Neuroplasticity

Pink custom trike a dream come true for 12-year-old Syrian refugee with cerebral palsy

Elham Albakar and her family came to Canada in 2015 after fleeing conflict in Aleppo. Elham was presented with the bike by the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, Freedom Concepts and the Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams … READ MORE

Stroke patients improve their gait with new shoe attachment, early study shows

A therapeutic shoe engineered to improve stroke recovery is proving successful and expected to hit the market by the end of the year. Clinical trials have been completed on the U.S. patented and licensed iStride Device, formerly the … READ MORE

MS liberation therapy fails the test

Canada has the highest rate of multiple sclerosis in the world. In 2009, Italian physician Paolo Zamboni published an explosive paper about a new treatment for MS, which became known as MS “liberation therapy.” For the … READ MORE

Children with special needs get their own, special Santa time

“I’d drive 1,000 miles for an experience like this.” Harrison Markin, 6 yrs, experiences a giant snow globe and visits Santa and Mrs Claus at Southcentre Mall in southwest Calgary on Sunday, December 3, 2017. The mall hosted a … READ MORE

Reluctant reliability: a glimpse into cerebral palsy

Erin Kelly, a writer with cerebral palsy, reflects on the mental aspects of an ordinary morning. I woke to the sight of a dull-orange sun bleeding through my bedroom window. I stirred under my covers for a moment before I noticed an … READ MORE

Botox treatment observed less effective for children with CP

More than one injection of botulinum toxin A in children with cerebral palsy (CP) was seen as less effective over the long term and had fewer gait benefits compared to patients injected once or not at all, according to a new … READ MORE

Video game system helps physical therapists, athletic trainers

Motion-based lab technology can help physical therapists, clinicians and athletic trainers analyze how we move—it also is very expensive. Some motion labs can cost upward of $100,000. Now, a team of University of Missouri … READ MORE

Researchers call on province to fund genetic testing for cerebral palsy

New study shows genetic variations are a factor in 20 per cent of hemiplegic CP cases. What was thought to be an almost entirely environmental disorder has a significant genetic component. – Stephen Scherer, Hospital for Sick … READ MORE

Syrian woman with cerebral palsy gives back to Calgary community that supported her dreams

A woman living with cerebral palsy made the bold decision to move halfway across the world despite her disability. In Part 1 of Ready, Willing, and Abled, Tracy Nagai looks at how it transformed her life. Global News By Tracy Nagai, … READ MORE

Calgary’s Morgan Bird determined to be a voice for Paralympic movement in Canada

“She found her niche, right. What she was called to.” Calgary swimmer Morgan Bird has been to two Paralympic games and currently has her name on nine Canadian records. Excelling in the pool is still her passion, but as Brendan … READ MORE

Video game improves balance in youth with autism

Playing a video game that rewards participants for holding various “ninja” poses could help children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improve their balance, according to a recent study in the Journal of Autism and … READ MORE

IPC Para-Nordic World Cup 2017 in Canmore

The Alberta World Cup Society is excited and proud to announce that Canmore will host the International Paralympic Committee Para-Nordic World Cup on December 7-18, 2017. With over 100 of the world’s best para-athletes, this … READ MORE

Study finds children with cerebral palsy not receiving common spasticity therapy

Among children with cerebral palsy, 42% have not received any common spasticity management therapies, including orthotics, casting or orthopedic surgery, according to a press release from Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Inquiry into … READ MORE

New Edmonton equine centre eases waiting list for popular riding therapy program

The new Whitemud Equine Learning Centre officially opened in October. Indoor washrooms, a roof that doesn’t leak and above-freezing temperatures allows for year-round riding. Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Association. Programs for … READ MORE

Class of 2017: Neuroscience grad hopes his fascination with the brain leads to better treatments

‘It would be a disservice not to try and help whoever you can, in whatever way you can. Will Wilson is a neuroscience grad student working on epilepsy research. He also does a ton of community work and has won multiple scholarships … READ MORE

