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Stem cells and T. J. Atchison

The first person to be treated using human embryonic stem cells says the therapy, often condemned on religious grounds, is part of God’s will.

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April 12, 2011

Timothy J. Atchison, known to friends and family as T.J., wheels up a ramp outside his home in Chatom, Ala. Atchison, 21, who was paralyzed in a car crash in 2010, has identified himself as the volunteer who was treated by researchers with human embryonic stem cells.

David Bundy / For The Washington Post

Atchison gets a push from half-sister Alyssa McDonald, 5, outside his home in Chatom, Ala. Six months after the treatment, he says he may be feeling the first signs that the cells are helping him.

April 12, 2011

Atchison gets a push from half-sister Alyssa McDonald, 5, outside his home in Chatom, Ala. Six months after the treatment, he says he may be feeling the first signs that the cells are helping him.

David Bundy / For The Washington Post

Atchison gets help from mother Anita McDonald as he tries to get on an ATV at home in Chatom, Ala. He has recently started to ride the ATV.

April 12, 2011

Atchison gets help from mother Anita McDonald as he tries to get on an ATV at home in Chatom, Ala. He has recently started to ride the ATV.

David Bundy / For The Washington Post

Atchison gets help from mom Anita McDonald as he dismounts an ATV. He views his pioneering of the treatment as part of God's plan. “It wasn’t just luck, or chance,” Atchison says. “It was meant to be.”

April 12, 2011

Atchison gets help from mom Anita McDonald as he dismounts an ATV. He views his pioneering of the treatment as part of God's plan. “It wasn’t just luck, or chance,” Atchison says. “It was meant to be.”

David Bundy / For The Washington Post

Atchison sits with his Yorkshire terrier, Lily, outside his home in Chatom, Ala. The cells implanted into his spine were obtained from embryos being discarded at fertility clinics, he notes. “It’s not life. It’s not like they’re coming from an aborted fetus or anything like that. They were going to be thrown away,” he said. “Once they explained to me where the stem cells were coming from, once I learned that, I was okay with it.”

April 12, 2011

Atchison sits with his Yorkshire terrier, Lily, outside his home in Chatom, Ala. The cells implanted into his spine were obtained from embryos being discarded at fertility clinics, he notes. “It’s not life. It’s not like they’re coming from an aborted fetus or anything like that. They were going to be thrown away,” he said. “Once they explained to me where the stem cells were coming from, once I learned that, I was okay with it.”

David Bundy / For The Washington Post

Atchison dismantles his wheelchair as he gets into a customized car. After the procedure, which involved infusing about 2 million cells into the damaged part of his spinal cord, Atchison spent three months learning how to bathe, cook and care for himself.

April 12, 2011

Atchison dismantles his wheelchair as he gets into a customized car. After the procedure, which involved infusing about 2 million cells into the damaged part of his spinal cord, Atchison spent three months learning how to bathe, cook and care for himself.

David Bundy / For The Washington Post

Atchison slides into his customized car, which uses hand controls since his legs are paralyzed. Atchison says he has regained some very slight sensation below his chest: He can feel relief when he lifts a bowling ball off his lap and discern discomfort when he pulls on hairs on some parts of his legs. He is hopeful that the therapy will eventually help him regain movement. Spinal cord injury experts stress that patients can regain some sensation and movement on their own and that it is impossible to know whether the cells are helping based on a single subject.

April 12, 2011

Atchison slides into his customized car, which uses hand controls since his legs are paralyzed. Atchison says he has regained some very slight sensation below his chest: He can feel relief when he lifts a bowling ball off his lap and discern discomfort when he pulls on hairs on some parts of his legs. He is hopeful that the therapy will eventually help him regain movement. Spinal cord injury experts stress that patients can regain some sensation and movement on their own and that it is impossible to know whether the cells are helping based on a single subject.

David Bundy / For The Washington Post

Atchison gets a hug from mother Anita McDonald at in his apartment in Chatom, Ala. For months, he had to keep secret his involvement in the study, which has prompted denunciations from critics who oppose the research on moral grounds as well as an intense debate among scientists, bioethicists and others who support the research.

April 12, 2011

Atchison gets a hug from mother Anita McDonald at in his apartment in Chatom, Ala. For months, he had to keep secret his involvement in the study, which has prompted denunciations from critics who oppose the research on moral grounds as well as an intense debate among scientists, bioethicists and others who support the research.

David Bundy / For The Washington Post

Atchison sits at his computer in his apartment in Chatom, Ala. “There’s been a few tough moments, waking up and wishing I could walk. But it passes,” he says.

April 12, 2011

Atchison sits at his computer in his apartment in Chatom, Ala. “There’s been a few tough moments, waking up and wishing I could walk. But it passes,” he says.

David Bundy / For The Washington Post

Atchison uses a physical therapy machine to help him stand at home in Chatom, Ala. “I pray about it every night. I think I’ll be able to walk again. I think it will help me. I’ll keep riding my bike and exercising and one day I’ll be able to walk again,” he says. “You want to let the stem cells see what they can do.”

April 12, 2011

Atchison uses a physical therapy machine to help him stand at home in Chatom, Ala. “I pray about it every night. I think I’ll be able to walk again. I think it will help me. I’ll keep riding my bike and exercising and one day I’ll be able to walk again,” he says. “You want to let the stem cells see what they can do.”

David Bundy / For The Washington Post

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