No two success stories are alike -- except for one thing. Most of the individuals living with paralysis and spinal cord injuries that I have spoken to have said that walking isn't always the first thing they want back.

Do you agree?

The Reeve Foundation wants to know: As a person living with paralysis, what one function would you most like to regain?

We have set up an easy poll with 11 choices from you to chose from -- everything from bowel and bladder functions to spasticity and sexual functions.

So let us know!

Take the poll now!

Janelle


           Join our community.

New from the Spinal Cord Injury Research blog:

A study was published this week showing that significant functional recovery can occur months to years after incomplete spinal cord injury with rehabilitation that involves intensive activity-based therapy.

To many that may not sound like news … haven’t we heard this before? Well, yes, it is fairly well-known that Locomotor (treadmill) Training benefits so-called ASIA C and D patients – that means they have some sensory and some motor function below the level of their spinal cord injury. What gives this currency now, though, is that it has been published in the medical literature and comes from a large study – 192 patients – in a tightly controlled and standardized program.

This new study is titled “Balance and Ambulation Improvements in Individuals With Chronic Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury Using Locomotor Training–Based Rehabilitation.”

It originates from the NeuroRecovery Network (NRN), a collaboration of seven specialized centers that offer activity-based rehabilitation in the clinical environment. The NRN, formed by the Reeve Foundation, is a partnership of basic scientists, clinical scientists, clinicians, and administrators. The basic idea: evaluate the effect of locomotor training and other evidence-based rehabilitative interventions in clinical environments.

Learn more.

Read more posts from the Spinal Cord Injury Research blog.

           Join our community.

We know that 16% spinal cord injuries occur from sporting and recreational accidents. The Asbury Park Press in New Jersey reports of increased injuries and safety concerns. (Photo: Robert Ward, APP photographer)

There is a growing national concern among surfers and recreational users that dangerous waves are increasing, and that the increase is rooted in efforts to maintain large beaches. That beach replenishment has so altered the underwater terrain, it causes violent waves that regularly make it more risky to swim and play in the surf.

Along the Jersey Shore, local surfing advocates have long questioned the impact of beach replenishment, as does the national Surfrider Foundation. After Cape May beaches were replenished, 17 spinal cord injuries were reported, prompting the city to mount a public awareness campaign in summer 2008.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to investigate whether its Cape May beach fill project was a factor in those injuries. But today, the Army Corps continues to reject the idea that replenished beaches are less safe for surfing.

“Injuries, they happen. Anytime you’re running from deep into shallow water you risk damage to yourself and your board,” said Marko Grasso, owner of Wave Hog Surf Shop in Ship Bottom and Brant Beach, whose customers surf the replenished beaches at Harvey Cedars and Surf City.

Read the rest.

Get more SCI and paralysis statistics.

           Join our community.

US District Court Judge Royce Lamberth moved the research community forward today by ruling that NIH guidelines for the funding of embryonic stem cell research do not violate federal law. This ruling is an important step for advancing the field of biomedical research, and also serves as a testament to the important work that advocates have done over the past decade, thanks especially to those living with spinal cord injury and paralysis.

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is excited to share this victory with all those in our community, and we look forward to working with you as we continue to advance all fields of promising research.

Read more about it.

We all know the dangers of the summer months and too much heat. With a big old heat wave sweeping the country, it is important we remember how to keep cool and safe in the heat.

Take a look at these tips from Cristina Sadowsky, M.D., physician at Kennedy Krieger and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. She provided some health that apply to people in wheelchairs (and others) when in hot temperatures. Here are just a few of the sensible tips to keep in mind:

1. Keep hydrated: What you sweat out, you have to replenish!

2. Wear a hat and appropriate layering: Wear a hat that is of a lighter color to deflect radiation, and that is made of breathable material as to not retain heat or humidity. (Scott Chesney, pcitured at right, was sure to wear a hat while vacationing.)

3. Use sunscreen... ALWAYS!: Use at least SPF 15. Make sure the sunscreen has UVA and UVB protection; as both reduce the risk of skin cancer/melanoma.

To see the full list and explanations, click here.

KEEP COOL EVERYONE!

Janelle



           Join our community.

Last Thursday night, despite the heat and humidity, Reeve Foundation supporters came out to Tenjune for Reeve Rocks, co-hosted by our Champions Committee and friends at MANHATTAN/Modern Luxury.

The evening featured performances by Mercury recording artist Parachute, and Reeve Foundation Ambassador, Jesse Ruben (pictured). (Jesse is turning 25 this Wednesday and has a very special birthday wish).

With fabulous raffle prizes from friends such as Cipriani, Clark’s Botanicals, and Stella & Dot and beverages provided by Tequila Avion and Heineken, a good time was inevitably had by all. More importantly the Champions Committee continued to raise funds for the Reeve Foundation.

Want to get involved with our Champions Committee? Fill out our Volunteer Interest form here!

