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The Rehab Letter July Sep 2011
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Transcript of The Rehab Letter July Sep 2011
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CMC PMR, A WHO Collaborating Centre
The World Health Organisation (WHO), a part of the United
Nations, has selected the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
(PMR) Department, including the Mary Verghese Institute of
Rehabilitation in Bagayam (Rehab), of Christian Medical College
as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Capacity Building,
Rehabilitation Technology and Disability Prevention.
Specific to rehabilitation of persons with spinal-cord injury and
acquired brain injury, this recognition is additional confirmation,
if any was needed, of the pioneering role played by CMC in thefield of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation for more than 45 years
and counting, especially in effective low-cost methods that have
immense relevance in India as well as other emerging nations of
the world.
This designation is for a four-year period and may be extended
at the discretion of WHO based on evaluation of the role played
by the institution.
Spinal Care India
Spinal Care India is an aspiring Pan-India organisation aimed at working for the betterment of the quality of life of persons with
spinal-cord injury. Long in the works as an idea, this organisation now has a structured form. It has been registered as a trustthat is promoted by the Mary Verghese Trust for Physically Handicapped.
Appropriately, the trust deed was signed on May 26, 2011, the birth anniversary of Dr Mary Verghese, the pioneer of PMR in
India and founder of Rehab in the early sixties. Spinal Care India will focus on activity in Tamil Nadu and in online forums for
starters.
We hope the quality of work would help the organisation grow and serve as an umbrella forum for small groups working in
related causes in different parts of the country. This is a long-term aspiration.
Ability Day
The birthday of Dr Mary Verghese was celebrated at the MaryVerghese Institute of Rehabilitation on May 26, 2011 as Ability
Day. There was a culinary fest, in which persons under care and
their relatives participated with great enthusiasm. A wide variety
of dishes were prepared and sold for lunch. The proceeds will go
towards helping economically challenged persons under care.
Rehab staff also played a major role in ensuring this event went
off smoothly. A couple of persons under care had also burnt the
midnight oil to come up with hand-crafted notepads, covers and
articles of daily use, which attracted ready buyers.
Jayapaul, an alumnus of Rehab who had been rehabilitated
under the oversight of Dr Mary Verghese and also worked with
her at Rehab, was the chief guest. He shared his experience
from the days of Dr Mary Verghese. The Rehab Letter was also
launched on this day with the first copy being handed over to
John Samuel of Tiruvannamalai by Jayapaul.
the rehab letter july-september 2011 a rehab alumni network publication
the rehab lettervolume 1 issue 2 price ` 3
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Biju Verghese, a physically challenged person from
Erumeli, Kerala, is the first in India to receive the
license for the alteration of cars. His best moment
was when he received the award of Best Inventor
of India from the then President Dr. A P J Abdul
Kalam.
He modifies 13 models of cars to make them
suitable for physically challenged persons and has
modified 200 cars so far. If you need a modified
car, please contact him at +91 94473 59094.
Undefeated in nine years, Esther Vergeer of Belgium has a winning streak
that stretches beyond 500 matches in wheelchair tennis.
Even Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal come nowhere near to besting this
mark.
Narasimhalu (Chennai) is all about ability in diverse areas despite facing the most adverse physical challenges.
the rehab letter july-september 2011 a rehab alumni network publication
abilityJust a sample of his potential
Modifying cars for physically challengedTennis stalwart
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the rehab letter july-september 2011 a rehab alumni network publication
bonding visionHarsha, aged 18, studies in Class XI in Little Flower Convent in
Chennai. When she was about two, brain fever had placed her
in a position similar to Anjali.
Support of a loving and caring family ensured she started her
schooling. Harsha has had access to the world of Braille and is
a voracious reader.
The two started speaking regularly on the phone and thus was
born a spontaneous friendship that both describe as close.
Harsha ushered Anjali into the world of Braille and also visited
her in Rehab, Bagayam.
With constant guidance and inspiration from Harsha, Anjali
mastered braille in the space of a few months.
The poem Be the best was Anjal is f irst "written"
communication in many years, thanks to her serendipitous
friend, Harsha.
Harsha, a hard taskmaster, gives Anjali regular assignments,
reviews and preserves them. She describes Anjali as a deep
thinker who could do much with a bit more confidence and is
helping her get there.
Harsha wishes to become an English teacher. For Anjali, the
doors to the future have just opened. She now dreams of
resuming her studies.
Faced with challenges in vision and mobility, the two girls are
determined to make a mark. To meet them and watch the
chemistry between the two is a heart-warming experience. What
a real-life tale!
