It seemed to happen in the blink of an eye.

“I was perfect,” said Cristina. “The next second I was in the hospital.” Without any previous injury or pain, her legs went numb. She couldn’t walk without assistance.

At Memorial Hospital Miramar, she received an MRI and a CAT scan. The diagnosis was serious. Cristina had inflammation in her spinal cord.

“She was transferred to me with the diagnosis of idiopathic transverse myelitis,” said Joanne Delgado-Lebron, MD, spinal cord injury specialist, Memorial Rehabilitation Institute.

The condition can cause pain, muscle weakness, paralysis, sensory problems, or bladder and bowel dysfunction.

The cause of the inflammation was unknown, but the treatment was clear: intensive physical and occupational therapy five or six days a week.

She also received care from Memorial Rehabilitation Institute’s psychology department to help cope with the emotional adjustments her physical condition created.

After discharge, she had follow-up treatment through Memorial’s Resolution Program.

Her condition has improved greatly. “I walk with my husband two and a half miles daily,” said Cristina.

“I’m doing my life as normal as it can be.”