Independence Now, an organization that assists people with disabilities to live more independent lives, has been awarded a Quality of Life grant in the amount of $13,628 from the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

Independence Now plans to use the grant to reach out to younger people with disabilities living in nursing facilities in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties or who are interested in moving into the community. Continue Reading »

Bartlett in serious neck injury

Hawke’s Bay Nui Bartlett is in a critical condition after suffering from a serious neck injury sustained in an Air New Zealand Cup rugby match against Canterbury.

The loose forward has been flown to the Burwood Spinal Unit in Christchurch for specialist care after a maul collapsed during his side’s 45-0 loss over the weekend. Continue Reading »

(Charlotte, NC-AP) July 31, 2006 – A Charlotte, North Carolina, banker who suffered a severe spine injury during last month’s running of the bulls in Spain is being transferred to a special spinal center in Atlanta.

Ray Ducharme is to be taken to Atlanta’s Shepherd Center via helicopter Monday. Continue Reading »

HIBBING — A ramp for someone in a wheelchair can be a lifeline to the world.

For Dylan Nobs, 30, of Hibbing, having a wheelchair ramp enabled him to go beyond the boundaries of his home.

“We were landlocked,” said Denise Nobs, Dylan’s mother and caretaker. “He was basically stuck out here on the deck or in the house for six weeks. We were just chomping at the bit to go places.” Continue Reading »

For many stroke victims, one of the most debilitating results of their condition is the paralysis of a limb.

For the thousands of Americans who have difficulty walking due to a paralyzed foot, an Israeli company may have the answer to restore their former gait.

Central Nervous System injuries often cause a gait disorder called ‘Foot Drop’ which is the inability to raise the foot while walking and therefore results in dragging of the foot, instability, and increased effort as they move. Continue Reading »

The embryonic stem cell debate marches on, from pulpit to politics to Parkinson’s patients hoping beyond hope a cure is found.

Lee Sippel, of Fond du Lac, and Stacy Ellingen, of Eden, see future research as the key to unlocking their limitations. Sippel suffers from a spinal cord injury, and Ellingen faces the challenges of the world through the eyes of a person with cerebral palsy.

Kathleen Salm, diagnosed with diabetes four years ago, believes that using embryos at any stage, even those smaller than a period, is murder. Continue Reading »

Birth-injury program loses as high court says it won’t hear appeal

A state program to help children injured at birth has lost a 2½-year legal battle during which it sought to deny care to a Paraplegic Franklin County boy.

The program had argued that Mason Allen McGrady’s ability to combat-crawl across the floor with his one good limb illustrated that he did not need assistance in all aspects of daily living, a criterion to qualify for lifetime help. Continue Reading »

First of all, thank you for your tireless dedication. Without your help, the historic passage of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810) in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate would not have been possible. By taking up the legacy of our courageous leaders on this issue, Christopher and Dana Reeve, your determined advocacy played an important role in these significant victories. Thank you. Continue Reading »

(July 25, 2006) — A budding young artist eagerly applies himself to developing his talent, but he’s frustrated when his teachers allow him to work only in one medium, with one color. Begging for more materials to work with, he’s told that red is all he deserves and finger-painting is quite enough. When he fails to produce the colorful masterpieces his early talent had promised, he’s dismissed as a failure.

This is analogous to the scenario that President Bush and like-minded Congress members have created for embryonic stem cell research. Continue Reading »

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Injections of Botox, or botulinum toxin-type A, appear useful in the treatment of drug-resistant urinary Incontinence due to traumatic spinal cord injury, UK researchers report.

In fact, lead investigator Dr. Prasad S. Patki told Reuters Health, “Botulinum toxin A has had a profound impact on the quality of life of spinal cord injury patients.”

“Certainly the weight of evidence favors its regular use,” Patki added. Continue Reading »