Spinal cord injury SCI

Exercise that works for wheelchair users

Exercise is essential to preventing cardiovascular disease and living with a healthy heart, but finding exercise protocols and equipment that meet recommended criteria and work for wheelchair users can be very difficult. Paul Hopkins … READ MORE

Brain implants and wearables let paralyzed people move again

A “neural bypass” routes signals around the damaged spinal cord, potentially restoring both movement and sensation. Motion Restored: Luke Tynan, who was paralyzed in 2017 by a spinal cord injury, demonstrates the wearable system … READ MORE

Cionic unveils bionic clothing to assist patients with walking difficulties

For those with walking difficulties arising from neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and cerebral palsy — augmenting mobility in a manner that seamlessly blends with the human body has always been … READ MORE

Mobility is the most important measure of health

Cionic Neural Sleeve promises groundbreaking and innovative healthcare product for people who live with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke recovery, spinal cord injuries, or other neuromuscular diagnoses. CIONIC CIONIC Blog … READ MORE

New to a wheelchair, BC man learns life skills from support group as the camera rolls

Story of Dan McLean and members of Accessible Okanagan told in Re-inventing the Wheel. Dan McLean, centre in black T-shirt, with Accessible Okanagan members behind him and friends. McLean is one of the wheelchair users cast in the … READ MORE

New treatment to regain hand and arm function after spinal cord injury

Using physical therapy combined with a noninvasive method of stimulating nerve cells in the spinal cord, University of Washington researchers helped six Seattle area participants regain some hand and arm mobility. That increased … READ MORE

You forget how tall you are: Paralyzed Humboldt Bronco able to stand during physio

Ryan Straschnitzki had epidural stimulator implanted in his spine in Thailand two years ago. Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki, centre, is helped to stand in a walker by Eric Daigle, left, and Jill Mack, centre … READ MORE

The barriers, both physical and social, I face as a parent living with a disability

If it wasn’t for my stubbornness, my son and I would be left behind. Marjorie and her son, Thomas, are seen swimming together when he was five years old. When he was a toddler learning how to swim, Marjorie needed some extra … READ MORE

Calgary woman, who’s paralyzed, kayaks whitewater rapids on Lower Kananaskis River

‘I’m sitting on the shoulders of giants right now, it’s so awesome,’ says Andrea Wojcik. Andrea Wojcik, who is paralyzed from the chest down, uses a modified kayak to paddle down the Lower Kananaskis River. Connie … READ MORE

Slow-Wheeling to the Sea

“People will look,” warned Minna Caroline Smith in Lapham’s Quarterly about her pioneering tricycling touring of the coastal North Shore in eastern Massachusetts. It wasn’t just that the self-powered adult tricycles were … READ MORE

Zen and the art of adaptive surfing

Catching a wave creates a visceral connection with ocean and energy. As your board accelerates, time slows and you enter a Zen state of “here and now.” By ride’s end, your brain is flooded with endorphins. Whether it’s your … READ MORE

A blessing: Paralyzed Humboldt Bronco finds way back on the ice during COVID-19

Ryan Straschnitzki has been spending time playing sledge hockey on a pond behind his family’s home in Airdrie. Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki plays pond hockey with his family near his home in Airdrie, … READ MORE

Robotic neck brace dramatically improves functions of ALS patients

Comfortable brace incorporates both sensors and actuators to restore roughly 70% of the active range of motion. A study participant wearing the neck brace. Photo and Video credit: Haohan Zhang and Sunil K. Agrawal, Columbia … READ MORE

The rig lets disabled people go offroading

The Rig is constructed with an aluminum frame, detachable bumper, and four inch off road bike tires. We designed this fully electric, ‘off road wheelchair’ to be as easy to maintain and repair as possible. It’s made mostly with … READ MORE

Alberta Wheel Girls: Support group helps connect women in wheelchairs

The support group started in April as a way to connect women in wheelchairs. Emma Read started an Instagram page to share her experiences living with a wheelchair. Submitted by Emma Read Jamie Malbeuf, CBC News Edmonton August 12, … READ MORE

New wearable sensor for people with incomplete paraplegia

A new electromyography biofeedback device that is wearable and connects to novel smartphone games may offer people with incomplete paraplegia a more affordable, self-controllable therapy to enhance their recovery, according to a new … READ MORE

