This is where the staff of the Reeve Foundation is sharing up-to-the-minute information and putting some context around the news affecting the spinal cord injury and paralysis community. Not to mention insight into what's going on here at the Foundation.
Feel free to comment and offer suggestions. We'll respond.
New in the PRC Library…
Through A Dog’s Eyes. DVD Twin Cities Public Television,
distributed by PBS, 2010. 60 minutes. Narrated by Neil Patrick Harris.
Through A Dog’s Eyes is a documentary that shows how service dogs can help and change the lives of people with disabilities. It features Jennifer Arnold, founder of Canine Assistants, a service dog organization. One of the features has tips on how to train your dog to be a service dog. This documentary is based on the book by the same title.
A copy of this video and book can be checked out from the Paralysis Resource Center’s library.
Please see our online catalog and borrowing instructions.
Posted by
JLoThursday, October 28, 2010
Here's another post about Team Reeve. (Sorry, I can't get enough of these super ambitious and inspirational athletes!)
If you've been following our blog, you probably know a little something about Team Reeve participant Kimberly Dredger (pictured). Her story is something else alright! Take a look at her personal blog here to get to know Kimberly a little bit more.
Kimberly was recently featured in her local newspaper, The Missoulian. (Picture compliments of Linda Thompson)
For Kimberly Dredger, the journey toward a new vision of herself began with a picture of someone else.
The picture was of former Missoula Police Sgt. Bob Heinle, paralyzed and in a wheelchair, crossing the finish line of the Missoula Marathon with his wife, Lisa, who ran the race to raise money for spinal cord research.
In that picture, of an officer shot in the line of duty, Dredger found the genesis of a personal transformation.
"It's easy to just sort of slip into a sedentary life of sitting on the couch," she said Monday. "That's what had happened to me."
Lisa Heinle and a handful of others ran the 2009 marathon wearing a shirt that said Team Heinle. The money they raised benefited the Christopher Reeve Foundation.
Inspired by the picture, the 54-year-old Dredger started training for the 2010 marathon. She, too, raised money for the Reeve Foundation, an effort that had the full support of Lisa Heinle.
Read the story of Kimberly's transformation.
Janelle
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Posted by
JLoThursday, October 28, 2010
One of my favorite Quality of Life grant recipients is Mind Body Solutions from Minnesota. Their mission is "to transform trauma, loss and disability into hope and potential by awakening the connection between mind and body." Take a look at their website and learn all about them.
A 2009 Quality of Life grant awarded to them was for an adaptive yoga DVD. Pretty neat if you ask me!
Founder of Mind Body Solutions, Matthew Sanford, is living with paralysis and knows the importance of the connection between the mind and body. Sanford recently spoke to children at Chicago's Shriners Hospital for Children. Here's a bit of what he said... but be sure to read the rest too, it's a good read.
"Don't give up on your bodies," Sanford pleads, reminding them -- and himself -- that their bodies didn't ask for the circumstances that caused their disabilities. "Your body's doing the best it can."
Sanford, who contends that deepening the connection between mind and body is more than a personal health strategy -- that "when we deepen the quality of where and how our minds interact and intersect with our bodies, our consciousness shifts [and] we get more connected to our lives, to each other, and to the planet" -- uses a softer sell with his attentive class.
Read the rest.
More on Quality of Life grantees in your area.
Janelle
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Posted by
JLoThursday, October 28, 2010
Here's an interesting video from CNN. The video reports about a coach from Kansas who has been asked to stay off the field. Why? Because his wheelchair is a hazard to players.
We know that a wheelchair does not define a person and it sure does not define his or her coaching abilities.
The video features reactions from parents, other coaches, authorities, and from the coach himself.
Watch the video.
I started a thread in the online community about this topic. Share your thoughts and reactions. Do you think this sends a good message to the kids? Is the chair really all that much a hazard? Let us know.
Janelle
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Posted by
GerthroWednesday, October 27, 2010
Here is a wonderful story that came through our
Tell Us Your Story Center:
After being a teacher for 34 years, Rich Fabend retired, and he and his wife, Marge, (pictured here) decided to go on a winter vacation. They went to St. John in the Virgin Islands, in February of 1999 but this would be no ordinary vacation.