Rebecca Wasserman
Manager, Donor and Volunteer Relations

           Join our community.

After an initial testing phase, Royal Cab and Yellow Cab of D.C. are providing accessible taxi service in D.C. with professionally trained drivers. Each company has 10 Toyota Sienna mini-vans equipped with ramps. If you cannot use a standard sedan taxi and need a taxi in D.C., this service is for you! Contact the companies directly using the phone numbers below to request a trip. You can reserve your trip up to a week in advance.

Royal Taxi:
202-398-0500
(To Be Launched February 2011)

Yellow Paratransit:
202-544-1213

For more information and helpful hints before requesting a trip, see the FAQ's and the User's Guide.

More details about the wheelchair accessible cabs and the service can be found here.

           Join our community.

As many in the paralysis community around the country may have heard, recently on July 4th weekend, the Berry Family of Houston, Texas was involved in tragic car accident coming home from a family vacation. The parents, Robin and Josh passed away, the two oldest children, Peter, age nine, and Aaron, age eight, experienced spinal cord injuries, and the youngest, Willa, age six, broke an ankle and leg.

To say that these children's lives have been forever impacted is a severe understatement.

Today, the Show Your Hearts organization is conducting an online campaign to raise awareness and support for the children as they adjust to their new lives.

For more information, go to ShowYourHearts.org.

           Join our community.

New in the PRC Library…

Campy: The Two Lives of Roy Campanella by Neil Lanctot. Simon and Schuster, 2010.

In this book, historian Neil Lanctot, gives his readers a well researched, comprehensive biography of the two lives of Dodger great, Roy Campanella. ‘Campy’ was the first African-American catcher in the twentieth century in the major leagues. The author reveals that Campanella, and not Jackie Robinson, may well have been the first player to integrate baseball. Campanella was at the top of his game in the late 1940s and 1950s when the Dodgers consistently contended for pennants. However, his life changed dramatically on a rainy January night in 1958 when his car hit a utility pole and he was paralyzed below the neck. Lanctot gives us insight about how Campanella’s complicated personal life may have played a role in the accident. He goes on to give his readers a very detailed look at a courageous man whose second life after baseball would prove to be just as remarkable as his first.

A copy of this book can be checked out from the Paralysis Resource Center’s library. Please see the online catalog and borrowing instructions there.

by Diane Bligh
Reeve Foundation volunteer

On Friday, Reeve Foundation Ambassador Daniel Hernandez visited our Short Hills, NJ office. Daniel, professional soccer star and captain of FC Dallas, couldn't be a better fit for our Ambassador program.

Having a personal connection to spinal cord injuries because of his brother Nico, who is living with a spinal cord injury from a 1998 auto accident, Daniel is genuine and passionate about spreading the Reeve Foundation's two-fold mission of Today's Care. Tomorrow's Cure.

Not only did Daniel want to learn the ins and outs of the Reeve Foundation more, but proudly waltzed around the office in a Team Reeve shirt! (Wait, sorry, Daniel isn't a dancer, he's a soccer star. Maybe I shouldn't say waltz!)

After having a tour of the office and being greeted by staff, Daniel spoke a few words about how honored he is to be part of the Foundation.

"...11 years later I finally got the opportunity to work with the Reeve Foundation. It was an amazing opportunity to find something dear to my heart and something my brother would be proud of, that he wants me to be involved with. I know different people with paralysis adjust to situations in different times. We didnt talk about it, but 11 years later the opportunity came to me. I spoke to him about it, and he was on board. Obviously, a great Foundation, something world known, like Reeve Foundation was something very special to me. I'm very proud to be part of it and here to help out any way I can."

On Saturday, Daniel and FC Dallas took on the New York Red Bulls, tieing 2-2. Daniel is pictured at left with Reeve Foundation President and CEO, Peter Wilderotter.

Thank you Daniel and to all our Ambassdors for spreading awareness of the Reeve Foundation!

GOALLLLL !!!

Janelle



           Join our community.

We announced the recipients of the Reeve Foundation's 1st cycle 2011 Quality of Life grantees on Thursday.

This cycle, 77 nonprofit organizations were awarded grants totally more than $508,000. Since its inception in 1999, the Quality of Life Grants Program has awarded over 1,910 organizations totaling nearly $14.8 million.

Some examples of recipients include:

The Greater New Orleans Miracle League of New Orleans, Louisiana received a grant to support the Miracle Field, a custom-designed sports field to be used for baseball and soccer that accommodates wheelchairs and other walking-assistance devices so children living with disabilities can hit, run, catch, and kick. The vision of the program is to provide any child, regardless of their level of disability, the opportunity to play league sports and enjoy the emotional and physical benefits of being part of a team sport.

Also, The Children’s Center of Bethany, Oklahoma was awarded a grant to support ATV Ride Safe Oklahoma, an initiative aimed to decrease the incidence of injuries and fatalities from All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) use, to increase the awareness of ATV safety guidelines and to provide ATV safety courses for youth riders.