Re-engineered enzyme could help reverse damage from spinal cord injury and stroke

A team of researchers from U of T Engineering and the University of Michigan has redesigned and enhanced a natural enzyme that shows promise in promoting the regrowth of nerve tissue following injury. Fig. 1 Computational modeling of … READ MORE

Physiatrists offer non-surgical approach to treating muscle, joint, other conditions that impede function

Dr. Julio A. Martinez-Silvestrini is medical director of Baystate Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation that has a number of locations in the western Massachusetts area. The physiatrist, shown here at Baystate Health and Wellness … READ MORE

What a role model: Paralyzed Bronco makes Adidas ad, hall of fame nominee list

“As a kid I always dreamed of playing for Team Canada… and I still do,” Straschnitzki narrates in the commercial. “You know, when one door closes, another one opens.” Ryan Straschnitzki. The Canadian … READ MORE

‘It’s a grind’: Paralyzed Humboldt Broncos goaltender seeing slow progress

Jacob Wassermann seriously injured in bus crash that killed 16 people. Humboldt Broncos hockey player Jacob Wassermann, left, and teammate Ryan Straschnitzki compare sticks during a sled hockey scrimmage at the Edge Ice Arena in … READ MORE

Spinal stimulation enables three people with paraplegia to walk again

Combined with other recent studies, new evidence points to electrical stimulation as a promising treatment for paralysis. David, 28, who suffered a spinal cord injury, can walk (with a walker) for more than 1 kilometer with electrical … READ MORE

The curious case of Charles Krauthammer

Charles Krauthammer, Pulitzer-prize winning columnist for The Washington Post, best-selling author, Fox News commentator and well-respected conservative rhetorician, died on June 21 after an aggressive return of cancer following … READ MORE

He never gives up: Broncos bus crash survivor sets his sights on independence

On eve of Humboldt Broncos home opener, Ryan Straschnitzki talks about his recovery. Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki during a rehab session. ‘He never gives up,’ says his physiotherapist Christin … READ MORE

The Paralympic wheelchair maker

Vince Ross suffered a car crash at the age of 22, becoming a wheelchair user. He explains to the BBC’s Ellis Palmer how his Paralympic experience led him to create a successful wheelchair-making business in Liverpool. BBC News … READ MORE

Baby steps: Injured Humboldt Broncos player learns old skills after accident

Ryan Straschnitzki’s sweat-soaked physio regime in Calgary includes learning to crawl. Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki on his hands and knees trying a skill he hasn’t had to practice for 18 years at … READ MORE

Non-surgical recovery of function: Not a fantasy

“Improved voluntary hand function occurred within a single session in every subject tested.” Dr. Reggie Edgerton, Director of UCLA Edgerton Lab, poses for a portrait in his lab on the campus in Los Angeles, California, March 16, … READ MORE

Ryan Straschnitzki returns to the ice for 1st time since Humboldt Broncos bus crash

‘As soon as those blades touched the ice, I’ve never seen a smile that big.’ Ryan Straschnitzki and girlfriend Erika in Okotoks, Alberta, July 20, 2018. Tom Straschnitizki Stephen Hunt, CBC News Calgary July 21, 2018 … READ MORE

Humboldt Broncos’ Ryan Straschnitzki arrives home after spinal treatment in Philadelphia

Alberta teen was paralyzed in Saskatchewan team bus crash that killed 16 people. For the first time in five months, paralyzed Humboldt Broncos player Ryan Straschnitzki is together with his family in his hometown of Airdrie AB. Ryan … READ MORE

‘I’m pumped,’ says paralyzed Humboldt Bronco, as he prepares to leave specialized rehab program in US

Ryan Straschnitzki’s physiotherapy in Philadelphia includes simulated walking. Humboldt Broncos survivor Ryan Straschnitzki does muscles strengthening exercises during a physiotherapy session at the Shriners Hospital in … READ MORE

Injured Humboldt Bronco Ryan Straschnitzki off to U.S. for ‘just better’ spinal rehab

19-year-old Alberta hockey player, paralyzed in deadly bus crash, offered specialized care in Philadelphia. Humboldt Broncos hockey player Ryan Straschnitzki was left paralyzed by a bus crash in April that killed 16 and injured him … READ MORE

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