AAPD to Present 2007 Henry B. Betts Award

Award Presentation to be Made at AAPD Leadership Gala in Washington, DC – March 7, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC, December 13, 2006 — The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is delighted to announce that the 2007 Henry B. Betts Award will be presented to Mark Johnson, a nationally-recognized activist, community organizer, and Director of Advocacy at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Henry B. Betts Award is named in honor of Henry B. Betts, M.D., a pioneer in the field of Rehabilitation medicine who started his career with the Institute in 1964, making it the base for his career as an advocate for people with physical disabilities and leader in the field of rehabilitation medicine, and who has devoted himself to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. The award program, which is administered by AAPD, was created in 1989 by the Prince Charitable Trusts and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Continue Reading »

‘Murderball’ star discuss film, life as quadriplegic rugby player

Even though he is bound to his wheelchair, Keith Cavill, one of the stars of the award-winning documentary “Murderball,” maintains he is not restricted to it.

Speaking to an audience of more than 50 people in the Whittenberger Auditorium Friday, Cavill shared his story about being a quadriplegic rugby player.

The event, hosted by the Union Board, featured a question-and-answer session with Cavill following a screening of the film. Continue Reading »

The Personal Care Attendant Guide

People with disabilities are one of the largest groups in the United States – about 58 million Americans are members of this community. To live independently, many people with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities hire a personal attendant to assist with day-to-day tasks. Finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging, but not impossible.

Written by an inspiring speaker, writer and advocate who is herself disabled, The Personal Care Attendant Guide teaches readers how to find a competent caregiver. It also gives current and prospective attendants vital information and real-life examples to help them succeed in this demanding work Environment. Continue Reading »

Back home again

It’s been a roller coaster of emotions for Rusty Begnaud since the swimming pool accident last June that left him a paralyzed. Returning home has been one of the high points, and a landmark step on the way to his goal of regaining some independence.

“One day you feel great, and everything’s good, the next day you backtrack,” said Begnaud, who returned home to New Iberia with his father Calvin just over a week ago. The two had been in Atlanta completing one phase of Rehabilitation at the Shepherd Center, a non-profit facility specializing in the care of spinal cord and head trauma patients. “It takes a toll on you mentally. I was struggling to get through that.” Continue Reading »

Man with ALS feels like he’s trapped inside a shell

Dr. Luis Cebrian says he feels like he’s trapped inside a shell. “I feel like I’m basically made out of wood or rubber.”

Although he is paralyzed, he is acutely aware of his body. His experience is different from a person who has had a severe spinal injury and has no sensation from the neck down. “I can feel my toes. I can tell you the places where I hurt. I feel tired when I’ve been sitting in one place too long. I feel like I could just get up and walk.”

As he sits in an alcove off his living room talking about what it’s like to be unable to move, Luis’ wife Valerie is at his side. She periodically crosses and uncrosses his legs, puts a glass of water to his lips so he can sip from it and makes small adjustments in the direction his wheelchair is facing. Except for brief respites, she’s his full-time caregiver. Continue Reading »

Snow-boarders risk serious spine injuries

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Amateur snow-boarders who try to catch some air can put themselves at risk of paralyzing spinal cord injuries, warn researchers.

In a study of 18 snow-boarders treated at their hospital for spinal cord injuries, Japanese doctors found that failed jumps were the cause in most cases. Nearly all patients were young men who considered their skill level to be intermediate or “expert,” but none had ever received formal instruction in snow-boarding.

Although spinal cord injuries are relatively rare compared with less severe snow-boarding mishaps, such as wrist and shoulder injuries, they can be devastating should they occur. Continue Reading »

Wheelchairs traded for wakeboards

People with disabilities trying a sport that was just about impossible a few years ago

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS (AP) — Two years ago, Vijay Viswanathan severed his spinal cord while rappelling during a rock-climb on the Front Range. He has used a wheelchair ever since.

And although he has lost use of his legs, Viswanathan has not lost his taste for excitement. Viswanathan spent a recent Saturday and Sunday at Bald Eagle Lake in Steamboat Springs practicing wakeboarding and water skiing with 11 other participants with disabilities. It was part of a weekend event attended by people from as far away as Houston. Continue Reading »

Everyone is a Player

The paralyzed patients at Rehab Hospital are taught how to relearn their skills and sports

DAWNA ZANE has won the marathon in Honolulu, paddled in New Zealand and skied in Alaska. All in a wheelchair.

In 2000, Zane was in a car accident that left her with a spinal cord injury, paralyzed from my chest down. Continue Reading »

Frazier Rehab Institute

Known for its world-class care in comprehensive acute rehab, the Frazier Rehab Institute includes inpatient and outpatient facilities, a 135-bed hospital on the Jewish Hospital Medical Campus, an expanding system of Outpatient Rehab sites in Kentucky and southern Indiana, and a 60-bed inpatient hospital (owned in partnership with Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services and Clark Memorial Hospital) named Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital. Programs at acute hospitals, nursing homes and industrial sites in a two-state region are also included in the Network.

Frazier is committed to the development of programs which combine traditional rehab with innovative therapeutic techniques. Continue Reading »

The Advocate

Don Reed, a tireless proponent for stem cell research, is on a quest to see his son walk again

IN AN AUDITORIUM at San Francisco’s new Mission Bay life sciences hub near SBC Park earlier this month, some of the world’s brightest scientists were discussing turning basic stem cell research into medical cures.

Among them was a 61-year-old retired deep-sea diver, schoolteacher and bodybuilder from Fremont.

After a while, the man raised his hand. Continue Reading »