Neuroplasticity

How families of children with disabilities can find support

Susana Ruiz sat in the doctor’s exam room in San Jose, unable to smile, open her right eye, or even take a sip of water. Susana Ruiz with her youngest son. Photo by Manuel Ruiz. By Claudia Boyd-Barrett, California Health Report … READ MORE

Biomedical engineering students create child-size wheelchairs

Even with a pediatric wheelchair, learning how to get around on wheels can be challenging for a child, especially one with cerebral palsy, spina bifida or a limb deficiency. Tulane biomedical engineering students, professors and … READ MORE

Three Wheelchair Users Announced as 2023 Winners of Neilsen Foundation’s $1 Million Visionary Prize

On Sept. 19, Craig H. Neilsen Foundation revealed the 2023 winners of its annual Visionary Prize, given to individuals who are working to make the world a better place for people living with spinal cord injuries. This year’s awards … READ MORE

First-of-its-kind hockey showcase brings together adaptive players from around Western Canada

A Calgary group has found a way to share our national sport with young athletes who may not always get the chance to play with their peers. This weekend was an opportunity for players like Ben Walker to play in a tournament and make … READ MORE

Marching in with great news!

Ready To Hit The Links? Registration is now open for single players and foursomes – click here to register. We urge you to take advantage of our Early Bird Registration pricing available until April 30th. We are also in the … READ MORE

I am not a wheelchair

When people refer to me as an inanimate object, I feel dismissed and dehumanized. Lisa Freeman speaks about why language and treatment of people in wheelchairs matters. Watch video Lisa Freeman, CBC Ottawa First Person January 23, … READ MORE

The Human Touch

From cradle to grave, touch brings us comfort, pleasure and sometimes pain, reminding us of our countless connections to the world and to humanity — including our own. pxfuel image By Meredith McGroarty, USC Dornsife Magazine … READ MORE

Principles of Ankle-Foot Orthosis Prescription in Ambulatory Bilateral Cerebral Palsy

Brittany, a patient at Shriners Hospital for Children—Chicago rides an adaptive bike with a recreation therapist. Shriners Hospital for Children, Chicago photo. Abstract Maintenance of upright posture and gait mobility is frequently … READ MORE

Why people with Down syndrome are living longer than ever

New photo project celebrates doubling of life expectancy since 1980. Adam Bauld looks at Hilary Gauld’s photos of Brigette, a 75-year-old woman with Down syndrome. CBC Jon Tattrie, CBC News Nova Scotia September 4, 2023 People … READ MORE

She crips the arts to pave the way for new perspectives and possibilities

Dr. Eliza Chandler on her experience as the first PWD artistic director of Tangled Art + Disability. Dr. Eliza Chandler is an associate professor at Toronto Metropolitan University and the first artistic director of Tangled Art + … READ MORE

Major Canadian cities lacking in accessibility for people with disabilities, says study

Study says 60% of public spaces in Calgary, Vancouver and Ottawa not fully accessible. A report from the ‘Mapping our Cities for All’ project, led by the University of Calgary, suggests nearly 60 per cent of public spaces … READ MORE

A pose-mapping technique could remotely evaluate patients with cerebral palsy

The machine-learning method works on most mobile devices and could be expanded to assess other motor disorders outside of the doctor’s office. MIT engineers developed a machine-learning system that remotely analyzes videos of people … READ MORE

B.C. man in wheelchair says he was dropped, injured by Air Canada crew in Vancouver

B.C. man in wheelchair says he was dropped, injured by Air Canada crew in Vancouver. Ryan Lachance, who lives with quad spastic cerebral palsy, is pictured with his care aid Emma Proulx at his apartment in White Rock, B.C., about 50 … READ MORE

Canada’s chief accessibility officer ‘furious’ after Air Canada forgets her wheelchair

Stephanie Cadieux says ‘airlines have to take responsibility and they have to do better’ Stephanie Cadieux is Canada’s first chief accessibility officer. Submitted by Office of the Chief Accessibility Officer/Maria … READ MORE

Robotic cup helps wheelchair users stay hydrated

Rice engineering students design device for people living with cerebral palsy. Rafe Neathery (left) and Thomas Kutcher designed a robotic device that enables people with limited mobility to stay hydrated without caretaker help. Photo … READ MORE

From ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’: Stewartville wheelchair camp fosters community, confidence

“If you come and watch and participate, you will witness some of the greatest triumphs of the human spirit,” National Wheelchair Sports Camp founder Bob Bardwell said. Wheelers engage with musician Tony Melendez during National … READ MORE

People with Down syndrome are living longer, but the health system still treats many as kids

Marilyn Lesmeister sits with her daughter Samantha “Sammee” Lesmeister after Sammee’s horse riding lesson in Cole Camp, Missouri. Sammee Lesmeister is one of a growing number of adults living with Down syndrome. More than … READ MORE

14-year-old Hailey King is turning heads on Canada’s women’s Para hockey team

Calgary teen will compete against world’s best at Women’s World Challenge this week. At 14 years old, Hailey King is the youngest member of Canada’s women’s Para hockey team. She’ll compete at the … READ MORE

Taking vitamin D could help prevent dementia, study finds

University of Calgary launches national research project to discover more insights to protect the brain while we age. Dr. Zahinoor Ismail is a neuropsychiatrist and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University … READ MORE

Paralyzed Humboldt Bronco looks to make buildings more accessible

Ryan Straschnitzki, 23, has spent last 5 years using a wheelchair. Former Humboldt Bronco hockey player Ryan Straschnitzki, who was injured in a team bus crash, practices with PX3 AMP hockey team in Calgary in 2019. Todd Korol, The … READ MORE

Why are these scientists teaching seniors how to fall?

Rather than focus on avoiding tumbles, researchers at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute are using high-tech, hands-on trials to teach how to fall. Cathrin Bradbury walks on sensor plates in the reactive balance training room at the … READ MORE

New strategies needed to support parents of children with severe CP, study finds

Healthcare professionals should develop new strategies for helping to fulfill the now unmet needs of parents whose children have severe cerebral palsy, beginning with improving education about the disease and aiding them in getting … READ MORE

Canada’s Smeenk, Gingras, Papaconstantinou race to Para athletics worlds medals

Fellow Canadian Anthony Bouchard to compete in finals later Thursday. Canada’s Austin Smeenk, seen earlier at the Para athletics world championships, won silver in the men’s T34 100-metre wheelchair race on Thursday in … READ MORE

Adaptability Store – Special needs products

AdaptAbility provides children, adults and caregivers of people with diverse & special needs, the very finest of products available. AdaptAbility Photo, May 2023 AdaptAbility is a trusted member of the special needs community in … READ MORE

The future is disabled

We need to take steps toward a more inclusive future—one that we all can inhabit. I can’t buy it if I can’t reach it: The importance of access to Canadian consumers. Rick Hansen Foundation By Ashley Shew, MIT Technology Review … READ MORE

Bedside prognostic tool identifies infants at risk for Cerebral palsy

This case-control study evaluates a cerebral palsy prognostic tool that can be applied to all term neonates to identify those at increased risk of developing cerebral palsy. A newborn baby. Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik by Jennifer … READ MORE

AFO wear time affects activity level in children with CP

A research study comparing the body functions and structures, activity and participation levels, and environmental factors to AFO-wearing time in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) found that prolonged AFO-wearing time was … READ MORE

Her daughter couldn’t access the park in a wheelchair, so a Québec mom proposed a solution

Park Gorge now offers 3 special wheelchairs for people with reduced mobility. Nathalie Thibeault, far left, and her daughter Andrée-Ann Madore, seated in the wheelchair, toured the Gorge Park in Coaticook Que. with park staff. … READ MORE

Soft robotic wearable restores arm function for people with ALS

Proof-of-concept device is comfortable, safe, easy to use. This soft robotic wearable is capable of significantly assisting upper arm and shoulder movement in people with ALS. Photo credit: Walsh Lab, Harvard SEAS By Kat J. McAlpine, … READ MORE

Unsinkable: A sailing program that teaches you the ropes

If you’re looking to get outside and try a new sport, you might want to take a closer look at sailing—an activity that’s recognized for developing self-sufficiency, self-confidence and social connections. Abilities Magazine … READ MORE

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