Articles - Independence en-us http://www.thescizone.com/news N/A http://www.thescizone.com/news michael@thescizone.com 20 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1515/1/Helping-Hands-teaches-Needham-students-about-safety-with-the-help-of-a-monkey/1.html Marie Waitkevich is trying to talk seriously about the importance of wearing a helmet, but a small monkey keeps banging a walnut on the table behind her, eliciting shrieks of laughter from her audience.“Not all monkeys eat walnuts this way,” she told her elementary school audience. “Lindsay is particularly good at opening them up.”Lindsay, a 14-year-old helper monkey, is nearly ready to graduate from Monkey College, where she is being trained to serve as a personal attendant for a severely disabled recipient. She took a break from her studies last week to visit the Eliot School to help Waitkevich, a veterinarian technician at Helping Hands, teach students about disabilities. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1175/1/Reaching-her-goal-one-step-at-a-time/1.html Most of the citizens of Barrhead and surrounding communities know the Preugschas family. Whether it was through their kids being involved in sports and 4-H, or through the family's pig farm out in Bloomsbury, chances are you know them. On June 2, 1997, their world was changed forever. On their way home from a wedding in Minnesota, they were in a car accident. 18 year-old Nolan was killed, and 16 year-old Trina broke her neck and was paralyzed from the neck down. Following the accident, Trina spent close to 4 months at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital where she underwent daily physical therapy. When she moved back home, her work continued.  michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/991/1/Love-Bloomed-Despite-Paralysis-After-She-Saved-His-Life/1.html   Maryann Soucy and Daniel Spradley went bowling on their first date in 2005. Last week they bowled again - Danny's first outing since August. "I used to be so athletic. I worked hard," says Danny, currently in rehabilitation at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain. "I struggle now to put on my shirt," a task he wrestled with for five months after being told he would never move his arms again. "I can't put on my sweater. My muscle strength isn't there yet," Danny says. But "I'm hoping to be home by June 16. My goal is to be somewhat self-sufficient" by then, his 28th birthday. He and Maryann are planning their wedding for the summer of 2008. "That will give me plenty of time to heal up more. I dream about me walking again. I do think I will be able to move my legs again in the next year." michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Sun, 28 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/934/1/A-gift-of-independence/1.html Disabled man regains some freedom with specially fitted carSean Corner gets a hug and a set of car keys from his friend Jeff Stewart who raised the money to buy Sean a Chrysler Pacifica outfitted with hand controls. Ron Stewart asked a bunch of his friends to kick in $1,000 each to help buy a specially equipped car for Sean Corner, the 21-year-old rugby player paralyzed in a game in September. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Sat, 23 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/790/1/QUADRIPLEGIC-MOM-WALKS-After-gymnastics-move-goes-wrong-a-remarkable-recovery/Page-1.html On the front lawn of their Randolph home, Niles did a handstand, swung her legs over her head and collapsed on her face, landing hard on her stomach. ‘‘I’ve done hundreds of them, but something happened that day with my wrists - they gave out,’’ she recalled. A burning sensation flashed the length of her body, from her neck to her toes. Everything felt numb; she couldn’t move her arms or legs. In an instant, the 40-year-old mother of two had been paralyzed from the chest down - an ‘‘incomplete’’ quadriplegic because she still had sensation and could move one toe and one of her arms ever so slightly. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/778/1/Ramp-offers-accessibility/Page-1.html 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.” The Nobs family, who are new to the area from Texas, wanted to explore the community. But without a ramp Dylan didn’t have easy access to the outside world. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Mon, 31 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/645/1/Virtual-reality-helps-spinal-cord-patients-gain-confidence/Page-1.html Spinal injury patient Bob Jones may be paralyzed and in a wheelchair, but he won't sit still for long. He uses virtual reality technology to help him with his injury. "This gives you an idea of what you're gonna' be running into on the outside of the building," Jones said. It's rehabilitation that looks more like a video game. "It's fun, but a little scary," Jones said. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Fri, 24 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/608/1/Monkey-Helpers-Lend-a-Helping-Hand/Page-1.html  People who lost the use of their arms and legs face challenges the rest of us can hardly imagine. Some of them are unable to help themselves do most things. Now a unique program is offering a helping hand -- but patients have to be willing to except some monkey business. Ayla is a Capuchin monkey, the same monkeys organ grinders used. But now, instead of doing frivolous tricks, these monkeys are being taught to be the arms and legs of people who've lost the use of their own. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Fri, 13 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/267/1/The-Oprah-Winfrey-Show---INDEPENDENCE-iBOT-Mobility-System/Page-1.html The Oprah Winfrey Show on ABC will be airing a story about one of our INDEPENDENCE iBOT Mobility System owners.  The story, featuring Jim MacLaren, winner of the prestigious Arthur Ashe Courage Award, will be broadcast on Thursday, September 29, 2005.  Breaking news could postpone the telecast.   Oprah is broadcast on your local ABC affiliate.  Please check your local listings for more information.  michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Wed, 28 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/125/1/iBOT-Mobility-System/Page-1.html About The iBOT Mobility System Expand your horizons with the iBOT Mobility System Enjoy new opportunities with the revolutionary INDEPENDENCE iBOT 4000 Mobility System. The iBOT Mobility System has a combination of features that is unlike any wheelchair ever created. Power across sand, gravel, grass and other uneven terrain, easily climb curbs up to 5 inches and steps, rise to an eye-level position and hold a conversation, even when you are on the move. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Wed, 17 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0400