The mother of a hockey player paralyzed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash says sheB次元官网网址檚 stunned by the progress he has made since receiving spinal surgery in Thailand.

Doctors implanted an epidural stimulator in Ryan StraschnitzkiB次元官网网址檚 spine earlier this month and a week later injected stem cells above and below the injury in the hope that will help reverse some of the damage.

The 20-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., is to remain in Thailand until early December.

B次元官网网址淗ands down IB次元官网网址檓 200 per cent behind this. I didnB次元官网网址檛 expect this kind of result this quickly,B次元官网网址� Michelle Straschnitzki said in an interview. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely not a quick fix. ItB次元官网网址檚 not a cure, but itB次元官网网址檚 certainly progress and itB次元官网网址檚 more than weB次元官网网址檝e had in 19 months.B次元官网网址�

Tom Straschnitzki, who is also in Thailand, has posted a number of videos of his sonB次元官网网址檚 rehab, including one where the young man was able to move a leg. Another video shows him strapped into a harness as physiotherapists slowly help him walk with the use of a machine on wheels.

B次元官网网址淏out time he got off his ass. 1st time since he boarded the bus that horrendous day,B次元官网网址� Straschnitzki tweeted.

B次元官网网址淭herapist helping with knees and ankles so they donB次元官网网址檛 buckle. Ryan did so good, I sent him to the beer store for me.B次元官网网址�

Bout time he got off his ass. 1st time since he boarded the bus that horrendous day. 2nd day of doing this. Therapist helping with knees and ankles so they dont buckle. Ryan did so good, I sent him to the beerstore for me. Im thinking he didnt go as Im still waiting.

B次元官网网址� Strazsr (@strazsr)

Straschnitzki was one of 13 players who were injured when an inexperienced truck driver blew through a stop sign and into the path of the Saskatchewan junior hockey teamB次元官网网址檚 bus in April 2018. Sixteen others on the bus died.

Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed from the chest down, has said he isnB次元官网网址檛 expecting a cure but hopes the implant will restore some muscle movement and things such as bladder control.

A small device like a remote control is to send electrical currents to his spinal cord to try to stimulate nerves and move limbs. The implant is being programmed to stimulate certain nerves mapped out by surgeons and therapists.

The surgery can cost up to $100,000 and isnB次元官网网址檛 covered by public health care or insurance, because the epidural procedure has not been approved by Health Canada. The family is paying for it themselves. It is also performed in countries such as the United States and Switzerland, but it is much cheaper in Thailand.

The playerB次元官网网址檚 mother, who didnB次元官网网址檛 go to Thailand, said heB次元官网网址檚 been low key when sheB次元官网网址檚 talked to him.

B次元官网网址淚n typical Ryan fashion heB次元官网网址檚 very quiet. All he says is heB次元官网网址檚 very tired and you can tell. His body, his mind, everything is tired because heB次元官网网址檚 pushing as far as he can.B次元官网网址�

Her son takes part in nerve mapping in the morning, does physio in the afternoon and then does more work with the implant, she said. He still plans to hit the ice in Bangkok with his hockey sledge before returning home.

Straschnitzki said seeing her boyB次元官网网址檚 progress on the videos stunned her.

B次元官网网址淚 was just absolutely floored. It obviously brought the tears. I was bawling. It was unreal,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淭om said the last time Ryan walked was when he walked on the bus and then, to watch him moving his legs, walking essentially, that just rocked me.B次元官网网址�

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2019.

B次元官网网址� Follow @BillGraveland on Twitter

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press