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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 to our Meetings and Travel staff who ensure that everything falls into place at the meeting site.
Although the conference is only three days long, the amount of work that goes into putting together a program for one association, let alone three, is simply overwhelming. The fruition [...]
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 attend this event each year, primarily professionals who work in the various disciplines of spinal cord injury (SCI). The conference also has vendors who exhibit products and services that relate to SCI, such as medical equipment, pharmaceutical products, and books.
These conferences provide a significant contribution in [...]
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 I continued to use for over 50 years, was essentially the same that Franklin Roosevelt used in the ’30s and ’40s-stainless steel uprights joined by leather covered steel bands. A strapped leather pad stabilized the knee, and a brace shoe attached to steel uprights rounded out this [...]
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 life, he was eager to share that time with a co-star of a different sort-spinal cord injury (SCI).
According to Gerard Kelly, Executive Director of United Spinal Association, that time was well spent. “I think he was a good activist, because he certainly had the [...]
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 trauma resea rch.
Why is this so important? Imagine you’re in a dream being chased, you’re terrified and frightened and something evil is trying to hurt you, it’s moving closer, but you can’t move. Your legs, arms and fingers are frozen in cement and you are paralyzed. [...]
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, f ree from the restraints imposed by an inhibited society. While others prefer to cloak the subject of disability in vague euphemisms and speak of it in hushed tones, he faces it head-on, unafraid to speak his mind. Critics may find this sort of humor blunt-even sick-but [...]
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, for multisensory appeal, consumers should ask: Does the toy respond with lights, sounds, or movement? Are there contrasting colors? Does it have a scent? Is there texture?
Other questions are: Will the toy provide a challenge, but without frustration? What is the force required to activate it? What are [...]
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 will feel cramps and see blood.” They talked about it as though it would unfold as straightforwardly as a 15-minute slide show presentation. But I had no warning. No cramps or anything. All I got was the embarrassment of bleeding in my seat during a class in [...]
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 request in terms of office space?
In particular, are there standard clearances established for space between furniture, etc., for those ambulating with bilateral canes? Is it appropriate to ask for a window that can be opened when the heat is on (I provide my own fan) so that [...]
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 participants to recreational and adaptive sports through clinics led by United Spinal athletes. Participants enjoyed handcycling, wheelchair tennis and wheelchair basketball, as well as lunch and a chance to practice using the wheelchair lift on a New York City Transit (NYCT) bus.
The morning started off with [...]
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 September 26-27 in a special area adjacent to Shea Stadium prior to games between the major league Chicago Cubs and New York Mets. A softball field was created for the tournament , complete with metal bleachers.
The game proved to be a battleground for the RIC [...]
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