Arlene Howe: An Inspiration
By Amber Ward

Arlene Howe Photo by Amber Ward

Julian residents Arlene and Ron Howe have met a life-changing experience with faith and open minds.

In December 2004, the car Arlene was driving skidded and rolled off Highway 79 during a snow storm. The accident left her with a broken neck, confined to wheelchair as a quadriplegic.

Today, she is making strides toward her goal of defying the prognosis of "never being able to walk again," and is finding ways to help others with disabilities along the way.

Arlene moved to California from New York in 1984. She has taught math and chemistry at the high school and college levels, had a Coast Guard Captain's License, was a charter captain, and has taught others how to sail.

Arlene and Ron Howe purchased the All Seasons Lodge in 1998. Both Arlene and her husband are ordained ministers, seminar speakers and authors on the topic of healing relationships. Initially, they wanted to use the facility as a place to hold Christian singles retreats but later turned it into a successful bed-and-breakfast.

The bed-and-breakfast closed its doors the day of Arlene's accident, and now serves as their private residence.

Ron and Arlene have had to make several changes to their home to make it wheelchair accessible. They have replaced door hinges with ones allowing a wider entry, and have built ramps. Although there are many other changes that need to be made, the couple is considering someday opening the lodge for quadriplegic and paraplegic guests.

Ron is Arlene's primary caregiver. While she is able to perform some activities independently, she relies on Ron for many tasks.

She is now able to use a walker for short distances, like from the exercise table to her power wheelchair. After completing driving lessons, she has learned how to operate a modified van, and has been driving since February.

Arlene and Ron are willing to "try anything, if it works," to make progress in her recovery. Their latest experience included a trip to Moscow for a stem cell treatment.

She underwent a procedure in December 2005 that promised results in four to six weeks. She met with a team of five Russian neurosurgeons, one of which had performed more than 1,000 stem cell procedures, 10 were on patients with broken necks. During the procedure, the stem cells were injected into Arlene's spinal cord.

After the procedure, she experienced some mobility improvements, including the ability to climb 2- to 4-inch steps, and balance unassisted for up to 2 minutes.

However, an MRI performed in June revealed that the stem cells had not repaired her spinal cord. The couple attributes Arlene's progress to God.

The day after the MRI, Arlene attempted to transfer, unassisted to her walker, and was able to do it for the first time. She attributed her newfound balance and strength to her "letting go and letting God" outlook.

Arlene continues to work daily at her recovery and is progressing. Today, she can successfully transfer from her wheelchair to her workout table and back; stand at a counter or sink; bend and pick up things dropped on the floor; and has movement in her ankles and hamstrings.

"Just the other day, I found Ron's candy stash in the cupboard," Arlene says. "And I helped myself, one piece at a time, not an easy task with turned up fists."

Arlene and Ron Howe's present goals include, continuing therapy toward further recovery, and publishing Ron's relationship book, "Wisdom and the Woodcutter."

Her goals for this year: To walk at this year's "Old Time Melodrama" and to continue organizing a support group for the "able-minded but less-able bodied" Julian residents and family members.

The group held its first meeting at the Julian Library on Sept. 8, and it was attended by seven couples, who introduced themselves and shared resources. They also discussed issues like support and problem solving.

The group meets at the Julian Library community room from 10:15 a.m. for an hour on Fridays. The meetings are open to those interested. For more information, call Arlene Howe at 760-765-4848.