I would like to commend Dr. Vivian Beyda and her staff for their tremendous work of once again coordinating and facilitating the annual meetings of the three associations we sponsor (American Paraplegia Society, American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses, and American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Psychologists and Social Workers). Recognition is also due […]

First, I would like to wish everyone, and particularly our veteran members, a happy Veterans Day. At this time of strife in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is fitting that we pause to honor veterans of all our wars, but it is also important to let those young men and women returning from our present conflicts […]

by Sara Lerman, MPH, and Stephen Sofer, PhD
For over 20 years, Las Vegas has been the site for concurrent annual educational conferences for each of three associations: American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses (AASCIN), American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Psychologists and Social Workers (AASCIPSW), and American Paraplegia Society (APS). Approximately 1,500 individuals […]

by Richard J. Feltes
I contracted polio before my first birthday. Although the virus caused paralysis in both legs, I was fortunate that only one requires a full-length leg brace—known within the medical field as a KAFO or Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis. The style of leg brace fitted to me in the early 1950s, which […]

by Lori A. Wood

How will the loss of Christopher Reeve affect public awareness of SCI?
There is a common negative stereotype that surrounds actors. People tend to think of them as vain, self-absorbed people who are unwilling to share time in the spotlight with their co-stars. For the last eight years of Christopher Reeve’s […]

by Chaz Southard
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is considering signing a bill that will now help fund spinal cord injury [SCI] research. This bill will add a surcharge to revoked driver’s licenses and could potentially generate up to a million and a half dollars per year, half of which will go directly toward spinal […]

by Lori A. Wood
In one of John Callahan’s cartoons, a man with prosthetic arms is sitting in a bar, staring longingly at his drink. Noticing this, the bartender says, “Sorry, Mike, you just can’t hold your liquor!”
With just the right blend of sarcasm and silliness, Callahan gets to the heart of a matter, […]

by John M. Williams
Each year during the holiday season I receive scores of e-mails, faxes and telephone calls from parents and relatives looking for toys for children with disabilities.
There are many considerations in buying toys for children with disabilities, some similar to those for any child, some unique to each disability. For example, […]

by Deb Joiner
I had my first menstrual cycle when I was 13. I didn’t know the word “menstruation;” it was known to my virgin ears only as “The Curse.” The way our health class teachers explained it was no preparation for the reality. “Your body is going through changes,” they told us. “You […]

Q: What reasonable accommodations can I expect as a part-time employee?
I am a physician at a university in Pennsylvania. Recently, I was told that parttime employees couldn’t have private offices. I have multiple sclerosis and use bilateral canes to prevent falling. I am also very sensitive to heat. What type of accommodations should I […]

by Dulce Aponte
The Third Annual Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Clinic, held in Bulova Park in Jackson Heights, New York on Wednesday, September 29, was a success despite threats of rain. The free program, sponsored by United Spinal Association and the New York City chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.msnyc.com), introduced over 50 […]

by Jennifer M. Rodriguez

The United Spinal Association Mets, a Division I wheelchair softball team co-sponsored by the New York Mets and United Spinal Association, placed second against the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) Cubs, after losing 8-0 in the championship game of the Fourth Major League Wheelchair Softball Tournament. The event took place […]