The last few years, as we have grown as an independent Veterans’ Service Organization (VSO), United Spinal Association has received more invitations to participate in local, regional, and national events commemorating Veterans Day. It was with great pride that I had the opportunity last month to attend the White House Veterans Day Breakfast. It was […]

I recently traveled to Denver, Colorado to spread the word about United Spinal Association. My first stop was at Craig Hospital, which has a world-renowned spinal cord injury (SCI) rehab program, as well as an excellent rehabilitation program for traumatic brain injury. I spoke to staff about our services, and about ways in which we […]

by Tom Scott
Youakim honored for 60 years of service to United Spinal and wheelchair athletes.

On the evening of November 5, River Edge, New Jersey native Albert Youakim, was awarded United Spinal Association’s inaugural Community Service Award named in his honor, during a ceremony and dinner at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights Hotel in New […]

by Lori A. Wood
When people think of yoga, they sometimes conjure up images of students contorting their body into unusual positions and holding them for interminable amounts of time. Yoga instructor Mary Cavanaugh proves that there are much simpler ways to use the discipline that even those with spinal cord impairment can practice.

Mary […]

by Ed Lash
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is often described as a mystery disease. One of the mysteries is the exact cause of MS. With the evidence we have today, the likely cause is considered to be a combination of complex factors which include genetics, environmental influences, probably early childhood diseases, and possibly other unknown factors. […]

by Rob Ingraham

There is general agreement in Congress and among health care stakeholders that the Medicare Trust Fund is in serious financial trouble and many programs could be in jeopardy if Congress does not come up with ways of reducing costs. While a number of possible remedies are circulating, one has sparked a firestorm of […]

by Jennifer M. Rodriguez
For individuals with disabilities, the simple act of voting can be both difficult and discouraging. In response to numerous complaints about inaccessible voting machines and polling places, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) to ensure that every American qualified to vote is able to exercise this […]

by John M. Williams
I have stuttered severely for 53 years. I have never liked it. Hundreds of times I have cursed it.
Stuttering is a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is broken by repetitions, prolongations, or abnormal stoppages of sounds and syllables. Unusual facial and body movements are associated with stuttering. […]

by Marion Murray, PhD
The Problem: Acute Injury Kills Neurons
During embryonic and early postnatal development, neurons in the Central Nervous System (CNS: brain and spinal cord) employ an active genetic program to drive growth of axons and formation of specific patterns of connections with other neurons. Neurons of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS), whose axons innervate […]

by Dan Anderson
On October 21, Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) announced the Senate would not consider his legislation (S471) to expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research until 2006. The news was a sharp blow to supporters of the bill who had hoped the Senate would approve it this fall, capitalizing on the positive […]

by Michelle Pierre, MA, RD
A little more than a year ago, Orbit published an article describing a feasibility study to investigate pressure ulcer healing in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) “Can Anabolic Steroids Heal Pressure Ulcers?, September 2004”.
The 1-year multi-center feasibility study was successfully completed, and in January 2005, the […]

by Erin Siniff
In February of 1997 U.S. Army veteran Dan Alberts was involved in a snowmobile accident that resulted in a tear in his aorta. Alberts survived the injury that doctors thought would take his life, but it left him paralyzed from the waist down.
Prior to his injury, Alberts was an avid athlete […]

by Kathleen M. Muldoon
One day when I was walking in the mall, a young girl in a wheelchair whizzed by me. I never knew anyone could travel so fast in a manual wheelchair! But my first thought about her was, “There goes a girl who would be fun to know!” I didn’t get […]

by Rosemarie Rosetti, PhD
With the rising cost of gasoline, everyone is trying to economize. Many are looking at ways to get more mileage out of every gallon of gasoline.
Did you ever consider how to get more mileage out of everything you do? Have you thought about how you can be more effective […]

by Kristen A. Johnson MS, CTRS and Sara J. Klaas, MSW, C-ASWCM
As Americans are flocking in larger numbers to the great outdoors, hospitals and rehabilitation centers are taking heed and creating a paradigm shift in the way treatment is being delivered. Therapists are implementing goal-oriented programs such as kayaking, sailing, rock climbing, and scuba […]

by Charlotte Bethune-Fisher
Last month, I gave an overview of how to start planning a trip, how to use a travel agency, and what to consider when using ground transportation. This month, we’ll look at how to use air travel.
The Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 prohibits discrimination against air travelers with disabilities. For […]

by Tom Scott
New Beginnings and Old Memories: The United Spinal Jets Quad Rugby Team
The successful summer release of the movie Murderball, a documentary on the hard- nosed sport of quad rugby, has boosted interest in the United Spinal Jets quad rugby program. The team, now stacked with 10 new players, including Murderball star […]