Understanding the importance of biomarkers in SCI
Here’s a great scientific article from the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis (http://www.themiamiproject.org/page.aspx?pid=464&srctid=1&erid=2926337&trid=9bfe7676-8af4-4818-9d4f-153699715774) PREDICTING INJURY SEVERITY AND TAILORING CLINICAL MANAGEMENT - THE REALM OF BIOMARKERS One of the great advances in modern medicine has been the development of biomarkers for specific human diseases. In medicine, a biomarker is typically a protein that can be measured from [...]
The new International Symbol of Accessibility
Thanks to my aunt who passsed this article on to me about New York adapting the new international accessibility symbol. I often wondered who designed the current symbol which is so unlively, depicting someone asleep in their chair (so it seemed to me). I had no idea the originial symbol was being redesigned. All I [...]
Price Discrepancy for Accessible Seats on Amtrak
Recently having traveled on Amtrak , I discovered a discrepancy in fares for “accessible” seats. Here is the letter I wrote to Amtrak and the much appreciated response below that. 4/14/2013 As a wheelchair-user who travels with a personal wheelchair and transfers to a seat, I am utterly mind boggled at the difference in pricing [...]
Paratransit in Atlanta, Philly, and Baltimore
Paratransit is a great way for persons with disabilities to get around town either independently if they are unable to utilize public trains and buses or with their care taker. Living in DC and utilizing paratransit – Metro Access (MA)- particularly when I was first injured, I had no idea anyone eligible to use paratransit [...]
Webinar: Disability Air Travel & the TSA- What You Need to Know
A few weeks ago I attended another excellent webinar sponsored by the National SCI Association titled, Disability Air Travel & the TSA: What You Need to Know. As many know, I travel by air a lot and after my injury when I was first preparing to fly again, wheelchair included, I was really apprehensive about [...]
Paratriathlon Clinic
One of my many aspirations is to compete in a triathlon and hey, that might spark a new hobby! This past weekend I participated in a paratriathlon clinic in Baltimore to get a feel for everything involved in doing a triathlon as a para-athlete. The day went like this: pushrim, handcycle, lunch, competition day prep [...]
NRH How-to-videos Complete
The how to video project has been completed through NRH’S Rehab Research and Training Center and they have been posted to the Spinal Cord Injury Channel on YouTube! You may recall the ski videos myself and my little brother from NRH did a year ago (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHOFfgATIlY ) and these two videos are a continuation of [...]
Interesting Interactions
Recently visiting the great city of Philadelphia, I encountered some very interesting interactions with people; all of these interactions over a two day period. I was in Philly to attend a swim meet at my alma mater, Ursinus College. Although the journey started a little rough with me missing my 6:00am train, it was a [...]
Reflection on First Season of Push Girls
In the summer of last year Push Girls aired on the Sundance Channel. This new reality show featured five dynamic women wheelchair-users who all have spinal cord injuries like me. While the cause and location of our SCIs differ, the determination we all exhibit to live life as before our injuries is the same. What [...]
MIAMI PROJECT TO CURE PARALYSIS DOCTORS PERFORM FIRST SCHWANN CELL TRANSPLANT FOR SPINAL CORD INJURY
So exciting! You may remember the announcement in July 2012 regarding the approval of the first clinical trial using Schwann Cell transplant for Spinal Cord Injury. This past week the Miami Project announced work has begun… January 23, 2013 – Doctors at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami [...]
