About Christopher Boshar
Christopher was born and raised in Massachusetts. He graduated from Chelmsford High in 2004, and in 2009 from UMass Amherst with a BS in Landscape Architecture.
He is surrounded by a large network of friends and a caring family. His father Vin, sister Rebecca, and step-mother Kelly live in Chelmsford, and his mother Kathy and step-father Steve live in North Andover. He is in a relationship with his committed girlfriend of four years, Sarah Paulson, who has and continues to be a strong support for Chris.
Chris has a deep love for family – always lending a hand or giving encouragement. He has a wide, diverse group of friends. One of his friends said, “Once you meet Chris, you know he’s going to be your best friend for life.” Another friend said, “If there is anyone who can beat this injury, it’s Chris. He is the most amazing, trustworthy, personable, loyal and best friend that a person can have!”
He was a technical underwriter at Boston Capital, Boston prior to his injury. This company and its employees have been an amazing support to Chris – both emotionally and financially.
He is very patriotic. From day one, he requested to have an American Flag hung properly in his hospital room, as a symbol of strength and courage, he later explained. Chris has a deep interest in history and the military. He is a ferocious reader – just finishing Unbroken (Laura Hillenbrand): A life story of Louis Zamperini a WWII POW. Louis’ photo was also among the first things he requested to have displayed in his hospital room as a symbol of patience, perseverance and overall mental toughness. He admires George Patton as an inspirational American leader. He has a love of those with experience – especially older people who have life stories to share. He loves new things, construction, real estate and investing, family, friends and healthy living. He is an outdoorsman and hiked the Presidential Traverse on June 18, 2011 – his 25th birthday.
About His Injury.
On July 2, 2011, Chris suffered a spinal cord injury at the C4/5 level. This injury occurred while enjoying a Saturday afternoon with family and friends at a lake in New Hampshire. The accident was just that, an accident – he slipped off the family boat and hit the sand. This injury changed his life and that of his family and friends in one split second.
The Journey.
Chris spent twenty-three days in the SICU (surgical intensive care unit) at Mass General. While there, he fought pneumonia, infection, surgery, pressure sore, and the emotional acceptance of paralysis. On July 25th, he was air transported to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta to participate in aggressive therapy. For the next 90 days, Chris developed pneumonia, infections and endured a pressure sore that resulted in flap surgery. Despite these odds, Chris continued to push himself to participate in physical and occupational therapy to help regain function. On November 8th, Chris was transported back to Massachusetts and spent 20 days at the Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital as a transition from an acute hospital to home. He is now living in an apartment with his girl-friend, adjacent to his Mother’s home.
The Goal.
Chris is focused on the ultimate goal of walking. He’s participating in every type of therapy. He is a client for physical therapy at Journey Forward – a gym that specialized in spinal cord injuries. He is working with a private trainer who specializes in spinal cord injury. He is participating in a therapeutic program at Boston Medical. He is also open to and participating in a variety of modalities including prayer, acupuncture and energy healing. In addition to out of the home therapy, Chris will be continuing therapy daily at his in-home gym with the following equipment.
FES (functional, electrical stimulation) arm and leg bike. This bike has proven to relax muscle spasms, prevent or retard disuse atrophy, increase local blood circulation and maintain or increase range of motion.
Glider/Standing Machine. This machine is meant to enable standing with a function – gliding. The machines provides upper and lower body strengthening. Standing will also strengthen the bones and improve spasticity, reduces pressure sores and a host of other medical benefits.
Matts. Matts will enable Chris’s personal care assistant to provide physical therapy such as stretching on the off hours of therapy in a gym with a professional.