The lives of Anjali Kumari and Harsha Jain were perhaps
destined to intersect, inform and inspire. The path to the two
coming together has been as challenging as one can ever
imagine.
Anjali Kumari, aged 26, came to CMC and the Mary Verghese
Institute of Rehabilitation in mid 2011, having spent almost eight
years in bed.
Living in Ranchi (Jharkand), she was a fine school-going child in
Class VIII when she lost her vision following a febrile illness. It
did not end there. Her spinal cord was impaired.
Her lower limbs became paralysed and Anjali had to discontinue
her schooling. Lack of access to quality treatment and
rehabilitation meant eight years in the wilderness with just her
dad and mom for company.
A year into her stress, she had lost her only brother, too.
Anjali had not heard of Braille and hence never got to read
anything. Listening to music was about the only recreation.
In 2011, her family came to know of Christian Medical College,
Vellore and brought her for an assessment in the hope of making
a difference to her life.
One of the doctors remembered another girl with similar
challenges, having treated her at the PMR OPD in CMC four
years earlier. He introduced Anjali to Harsha.
In an inspiring 20-minute telephonic conversation, Harsha
connected with Anjali and made her believe in giving wings to
hopes and thoughts, even as eyes and legs were failing the
heart.
Life is a test
Try to be the best
To make a name and fame
But one thing my friend keep in mind
Life is not a re-exam
So be the best.
Keep hope as the input
And the outstanding as the output
Yes my dear, be the best
Leave the rest
Try to be the best out of waste
All the best to be the best in every part of life
Light a lamp or a ray of light
Let it shine till the end of life
Be the best
Harsha visits Anjali at CMC Rehab, Bagayam
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the rehab letter july-september 2011 a rehab alumni network publication
alumni trackerKudos Hyundai, Bravo Sam
When we met Sam Moses at the Rehab Mela in 2011, he was
distinctly downbeat. He was unsure if he will be able to resume
a good job in Hyundai Motor Company near Chennai, even ashe recognized he was luckier than many in the degree of
damage.
He used to work at the paint shop in Hyundai when the third
major accident in his life led to an impairment of mobility. The
first two accidents had caused deep damage to his thighs and
face; he still has plates in place in the facial region to hold his
jaws together.
Having overcome them, he was now faced with a new
challenge. His damage was not as intense as is mostly the case
in spinal cord injuries; but nonetheless, it had affected his
mobility and body systems enough to put a major question mark
on his future.
With rehabilitation support at CMC and the Mary Verghese
Institute of Rehabilitation, he was soon mobile using a single
crutch, but Hyundai had told him to work on further progress. An
uncertain Sam went about his exercise regimen with regularity,
hoping to get fit enough for the job.In July came good news for
Sam.
Hyundai decided to retain him in his job at the paint shop. His
co-employees have also been good to Sam.
They would not let him do any hard work initially, but he is now
at full tilt. Not surprisingly, he is a major auto buff.
On being taken back by the company, Sam Moses, on his
Facebook page, thanked friends at Hyundai, the doctors &
therapists at CMC & Rehab and Jesus. We wish Sam the very
best and hopefully no more accidents, major or minor.
Back in business mode but...
Anand Kumar of Chennai had a spinal cord injury in 2010 at the
cervical level. This left him with only partial use of his hands. He
underwent a four-month rehabilitation at Rehab, Bagayam.
Since going home about six months ago, he has struggled to
maintain a balance between his work and rehabilitation.
For the first few months, he focused on his exercises, as if he
was at Rehab, with specific time lines for therapy on a daily
basis, and as a result, his business went for a toss. Had this
continued, it would not have done him any good, as it was
effectively shutting a means to a livelihood.
He then recognized that this was not the way to go and decided
to renew his focus on his construction business. Today, he is at
it full throttle, visits his work sites using a car and a wheelchair,
manages his business contacts with his mobile and oversees
the business from home, too.
The good thing is he has moved out to the outside world and
resumed his activity. This has come at a price. Anand says he
has now almost completely stopped his exercises and has
moved back even compared to where he was when he was
admitted into Rehab.
Anand is yet another example of how spinal cord injured persons
struggle to achieve the right balance between work and fitness.
Peer counselling is now under way to get Anand to resume his
exercises and move towards a healthy balance.
There is a lesson for every person with a spinal-cord injury, be it
in the early years or later years of the new avatar. Each of us
must strive to always strike a healthy balance between work,
family life and focus on fitness. If necessary, take the guidance
of experienced peers and/or Social Workers at Rehab.
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alumni tracker
RIP Nikhil
Nikhil from Kerala suffered a major road accident near
Johannesburg in South Africa in 2010. After a month and a bit
of treatment there, he came to Rehab bearing the scars of asevere brain injury. Good family support meant serious effort to
get him back on track with the aid of doctors and therapists.
