn anterior cervical ligaments, a herniated disc, a broken nose and dislocated left shoulder.

From May 20 until July 27, the 43-year-old worked on his recovery at the Desert Canyon Rehabilitation Hospital. Doctors told Frost his progress was nothing short of phenomenal, but also acknowledged that it will be months, if not more than a year, before he regains most or all of his original abilities.

How do you feel?

The hardest part about being paralyzed besides the obvious physical ailments are the underlying mental stress caused by the frustration and continuous discomfort caused by the paralysis. Keeping myself busy, surrounding myself with people who care about me and praying a lot help me overcome the challenges.

After your accident, you waited 50 minutes for help to come. What were you thinking during that time?

My first reaction was anger. I was so mad at myself for doing something so stupid. I knew immediately that I was seriously injured and was paralyzed from the neck down. My anger quickly turned to fear as I realized my diaphragm was beginning to freeze and it became increasingly difficult to breathe. Fear then became sadness as I resigned myself to the notion that I was going to die as help was not on the way. After the phone call with my kids, I prayed and closed my eyes, and a sense of peace came over me. The next thing I remember is waking up to the sound of the helicopter.

You were very active before the accident. What is your life like now?

I am dedicated to my rehabilitation as I am determined to regain as much function as God will allow. It's the simplest things that become the most frustrating things when you are paralyzed. Reaching for a glass to take a drink, changing the channel on the TV, getting up to get a snack from the kitchen, etc. ... You become 100 percent reliant on those around you for the basics. Thankfully, I am surrounded by family and friends who are willing to take care of me. Ironically, my job required me mainly to communicate and lead, which are two things I am still very capable of doing even in a paralyzed state.

Your Web site shows a lot of photos of you in the hospital with your toenails painted crazy colors. What's that about?

Early on in the spinal rehabilitation, you have to retrain the brain to locate your extremities. Because of my surgery and neck brace, I could barely see the tips of my toes from my peripheral vision, so to make them easier to spot, my girlfriend painted them. Soon people started recommending colors on Facebook, and it kinda became a joke, so we continued painting them while I was in the hospital.

What was it like to stand again after months in a bed?

The first time I stood up, even though it was with a lot of help, I broke down in tears because I realized that walking again was a realistic possibility. Each day, slowly, my spine is healing and I get a little stronger.

What was it like to go home after leaving rehab?

After 70 days in the Desert Canyon Rehabilitation Hospital, I was not aware of how badly I needed a change of scenery. When I got home, it felt so good to see the things that I thought I would never see again and be in the comfort of my home. The funny thing was that I missed the staff and the social interaction that I had with each of them because when you spend that long a period of time with people, you form relationships that transcend that of caregiver and patient. I still stay in touch with those people as I am so thankful for everything they have done for me.

How are you different from before your accident?

I have become acutely aware of what my priorities are during the day. An accident like this gives you a perspective that is very unique. I don't sweat the small things anymore, and I focus on the big things like what my attitude is, my relationships, being grateful and looking to impact other people's lives positively, as well as continue to do good work in my profession.

What types of things do you do to pass the time now?

I have recently gained the ability to navigate the Internet using a touch pad so I can now read e-mails and stay up on current events. My company is very busy with two major projects, and my kids are still enjoying their summer vacation, so between the kids, rehabilitation and work, I have plenty to keep me busy.

Is there anything you miss doing that you can't do now? Do you think you'll be able to do it again?

I really miss driving. I miss playing the drums. I miss going for my morning walks in the desert. I am confident that with continued hard work and God's blessing that I will be able to do all three again.

You're opening a cantina?

Titan has licenses for several concepts, including the Giggling Marlin from Cabo San Lucas and Hussong's Cantina from Ensenada. We are scheduled to open Hussong's Cantina, which was originally established in Baja, Mexico, in 1892, in December at Mandalay Place. It will be an approachable, fun, relaxed bar and restaurant where people can enjoy the most authentic Mexican food and drink from the home of the original margarita. Very few people know that Hussong's is where the famous drink originated, and its lore will be a centerpiece of the establishment.

And you're also starting a nonprofit? How do you hope the organization will help others?

The Spinal Injury Recovery Foundation will provide information and resources to families of spinal injury victims who are still in the intensive care unit and need help making informed decisions about the crucial rehabilitation and management of the patient's care in the next 90 to 180 days following their leaving the intensive care unit.

How do you stay so positive through everything?

I've always been a positive person by nature. In addition to having a family to support and great family, friends and business partners, I saw this injury as an opportunity to rediscover myself and what really matters in life, including my relationship with my kids and my God. I also realized as I saw patients come and go from Desert Canyon, that there are many people in my situation who don't have the resources and support that I enjoy. So I have dedicated myself to helping those who might not have such a positive outlook. Hope is the most important thing to a spinal injury victim. Taking it away is the beginning of the end for them.

Contact Henderson View reporter Lauren Romano at lromano@viewnews.com or 477-3839.