Scientists develop new methods for the study of spinal cord injury After spinal cord injury nerve fibers do not regenerate by themselves; loss of neuronal function up to complete paralysis is the consequence. When investigating new potential therapies, scientists are often confronted with an experimental problem: Neurons are embedded deep into the tissue of the spinal cord and thus difficult to access with microscopy methods. Scientists around Professor Frank Bradke, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), have now met this experimental challenge with the development of a new technology. Continue Reading »

(Medical Xpress) — In the event of the spinal cord injury, the long nerve cell filaments, the axons, may become severed. For quite some time now, scientists have been investigating whether these axons can be stimulated to regenerate. Such growth takes place on a scale of only a few millimetres. To date, changes like this could be determined only by cutting the tissue in question into wafer-thin slices and examining these under a microscope. However, the two-dimensional sections provide only an inaccurate picture of the spatial distribution and progression of the cells. Together with an international team, scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology in Martinsried have now developed a new method by virtue of which single nerve cells can be both examined in intact tissue and portrayed in all three dimensions. Continue Reading »

Growing up as a kid, Eric LeGrand dreamed of seeing himself on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He could have never imagined it coming like this, however. LeGrand, the former Rutgers defensive tackle, collided with an Army player in October of 2010, suffering a spinal cord injury, two fractured vertebrae and paralysis. Doctors thought he’d be on a respirator the rest of his life.

Instead, LeGrand continues to amaze them. He’s been working in rehab and, on Oct. 29, was able to join his teammates on the field in a motorized wheelchair. That moment was named the best sports moment in 2011, an award that was voted on by fans, and a photo from that day graces the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. Continue Reading »

Paralyzed after an accident in August, junior’s life is forever changed

ATLANTA — Michael Hoog unscrewed the cap of a Gatorade and placed the opening of the bottle on his son’s lower lip.

Sitting in his wheelchair, bundled up in a black stocking cap and Baltimore Orioles Snuggie, Tyler struggled to get his head into the right angle to take a sip of his favorite drink.

“Dad, you need to tip it back more,” Tyler said.

“Oh, sorry, bud,” Michael replied.

To even get to this point of the day required a series of difficult tasks. Continue Reading »

TAL FLETCHER JR. is a certified pilot, a helicopter ski guide and a licensed skydiver and paraglider. Now he will add South Pole explorer to his résumé.

The trip is an adventure of a lifetime, but it isn’t an adrenaline or notoriety grab for the 36-year-old Redwood High alum. His main responsibility on this trip will be to act as a guide in helping his friend Grant Korgan become the first adaptive athlete with a spinal cord injury to reach the South Pole. Continue Reading »

Statler trains physically disabled, visually impaired and blind persons for careers in the Contact/Call Center or Hospitality businesses. We have trained 400 students and have a job placement rate of more than 80%, enviable by any standard in the disabled community. Founded in 1989, we are a nationally recognized non-profit. Continue Reading »

Results encourage researchers planning clinical study for rehabilitation

West Orange, NJ. December 14, 2011. Monitored by scientists at Kessler Foundation, six people with traumatic spinal cord injuries tested Ekso, the robotic exoskeleton from Ekso Bionics that enables wheelchair users to stand and walk. The six participated in one week of preliminary testing in October 2011. Five patients have paraplegia and one has quadriplegia; they ranged in age from 27 to 45 and had durations of injury from 4 months to 2 years. This video highlights their experiences: Continue Reading »

We sell a wide range of mobility aids and living aids that can make life easier for you.

Do you need a mobility scooter to get to the shops, or a rise and recline chair to get to your feet? Look no further than Clarriots Mobility Online! Continue Reading »

Victory Walk Inc. is a 501-c-3 Arkansas corporation evolved from the recognition of the need for specialized Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) therapy. We have an eight-person board that currently meets monthly with the board members heading committees. Our clinic is located at 1200 N. 40th. Street in Springdale, Arkansas. Continue Reading »

AmeriGlide is the recognized leader in stair lifts, vertical lifts, and wheelchair lifts on the Internet. Americans looking for lift solutions have come to rely on our quality, reliability, support, service, and price. Our professional staff has the knowledge and expertise to help guide you through the entire process of determining which stair lift, vertical lift, or wheelchair lift is best suited for your needs. You can certainly pay more for your lift, but we can confidently state you cannot buy a better lift at any price. Continue Reading »