Nikhil barely responded to the valiant efforts at Rehab. Only
when his baby of less-than-two years was around and made
noises could one notice a flicker of response from Nikhil. After
about seven months in Rehab and in Vellore in order to get in
for the next round of rehabilitation, Nikhil succumbed to his
injury, leaving behind his young wife and baby. The image of his
dad holding his forehead to ensure neck stability, as he used
to be on the standing table is etched in the mind of those who
happened to observe this in PT. We pray for strength and a
bright future for Nikhils child, wife and parents.
Raghu Naidu, a stellar model is no more
For many years now, Raghu Naidu has been the show caseexample of a successful rehabilitation, especially in a distinctly
rural setting.
Rigorous training and hard work enabled Raghu Naidu to stay a
farmer despite a spinal cord injury that made mobility tough for
him.
He learnt not just walking with callipers and crutches, but also
how to navigate tough terrain and use them in his agricultural
land in the process of farming.
His hard work also ensured financial independence for his family.
He brought up his two children and ensured they were well
settled in life.
He has recently passed away.
We should remember Raghu Naidu as the trail-blazing farmer
who made light of his physical challenges to work with dignity,
earn his living and enjoy the respect of his peers, therapists and
doctors.
We remember him fondly and pray for his soul and family.
In full uniform
With Manoj Kumar in the
picture is his doting sister,
Divya. Manoj, then aged six,had a high-level spinal cord
injury in 2010 and has moved
on in an admirable manner.
Manoj and Divya study in
Anita Matriculation School in
Vepery, Chennai.
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alumni tracker
Salute please
Paneerselvam, who lives in Tiruvallur, has come a long way in the
almost-three years since his spinal cord injury in 2009, which left
him a tetraplegic with a C6-level compression.
His was an incomplete status, which enabled doctors and
therapists to work on his available abilities to restore a modicum
of mobility. With assistance from the therapists, he started
walking using an elbow crutch.
The police department also adopted a supportive approach. He
was permitted to resume duty and attend work for only four
hours between 2 PM and 6 PM in the initial days.
By sheer dint of hard work, Paneerselvam pushed himself and
was soon attending to his duty full time. He has been able to
get back to good quality work in his role.
This did not go unrecognized. This year, he has received a major
boost, as he has been promoted to sub-inspector rank. This
enhances his quality of life.
We are proud of this policeman who has willed himself to almost
complete rehabilitation.
Peer get-togethers galore
Get-togethers of spinal cord injured persons were held in
different parts of Tamil Nadu as well as in Mumbai.
Taking cue from the annual Rehab Mela in Vellore in February,
mini-melas were held in Ambur, Arni and Tiruvannamalai. We
appreciate the efforts of Minnur Mahadevan, Bhaskar, John
Samuel and Lourdsamy in organising the events.
At Amar Seva Sangam in Ayikudy, the annual get-together was
held in the first weekend of August and attended by about 50
peers.
In Mumbai, Nina Foundation conducted Spinal Injury Awareness
Day on June 25.
These get-togethers of peers provided a forum for medical
review, discussion among peers and interaction with the local
community.
1800 425 1210
Spinal Care India has a Toll-Free Number that can be used by
persons with spinal cord injury / disorders to connect with
experienced peers. The objective of the Toll Free is to facilitateeasy networking and provide informed guidance on key issues
facing the SCI community.
The Toll Free Number of Spinal Care India is 1800 425 1210.
There will be no cost for any person calling this number. We are
taking steps to spread awareness of this number. We believe it
would help in especially guiding the newly spinal cord injured
persons to ensure they have rehabilitation at the right place and
right time.
We would have more to report on how the Toll-Free is working
in the next edition of The Rehab Letter.
December 3
World Rehabilitation Day.
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The knowledge-imparting movement she began several years
ago pulls on today, though not with the same verve and vigour.
The organisation called Chalanam (meaning movement in
Malayalam) she gave shape to has made a lasting impact in the
region.
Under her patronage, as many as 200 volunteers joined
Chalanam, and this organisation runs six schools for the
physically challenged.
Rabia could mobilise 60 neighbourhoods as part of a
programme she initiated for women's empowerment even
before the popular Kudumbasree movement came into
existence.
They experimented in many
things, including paper works,
envelopes, pickle and
handicrafts. Rabia now
manages a Jan Sikshan
Sansthan unit, offering several
job-oriented courses to
women, including saree
designing and electronic repair
works. Apart from coordinating
several village industries for
women, she manages a
women's library as well.