After body surfing at Cinnamon Bay, Fabend, then 55, walked back into the water just as a wave broke in front of him. "I dove into the wave," says Fabend, "but at the wrong time and the wave lifted me up. It drove me to the hard packed bottom." When Fabend floated to the surface, his wife immediately turned him over and had others help get him to the beach area.
He had broken his neck in four different places: C2, C3, C5, and C6. Soon after had no pulse.
Read the rest of Rich's amazing story.
Rob
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Posted by
GerthroWednesday, October 27, 2010
The Reeve Foundation held its final road show of the year in San Francisco (pictured) on October 18th and although the view from the 32nd floor of the Westin was spectacular, the people attending were even more spectacular.
Over a 100 people from as far away as Oakland and San Jose came to learn the about the state of paralysis research and the Reeve Foundation and to spend time together as a community. After the presentations the audience, including researchers, people living with paralysis and their loved ones, O/Ts and P/Ts, representatives of the VA and PVA, countless nonprofits and the Mayor’s Office on Disabilities, took part in a lively question and answer session that ranged from stem cells to the
NeuroRecovery Network and how all the different research ties together.
We were all fortunate to be joined by Dr. Jacqueline Bresnahan and her husband Dr. Mike Beattie, both professors in the Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain and Spinal Injury Center at the University of California at San Francisco. Jacque is also Chair of the Foundation’s Science Advisory Council. She spoke about her research and the importance of collaboration in the field, citing her relationship with the Reeve Foundation as an example and they helped answer the audience’s questions.
We also saw first-hand the results of a community working together during a great visit to Kaiser Foundation Rehabilitation Center.
As we look forward to our 2011 road show program to be announced soon. We encourage you to find one close to you and attend. The opportunities to learn new information and network within the community are invaluable. Come out and see us. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Bill Cawley
Director, Community Programs Development
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Posted by
GerthroWednesday, October 27, 2010
Posted by
JLoTuesday, October 26, 2010
Posted by
JLoTuesday, October 26, 2010
Posted by
JLoTuesday, October 26, 2010
On Sunday, October 17, Life Rolls On hosted their 7th Annual Night By the Ocean fundraiser in Los Angeles. Here's a bit of a wrap up from ESPN on the event.
But for all the good LRO has done over the years, they still require money to keep all their various programs rolling, and that's where Billauer's (pictured) Night By The Ocean comes into play. A star-studded affair, there are live and silent auctions, and all proceeds go back into LRO. Plus, it's a chance to recognize some of the people that have made all of this possible. And this year it was Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors member the Honorable Mark Ridley-Thomas, Warrior Poet frontman Morgan Spurlock and surf industry magnate Bob Hurley that had praises heaped on their shoulders. The event is led by Honorary Co-Chairs Brooke Burns, Scott Caan, Jane Seymour and Robin Williams. (Picture compliments of ESPN).
Read more about Night By the Ocean.
More on Life Rolls On.
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Posted by
JLoFriday, October 22, 2010
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Reeve Foundation Ambassador Ruben Rios was attended the Southwest Conference on Disability in Albuquerque. He wrote the following about his experience at the conference.
My caregiver, Yolanda and I have been home now nearly a week from my second visit to Albuquerque, NM on Monday, the 4th of October. It was a 12 hour drive from L.A. and I was exhausted. I didn’t know how I’d ever survive the week.
Tuesday afternoon I participated in a meeting about the Reeve Foundation’s Paralysis Resource Center along with fellow ambassadors Eric Gibson and Cecilia Fred. At the meeting we spoke with agencies around the state of NM and talked about the free services the PRC has to offer. I also met and made a friendship with Fausto Rosero, the most beautiful man you could ever meet.
From there went to the Gala Reception where Joe Canose and I shared the original painting “Gotta Love Albuquerque” for the first time. (Pictured at right).The conference had asked me to paint this year’s official conference poster. The food was INCREDIBLE throughout the three day event, but I especially enjoyed the food at the Gala Reception!
