The Whole World Is Watching

Hope—and anxiety—run high as the first clinical trial of embryonic-stem-cell therapy begins this summer.

Six weeks before the hoopla over President Barack Obama’s executive order lifting restrictions on embryonic-stem-cell research, Hans Keirstead, a scientist at the University of California, Irvine, was already sipping champagne. In 2005 Keirstead had published a study showing that a therapy derived from human embryonic stem cells could make partially paralyzed rats walk. Continue Reading »

Adventure Therapy

A LIFELONG STRUGGLE: People who have suffered spinal cord injuries are at higher risk for obesity than those who haven’t. Because they’re often confined to a wheelchair, the paralyzed have a hard time exercising at a rate fast enough to burn excess calories. That isn’t the only reason they struggle to keep weight off. After injury to the spinal cord, individuals usually have a slower metabolic rate or a slower speed at which they burn calories. In addition to obesity, those with spinal cord injuries are at increased risk for related conditions like glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, diabetes and coronary artery disease. Continue Reading »

Neuralstem’s Human Stem Cells Integrate into Nervous System of Rats with Animal Model of ALS

Make Synaptic Contact with Host Motor Neurons

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Transplanted human neural stem cells (hNSCs) developed by Neuralstem, Inc. (NYSE Alternext US: CUR) made synaptic contacts with the motor neurons of rats with ALS-like symptoms, a paper published in the current online edition of the Journal of Comparative Neurology reported. This constitutes evidence that the transplanted cells integrated into the nervous system of the host. The rats had a genetic mutation called SOD-1 G93A which gives them a disease similar to ALS in humans. Continue Reading »

Stationary bike helps spinal cord injury sufferers

People who have suffered spinal cord injuries are at higher risk for obesity than those who haven’t.

Because they’re often confined to a wheelchair, the paralyzed have a hard time exercising at a rate fast enough to burn excess calories.

That isn’t the only reason they struggle to keep weight off. After injury to the spinal cord, individuals usually have a slower metabolic rate or a slower speed at which they burn calories. Continue Reading »

Paraplegic raising funds

Fenelon Falls resident praises support of association

More than six years ago, a single moment changed Matt Hughes’ life forever.

In August 2002, Hughes was involved in a pool accident that left him with a spinal cord injury that paralyzed him from the chest down.

Speaking at his home in Fenelon, Hughes said that he is still making adjustments in his life. Continue Reading »

How retired Formula 1 hero David Coulthard now devotes his spare time to charity

SCOTS Formula 1 hero David Coulthard is used to life in the fast lane. And three months after retiring from racing, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.

The 37-year-old became a dad in November, and is fitting in spending time with nine-week-old son Dayton and fiancee Karen Minier with business interests around the world, as well as preparing to become a TV pundit for the BBC’s Formula 1 coverage. Continue Reading »

Local family grateful for support for son

Ken Majonis, 31, was paralyzed in accident; now convalescing at home

MARLBORO — The Majonis family of Marlboro saw a happy ending to 2008 and an early look into 2009 provides hope for the future.

Ken Majonis, 31, suffered spinal injuries that left him paralyzed from the waist down as the result of a dirt bike accident on Sept. 21 in Tinton Falls. Majonis was flown from the scene of the accident to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, where he underwent surgery to stabilize his shattered T-12 vertebrae. Continue Reading »

Beyond disabilities

Interacting with people who use mobility aids

Probably the most recognisable form of Disability is physical. Yes, it is absolutely true! People using crutches, a wheelchair or some other mobility assistive equipment are almost always immediately identified as having a disability. The question is, is it always true? In most cases, yes it is, however, the severity of the disability is what is mostly misunderstood. Just because a person may be using a wheelchair does not mean they are totally unable to walk. It may simply mean that their physical limitation may not allow them to walk for long distances so they may use the aid of a wheelchair. Continue Reading »

Thankful for 50 more years

Thrill-Seeker Has Led ‘Wonderfully Fulfilling Life’ Since Accident

VIENNA, Va. – At 67, Sharon Hovey says she is ready to settle down.

An Ashville native and self-described thrill-seeker, Ms. Hovey says she has lived her life on the edge – though bound to a wheelchair for the last 50 years by Quadriplegia. Continue Reading »

Promising therapies for spinal cord injuries

A quarter of a million Americans are currently living with spinal cord injuries, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Although most people know this type of injury can be a devastating diagnosis, not everyone knows there are many different types of spinal cord injuries. The location of the injury along the spinal cord determines what parts of the body are affected. Different types of spinal cord injuries include: Continue Reading »