The village of Vellilakkad owes much to Rabia for facilities such
as road, power and water supply it got a years ago.
Her heroic fight against odds has found its way to the school
textbooks..Never be proud and arrogant when God showers
you with blessings; and never whine when God tests you with
troubles and crises, she tells visitors.
Source: Edited extracts from an article in The Hindu
(www.thehindu.com)
the rehab letter july-september 2011 a rehab alumni network publication
epitome of courage
A Life beyond polio + cancer + tetraplegia
Illness has not stopped her from reaching out to people. Rabia
has overcome many hurdles to be where she is today.
K.V. Rabia is the village woman from Malappuram who rose to
global fame by kindling the light of knowledge in hundreds of
illiterates, despite being confined to a wheelchair.
Struck by polio, she has not walked since she was 14.
Having survived a cancer attack at age 32, Rabia broke her
backbone in a miserable fall in the bathroom five years later.
Once described by her teachers as a `tape recorder for her
excellent memory, she has been suffering memory loss after the
fall. The incident paralysed her below the neck, totally
incapacitating her.
For six months, she was confined to a waterbed. Diabetes,
blood pressure and cholesterol followed. A drastic change in
food intake led to peptic ulcer, which currently annoys her more
than anything else.
Today, Rabia cannot hold a telephone receiver for five minutes.
My hands are so weak I cannot even hold a book properly for
a few minutes, she says.
She has been advised against using mobile phones because of
her cancer history. She also keeps away from computers for
health reasons.
Yet her inner spirit burns bright and indomitable. I don't give too
much importance to this temporal life. I will continue to serve
society the best way I can and what matters more is the life
after, Rabia says, reposing an unflinching faith in God.
In 1993, Prime Minister Narasimha Rao honours Rabia
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new therapists
More Physiatrists in the making
Christian Medical College has been permitted to increase the
number of post-graduate seats in the specialty, Physical
Medicine & Rehabilitation, from one to four effective this year.
Three doctors have enrolled for the program Jane
Elizabeth, Prashant Chalageri and Kriti Mishra. Due to a
technical reason, only three could be enrolled this year but
there would be four, going forward.
This enhancement in the number of seats for post-
graduation in PMR is welcome news not just for CMC andRehab, but also for the rehabilitation of persons with spinal-
cord injury and brain injury across India, as quality expertise
will spread far and wide.
The candidates would have the benefit of a holistic
rehabilitation set-up at Bagayam.
Our best wishes to the aspiring physiatrists.
Samson & Ann Patricia (Occupational Therapists) Ramesh, Ligie John, Shikha Lal & Manoj (Physical Therapists)
We welcome them onboard and wish them an enriching experience at our Alma matter.
Happenings
PT Interns training program: A four-day training program for
the new senior interns in Physiotherapy was conducted over a
two-week period. The PT staff at Rehab imparted the training.
Thanks: We thank Paul Ernest, Anne Greta, and Charles who
have completed their stints at Rehab.
On to PG in PT: Senthil Velkumar, a part of the PT team at
Rehab for five years now, has been permitted to go for his post-
graduation even as he stays on the rolls of CMC. He has joined
the KG College of Physiotherapy in Coimbatore.
WHO Workshop: Social Workers, Dr Guru Nagarajan and
Elango, attended a workshop on community-based
rehabilitation organized by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
in Bangkok. They shared the extensive experience accumulated
over two decades.
Pediatric Treatment Area: As Rehab now regularly has several
children under care and rehabilitation, a new dedicated facility for
them has been started. A separate team of therapists takes care
of the toddlers. This facility ensures the children are also not
subject to exposure to persons with brain and spinal cord injury,
some of whose behavior can, at times, frighten the children.
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the rehab letter july-september 2011 a rehab alumni network publication
rehab image
An image from Painting Competition for physically challenged children held by Charanalayam Foundation at Rehab on July 2, 2011.
Peers Outside Rehab
Dr Ketna Mehta has been one of the most active peers in building a network of spinal
cord injured persons. She is a fine example of how the physical challenge imposed
by an injury to the spinal cord can be fully overcome with the right approach.
Ketna had an injury in 1995 due to an accident while paragliding. She managed her
rehabilitation without going to any of the specialized institutions available for this
purpose (there were only two then, Vellore and Pune). Yet she has led a vibrant life
and served as an inspiration.
Her dream is to have a world-class rehabilitation centre in Mumbai. She has been
working towards this end for many years now. She also completed her doctorate by
focusing on this very issue. She has also advocated the cause in many forums.