Wednesday was the first day of the conference and I arrived at my booth in Artisan’s Showcase and set everything up. We hung paintings, set up video on my laptop and I began my “artist in residence” duties. It was nice painting and interacting with those who attended the conference. The people of Albuquerque are the most gracious hosts I’ve ever met, ANYWHERE.
Thursday morning, I set up my area to begin painting again. By this time I had a few posters, and signed one as a gift for one of the artists whom I met last year. Next thing I know, people are buying posters and lining up for signatures. It was AWESOME! I spent the whole morning and afternoon, again, signing posters. Later, that evening, Eric Gibson, his wife (Caroline), Jesse Hagy, Yolanda and I drove over for the “Balloon Glow”. Unfortunately, it was cancelled due to weather. (Excessive wind) But we had fun anyway. Great company.
Friday morning, we prepared for our departure. In the morning, we signed some more posters, took down our stuff and said our “so longs” to the beautiful people of the Reeve Foundation, and Albuquerque. All in all a great experience once again. Yolanda and I drove home, and couldn’t stop talking about all of the highlights of our trip. Thanks to everyone who made our stay so nice. The staff at the Doubletree Hotel bent over backwards to make the room just right for us. Priti, Joe, Tony, Daisy and everybody made us feel like family, again. Looking forward to next year!
Ruben
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Posted by
JLoFriday, October 22, 2010
Halloween is just nine days away! One of my favorite things about the holiday (aside from the Reese's candies I hope my mom buys for the trick-or-treaters every year) is the simple fact that you can put your creativity and imagination to good use.
If you or someone you know is a wheelchair user, take a look at our list of Halloween costumes for you and your chair. You won't be disappointed! There's something for everyone on the list from Cinderella to Artie from Glee!
The picture at right is of Reeve Foundation intern Amy measuring Liliana's wheelchair for her mobile-bed-of-flowers costume. The costume is super easy to make. Don't believe me? Watch the video of how to make it!
We'd love to see your costumes, share them.
Happy Halloween everyone!
Janelle
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Posted by
JLoFriday, October 22, 2010
Whether it's two legs or two wheels, this California pooch is full of energy and love.
Daphne the Chihuahua (pictured) does not seem to notice that she is not like other dogs. She runs with the other dogs, she plays in the grass, and she occasionally disobeys her owner. Daphne doesn’t seem to notice that she only walks with the help of a special wheelchair, she only plays where the grass is not too long to stop her wheels, and she relies on her owner for full time care. She is a happy dog, and for the first time in over a year she is able to wag her tail to show it.
Daphne was paralyzed in an accident in 2009. She was taken to the Turlock Animal Shelter with a broken back after part of a fence fell on her. She lost the ability to move her back legs and tail, and lost all bladder control. Brenda Southerland of HOPE Small Animal Rescue took in the paraplegic dog to care for her until a forever home could be found.
Read how Daphne is doing now.
Love dogs as much as I do? Read all about service dogs here.
Janelle
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Posted by
JLoFriday, October 22, 2010
I love ideas like this. We've all heard the phrase, "Try living a day in my shoes." I came across this blog of a student who had to do just that and navigate her campus in a wheelchair.
Everyone in my class has an assignment: spend one day that we are on campus in a wheelchair. Most days we are only in two buildings that are practically next to one another, so it hasn't been a big deal. Today I had to go to another part of campus to hear a presentation (from a motivational speaker who speaks about being in a wheelchair) and it was challenging. On my way over a classmate offered to push me and I was so grateful because the sidewalk was so uneven and sloped in all different directions. Walking on it I would never have noticed, but being in a wheelchair I felt everything.
When I got in to class I met the speaker at the door who must have known immediately that I was doing an assignment of being in a wheelchair for a day and he asked me about what I had experienced so far. I told him frankly I was terrified because I was not in control of the chair all the time and the one I was in had a tendency to slope to one side so I could never really steer straight. He assured me this is not typical and more so the crummy chair I was using. He had great insights on what it's like for someone to suddenly be healthy and then have a spinal cord injury that leaves you paralyzed. He talked on the wheelchair being a mobility aid and that he is not hindered by his disability, but rather the environment. I was so moved by his talk that I decided to wheel myself back to my classroom.
Read the rest of her experience.
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