This blog is aimed at spreading awareness about how people with high level paralysis can experience -- and are experiencing -- a better quality of life, primarily through the fun, social, and competitive aspects that participating in a sport can provide. Bowling and/or playing power soccer can improve life now -- but, longterm... we still need science, medicine, and the Good Lord's blessing (which I believe we have) to develop therapies that restore significant function and "cure" paralysis.
With the passing of Christopher Reeve in 2004, we lost the "face" and most ardent advocate for paralysis and spinal cord injury (SCI) research. Instead of just one person trying to fill his mammoth shoes, those of us in the paralysis community who wish to see a cure sooner rather than later, we all need to do our part to help bring truly beneficial therapies to fruition ASAP. That's the vision that led to the formation of Unite 2 Fight Paralysis (U2FP), a group with whom I'm proud to associate. U2FP, working with the Christopher Reeve Foundation, held the inaugural Working 2 Walk (W2W) Science and Advocacy Symposium in 2006 and another successful event in 2007.
The 3rd annual Working 2 Walk, 2008, is being held in Washington DC April 13-15 and is "... a 3-day event for leaders in the paralysis community who want to advocate for a cure, including family members, supporters, scientists, therapists, and anyone interested in joining this critical effort. The event focuses on education and empowerment to become effective advocates."
Really, anyone can help. If you have a SCI, and can go to Washington DC for the three days, please consider doing so (see links to more info below). Anyone else who is reading this can let their elected officials (the ones in Washington DC) know that you support passing the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (CDRPA), which will provide much-needed infrastructure for bringing about legitimate therapies AND help improve quality of life for people currently living with paralysis. It does NOT have anything to do with using "controversial" embryonic stem cells.
For more information, checkout the below links.
http://www.working2walk.org/
http://www.unite2fightparalysis.org/
THANKS -- and God bless!
Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 206 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
My blog: http://powerwheelchairusers.blogspot.com/
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com/
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net/
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Hi everyone!! My name is Betty, I form Peru and I am a disability person who use a wheelchair. My work its a little far from my house and i dont have a car, and dont have money to go there in taxi, so i go to work on my wheels. Well i need to someone who push my wheelchair to my job. it take us about 30 minutes. Really a need a power wheelchair, i need more independence, but i cant buy one because i dont have money, so i would like to know if there are someone who can donate me a used power wheelchair. Can you connect me with the people or institution that can donate us a used power wheelchair that no needed anymore? Here in my country there are a lot of people who need a power wheelchair like me, but we just can survive with our money, so a power wheelchair its like a far away dream for us. Please i hope you can help us, Regards Betty Sorry, my english is very bad. :(
Hi Betty,
Thank you for the message. If there is an organization that donates used power wheelchairs to countries with people in need, the people on the CareCure message boards will know. I can ask on your behalf, but it would probably be best if you asked. You can register for free, then post your question in the "equipment" forum. Here's the link:
http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3
E-mail me at MaxNWM@aol.com if you would like me to ask on CareCure for you.
- Bill :-)
Lomo, the third wheel that turned our manual wheelchair in a real chair SUV. Having used this type of accessory for quite a while I dare say that the accessory is more useful than anyone on the chairs should have, because it is a solution that allows us to go by land formerly a major obstacle for us (beach, field, etc.).
Electrolomo our chair that converts into a chair with all-terrain electric motor.
The Electrolomo, is a coupling composed of a tubular structure and a wheel with integrated engine that adapts to almost any wheelchair manually and through a simple system rises and cancels the troublesome front casters. What makes it a substitute for conventional electric wheelchair for many wheelchair users. The structure is made of steel and has an automatic lifting of the front wheels when coupled. The coupling system is through strong grip clamps. And to facilitate the manoeuvre has about mounting pedestals. The brakes are Electrolomo the rim and also has disc brake. As for the wheels, uses a free-wheeling 16 "no turning back. And lastly noted that the handlebar is foldable and adjustable height. It uses an engine bearing hub for discs with running free and the batteries are 12V/7Ah gel lead (with no memory effect). It has a marker level of charge.
One of the biggest advantages is that it is small and very manageable. In addition, the system coupling our chair does not require the installation of any supplement and is done in a very short time. This is extremely useful because it can make a long route with him and if for example we stopped at a restaurant to eat, in seconds uncoupling the Electrolomo and we can move our chair and get anywhere. To save time and transportation is also quite comfortable because the battery is removed by pressing just one button and then the structure is folded.
Regarding benefits, with a game battery has a range of 15 km, and for long routes he can connect on the sides reaching over two games to get a range of about 45 km. As an option you can install a simple basket very useful for carrying loads of up to 30 kg bags, purses, baskets of the supermarket, and so on. Depending on the engine can climb slopes of up to 16% (motor 9 km / h). It can reach speeds up to 9 mph (depending on authorization from the country up to 15 km / h) As you can see is a very interesting article that allows us to go smoothly for areas with uneven pavement, and most importantly, driving on field or even on the beach. It also enables lower curbs.
Here is the video, please check it out!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K63oJOr89UE
Post a Comment