Care that goes the distance: John’s journey to the Grand Blue Mile

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In May of 2019, John Nichols’ life changed in an instant. While taking an exit off the interstate, he crashed his motorcycle, fracturing five vertebrae in his neck and back. He also broke eight ribs and damaged his carotid artery. But the most severe injury was to his spinal cord which left him paralyzed from his ribs down.

Four years later though, John walked across the finish line of his first Grand Blue Mile, completing the race in one hour and 10 minutes with his MercyOne physical therapist by his side.

A lot can happen in a few short years. John credits his MercyOne care team for helping him reach this momentous milestone.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the team at MercyOne,” he says. They’ve done more than help me recover. They’re helping me rebuild my life.”

The journey to the Grand Blue Mile

Following the accident, John was transported to a nearby trauma center. He was conscious when the swelling from his injuries set in and the ability to move his legs vanished. He wondered if there was any hope of recovery and he began to ponder life as a paraplegic.

“At that moment, I had no idea of the journey ahead of me,” John said.

In the early days of his recovery, John traveled out of state to receive intensive rehabilitation. At first even the smallest progress felt monumental.

“It was a big day when I could wiggle a toe,” John said.

The move to MercyOne

Nine months into his rehabilitation, the world shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and John was forced to find care in-state. After bouncing around to a couple different clinics, he landed at MercyOne Des Moines Riverside Rehabilitation.

“Once at Riverside, I started working with a physical therapist the likes of which I’d never known.” John said.

John’s physical therapist was and still is Esmie Holderman. While working with Esmie and the team at MercyOne, was when John started to see real progress with his recovery.

A common belief with spinal cord injuries is that most recovery happens during the first six months after injury, and there is little hope for significant improvement after that; but John and his team of medical professionals disagree. For him, working with MercyOne was a turning point in his journey.

A coordinated approach to care

At MercyOne, John’s care extends beyond physical therapy. His recovery became a coordinated effort between Esmie, his physical therapist; Dr. Anthony Kopp, his physical medicine and rehabilitation physician; and fitness specialists — all working together toward the same goal. That collaboration makes an enormous difference for John. Each MercyOne provider works in concert with the others, creating a comprehensive plan that focuses not just on recovery, but long-term progress.

“I feel like I have an excellent team at MercyOne,” John said.

Finding strength at the MercyOne Health and Fitness Center

As John continued to improve, he was introduced to the MercyOne Health and Fitness Center through the MyFitRx program: a medically integrated fitness program designed to help patients safely continue their recovery.

For John, the environment at the fitness center made all the difference.

Unlike a traditional gym, the MercyOne Health and Fitness Center is hospital-based, with staff trained to support individuals recovering from injury or managing chronic conditions. Surrounded by others working through their own recovery journeys, John found both support and motivation.

“It’s perfect for me,” John said. “Everybody there is looking out for each other.”

With guidance from his care team, John continued to build strength, improve balance, and increase mobility.

1% better every day

Through his coordinated care and continued training, John progressed from a power wheelchair to a manual chair, to crutches and eventually to walking with other assistive devices. Today, more than seven years after his accident, he is even taking few steps on his own.

Along the way, new goals replaced old ones.

One of those goals was the Grand Blue Mile — a Drake Relays race in downtown Des Moines that celebrates everyone. What began in 2023 as a challenge from his physical therapist, Esmie, has become a tradition for John with new goals to work toward every year.

In his first year, he completed the mile in one hour and 10 minutes. In the years since, he has continued to improve his time. His latest race time was 39 minutes, proving that his progress continues seven years into recovery.

“I try to get 1% better every day,” John said.

While he is proud of the strides he’s taken so far, John says he feels fortunate to have any hope of recovery and to receive such life-changing care from his MercyOne team. He hopes his story can inspire others and says his journey now is about more than just himself.

“I’m walking for people who can’t,” he said.

With the support of his MercyOne care team, John continues to move forward one step at a time.