CONGRATUALTIONS to all recipients! To learn more about the Quality of Life Grants Program, click here.

Janelle

           Join our community.

This came to us from our friends at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia, PA in conjunction with the Kessler Foundation:

In 2010, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital received a grant from the Kessler Foundation to create a series of short videos that will show how wheelchair users can go about their daily routines and live life to the fullest.

The videos have been created.

On June 20, Magee released videos on their website and YouTube page called “A Day In The Life” which star former Magee patient Frankie LaMacchia showing and explaining how he overcomes obstacles and uses available services to get around, get through chores... and have fun.

Each video runs about 15 minutes and covers: Home Mobility: dressing, home management, bathing and personal hygiene, Kitchen Mobility: how to store groceries, kitchen safety from a wheelchair level, meal planning and preparation and actual cooking skills, Community Mobility: running errands, grocery shopping, using a taxi cab, using SEPTA public transportation, going out with friends and social engagement, Fitness/gym Mobility: appropriate exercises that are beneficial to wheelchair users, and proper body mechanics.

The "A Day In The Life" videos were the brainchild of Magee recreational Therapist Anna Martin who was instrumental in their production.

By making the videos available free-of-charge through social media and their website, Magee is hoping the instruction provided in the videos, as well as the self-sufficiency theme, will help wheelchair users everywhere live the full, well-rounded lives they strive for.

The videos were produced by local video production company FlatWorld Media Productions. Locations around Philadelphia that generously allowed filming include The City of Philadelphia, SEPTA, Acme Supermarkets, The Sporting Club at the Bellevue, Diesel clothing, and El Vez.

Kerry R. O'Connor
Director, Public Relations
Magee Rehabilitation Hospital

           Join our community.

Lifeguards are out in full force during the summertime so it is time to honor them. Join AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (New Jersey) this Thursday (July 28) at 6:30 pm for the 2nd Annual Lifeguards SAVE event at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield.

This is "an attitude and gratitude event recognizing the region's lifeguards" with dinner, drinks, and speakers. The event is FREE and open to all ifeguards and those who do water rescue.

To register to attend, go to AtlantiCare.org or call 1-888-569.1000.

More information here.



           Join our community.

Hello everyone!

So a little while ago I wrote Janelle telling her I had this awesome experience bungee jumping and told her she should write a story about it. A story about this place where you can jump off a bridge in a wheelchair, well more like thrown off, but I don’t want the story about me. As you can tell that really worked out for me as now I’m writing about my experience haha. Thanks Janelle!

- Brad Burns

Here's a little of what Brad wrote:

Well I suppose I should tell you why I decided to fly across the country, then leave the country, all so someone could harness me up and throw me off a 160 foot bridge. Three years ago I woke up after being in a car accident. After they told me I had a c-5 burst fracture, broke all the ribs on my right side, fractured pelvis, lacerated lungs, and that maybe in six months I could breathe on my own again it gets you thinking.

Of course I have lots of physical goals, and I have been so fortunate to meet all of them so far. With amazing support from my family and help from amazing therapists I've been able to regain my independence and walk with a walker. I even walked a 5k in Louisville for Team Reeve which was an amazing feeling to accomplish that. (Really proud of that one had to throw that in there. Don't tell anyone I was sore for two weeks after haha.) But this has nothing to do with walking, but living a life without limitations.

Anyone with a SCI realizes pretty quickly it's not just the physical aspect that's hard to deal with but the mental aspects as well. I always wanted to travel, see the world and experience different cultures and places.

Yea, you are going to want to read the rest!

Thanks Brad for showing life has no limits!

Get to know Brad.

Janelle

           Join our community.

Tune into ABC's 20/20 on Friday, July 21 for their "Superhumans" segment highlighting the story of Chris Waddell. Chris is living with paraplegia and took on Mount Kilimanjaro while changing the lives of American children.

In the show, Chris talks about his climb and his upcoming ten-week national tour of of his education program, Nametags, and award-winning documentary, One Revolution.

This spring One Revolution was featured in a number of film festivals and we were honored to win several awards. The film, directed by Amanda Stoddard, beautifully captures Chris’s very human journey to dare greatly and ultimately to live fully.

So far, Chris has spoken to more than 45,000 students through Nametags, and he is planning to reach thousands more in the upcoming tour. Nametags is not just about disability, it is about resilience and community. Chris encourages kids to do great things.

Brandon Gell, one of the students that Chris reached with his Nametags educational program, climbed Mt Kilimanjaro in support of One Revolution. Brandon said, “Chris made me look at my life and my perceived challenges. He inspired me to be better every day.” Along with his father and sister, Brandon climbed the mountain with the goal or raising one dollar for every foot of the 19,340-foot mountain. He exceeded his goal, raising over $20,000 to help One Revolution reach others.

Learn about One Revolution.

           Join our community.