Because spinal cord injury victims have very limited mobility, using a desktop computer or laptop can be difficult for them. NSU researchers in occupational therapy believe that the iPad, with its lightweight, portability characteristics, as well as its touch screen, will help patients have greater access to the Internet, applications, social media outlets, music, games, GPS, and other functions.

Additionally, the iPad will make it much easier for them to read books and newspapers, which they would not have to pick up anymore.

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More about another grantee I met at AOTA.

Janelle

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Having spent four months in therapy, Yoo is more aware than ever that what would be seemingly small victories to everyone else, are immeasurable to the actual patient. "Function is determined by how much you put into it," says Yoo. "Going from doing flips in the air to pain in my back when I walk hardly makes you feel like yourself. It's about changing focus, reinventing yourself."

"Any victory, big or small, keeps alive that hope for SCI patients that there will one day be a cure," explains Yoo. "Every advance in pharmacology, mechanical technology, stem cell therapy, while they might not offer a complete cure, will undoubtedly have huge implications in the individual lives of spinal cord injured patients."

To really understand the life of a someone living with a spinal cord injury, Yoo says, "I would urge any non-spinal cord injured individual to take a minute to reflect on all the things that so many of us take for granted -- the ability to feel a loved one's touch, to have control over your own bowel and bladder, to move your body freely, to stand up and walk, to cough when you have to, or even simply to breath on your own. Then, imagine losing any one of those things and ask what you wouldn't do to get that back. SCI patients often have several of these deficits, sometimes all, and occasionally even more. So, while a complete cure might be a long time coming, simply improving some of the sequels of the disease is, and always will be, progress worth making."

Read about Yoo's NRN experience and his journey to walking again.

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Participants of all abilities can participate in basketball (wheelchair and stand-up), tennis (wheelchair and stand-up), wall climbing (all abilities), swimming (all abilities), kayaking (all abilities), martial arts (all abilities), track and field, motor skills activities, wheelchair obstacle course, quad rugby, goal ball (blind sport for all to try), beep baseball, golf, soccer, wheelchair lacrosse, dance, cycling/hand cycling (organizers will have tandem, single and hand bikes for all abilities), archery and sit-volleyball.

“We greatly appreciate the support that the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation has given us over the years,” said Aaron Moffett, professor of kinesiology at CSUSB and director of the festival. “Through their support, we have been able to purchase adapted equipment, which can be incredibly expensive, increase the number of participants to 700 athletes, and ensure that our program stays free for all participants.”

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Learn about the Quality of Life Grants Program.

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With the announcement of the Reeve Foundation's 1st cycle 2011 Quality of Life Grant recipients, we are pleased to be getting feedback from some of the grantees.

Here is what the C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta has been doing.

For the second time in its nine-year history, the C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Regatta is the beneficiary of a grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The foundation awards grant monies to non-profit organizations in recognition of programs that enable people with disabilities to live independent and active lives. The Quality of Life grant underscores the mission of the C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta which was created to allow sailors with disabilities to reach their personal competitive goals, which in turn has a direct impact on their quality of life.

“It [The Clagett] has really improved my quality of life, my independence, and what I’m going to do with the rest of my life,” said Jody Hill (Seabrook, Texas). A professional yacht skipper before his spinal cord injury in 2006, Hill frankly admits that during his first two years post-injury he was depressed and getting into trouble. That changed once he found he could get back on the water and his appearance at the 2010 Clagett Regatta was his second-ever disabled sailing race. “It’s just been a real boost for me mentally and physically.”

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Learn more about the Quality of Life Grants Program.

Janelle

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