Grip aid for daily living with special needs

At last, a simple hygienic way for people with hand problems to hold eating utensils, cups, writing implements, sports equipment, and toys. Adelynn Zeuner holds a fork to eat peaches with the aid of an EazyHold band developed by a … READ MORE

Sensor-equipped glove takes the guesswork out of measuring spasticity

Everyone experiences stiff muscles from time to time, whether after a rigorous workout, in cold weather, or after falling asleep in an unusual position. People with cerebral palsy, stroke and multiple sclerosis, however, live with … READ MORE

Music therapy for children with autism has positive outcome

It might not surprise that good relationships create good outcomes, as meaningful relational experiences are crucial to all of us in our everyday life. However, the development of a relationship with a child with autism may be … READ MORE

Can you design a home to foster good health? These students are trying

Associate professor Dak Kopec with eyewear that simulates a visual disorder, as he leads a discussion during his class Built Environment and Human Health at University of Nevada Las Vegas, Tuesday Oct 3, 2017. Bridget Bennett for … READ MORE

Pup dives in for special-needs kids

Cori, a 1-year-old retriever mix training in water rescue, takes part in a special-needs swim lesson in Escondido. With her, clockwise from left, are Logan Powell, 6, dog handler Deb Parker, Caiden Shawver, 3, swim instructor Jodi … READ MORE

Patients with MS can now self-monitor online

PARIS — The ability of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to monitor their own disease with use of web-based algorithms incorporating various patient outcome measures is becoming a reality. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease … READ MORE

Fine-tuning orthotic device prescription and fitting in CP

Half of those diagnosed with cerebral palsy have been prescribed standard AFOs to aid in walking, according to United Cerebral Palsy and the CDC. A patient with CP at Shriners Hospital for Children—Chicago wearing his customized … READ MORE

Buildathon volunteers assemble devices for Calgarians with disabilities

For many Canadians with disabilities, it’s the little things that make day-to-day living a bit harder. Federal Disabilities Minister Kent Hehr gets a demonstration of the LipSync, a device that allows users to control computers … READ MORE

A country for all children to thrive

As Canadians, we pride ourselves on our commitment to inclusion and diversity. Yet, when it comes to disabilities, this pride doesn’t match reality. Put simply – rather than inclusion, the every day experience of many … READ MORE

Auckland vibration therapy trial offers hope to sufferers

A vibration-based therapy trial in Auckland could help young people with cerebral palsy. Aucklander Luke Torrens Kelly, 14, was one of 40 people with cerebral palsy, aged 11 to 20, in a new trial that showed vibration therapy … READ MORE

Student with cerebral palsy uses iPad to communicate

There’s an app for just about everything now. From social media to games, it’s changed the way we communicate. And that couldn’t be truer for this week’s Kylies Kid. Joe has many friends at his middle school, a busy social … READ MORE

Living in a greener neighbourhood could lower your risk of death

Not just parks but also streetside trees and lawns could have health benefits, study suggests. In Japan, they call it shinrin-yoku – literally, “forest bathing.” Here, we might just call it a walk in the park. Either … READ MORE

Wheelchair dance company asks, Where’s the disability?

At the Disability Rights Legal Center fundraiser gala this past weekend in Los Angeles, Apple was presented with DRLC’s Business and Technology Award for their accessibility work, and Infinite Flow – A Wheelchair Dance … READ MORE

Alberta athlete shooting for podium at 2018 Winter Paralympics

‘He’s a good athlete, very focused, very determined,’ and he’s a contender. Derek Zaplotinsky is competing in paralympic cross-country skiing and biathlon. John Robertson CBC News By Adrienne Lamb, John … READ MORE

A safe space for kids with special needs: Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics

Finding fun outside of the home can be difficult for children with special needs and their families. Thankfully, Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics gives kids with special needs and disabilities the perfect place to learn and play. The … READ MORE

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