She founded the Nina Foundation in memory of her sister, Dr Nina Doshi, who was
instrumental in inspiring Ketna during her rehabilitation. Nina always encouraged
Ketna to be self-reliant, to stretch beyond her limits, to become independent and topursue her professional and personal goals.
Dr. Ketna Mehta is now the Dean of the Welingkar School of Management in
Mumbai. She has been doing outstanding work in networking and counseling
persons with spinal-cord injury. She publishes One World that focuses on issues of
interest to the SCI-community.
Check out the gamut of her work at www.ninafoundation.org.
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the rehab letter july-september 2011 a rehab alumni network publication
meet a fellow alumnus
Skin Care Routines
In the last edition of The Rehab Letter, we had outlined broad guidelines for good skin care. We now focus on routines that would
also help in ensuring good skin care:
Cut your finger nails at least once a week, say every Saturday. This is important to avoid damage by scratching, during digital
evacuation of stools and applying needless pressure while doing work.
Cut your toenails at least once in 15 days, as a nail break can be harmful and take much time to fix.
Ensure that your trousers, tracks and shorts do not have any buttons on the backside, as they would be a pressure point.
If you are not managing your waistline in a disciplined way, ensure that your trousers are of comfortable size, as otherwise the
buckles can cause skin abrasion.
In doing transfers from wheelchair to other surfaces and vice versa, ensure that your buttocks do not hit the wheels.
Every time you take off your calipers, it is important to run a check on the skin.
If any part of your calliper is damaged, get it immediately rectified before using; else a damaged calliper can cause a variety
of problems.
If you travelling by car, auto or bus, especially in summer, be careful not sit on the rexin cushion seats. Place a towel or bed
sheet or a cushion and then sit. Else, the accumulated heat on the rexin cushion seats can affect skin quality.
Do not rest in the comforts of an airbed, waterbed or air cushion. If you do not turn every two hours or do push-ups at least
every 15 minutes while sitting, none of these expensive options can protect your skin. There is more on this topic on the next
page.
Last but not the least, take bath every day and apply a dash of coconut oil every day to body parts vulnerable to pressure.
Do consult a doctor to get suggestions/advice specific to you.
When you meet Gnanamurthi, you cannot miss his intense desire to be as independent as possible,
which is striking, especially in the remote setting in which he lives. And his journey, post a spinal
cord injury, has been tougher than most, at least as far as paraplegics are concerned.
Following a fall, he faced a future that had many a challenge, not just in mobility. He had his
rehabilitation in Vellore but a rude shock awaited him when he returned to his village, Palaya Arangal
Durugam near Ambur.
His family, which appeared to support him well while he was at Rehab, became less keen after he
returned home. He too wanted to be on his own and prove a point. In a small and remote village,
which was barely accessible in those days, Gnanamurthi showed great determination. He rented a
small hut in the hope of generating income by doing odd jobs.
Slowly on his own, he began to get back on the right track. Having done just enough to take care,
he started to look around and got involved in the community. He played a pivotal role in his village
getting basic amenities, including a road, a water tank and a public distribution outlet.
Such good work meant the community became his home. Folks in his village appreciated his activity and became a source of
support. Once he had become well recognized, the family wanted to change tack. Slowly, they absorbed him into the fold. Today,he lives in his village, does farming and has recently picked up four cows with borrowed money to start a new line of activity.
Gnanamurthi prefers the comfort of nature than even the more recent facilities that are available if he wants and sleeps in the
open. He has stayed clear of even a mobile despite having been offered repeated support. He offers tender coconuts and chicken
roasted live to visitors. A smile and an independent streak cannot be missed even as parts company in his beautiful village.
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Lemon in front of a lorry
Skin care or the lack of it appears to be the most common and daunting challenge facing persons with spinal cord injury. With the
introduction of the Spinal Care India Toll Free, we have had the opportunity to interact with peers in different parts of Tamil Nadu.
Pressure sores appear to affecting the lives of many. This is a mater of utmost concern, the more so, as they can be avoided by
simple day-to-day routines. Of even greater concern is the prevalence of pressures sores among the newly injured persons arriving
for rehabilitation. This clearly points to lack of attention to this vital aspect in hospitals that do not focus on treatment of spinal cord
injured persons in a holistic manner. This delays their rehabilitation by anywhere between 15 days to a couple of months, and places
a needless additional challenge in the early days. What we also observe is frequent recourse to airbed, waterbed and other high-
cost options on the assumption that they would do a good job of taking care of the skin. Ditto for cushions. Is this faith and
dependence justified? The answer is no.
They may, at best, be a psychological comfort factor that you have invested in your skin care. They are, however, no substitute for
the basic skin care routines that each of our alumni must be aware of. A doctor at Rehab, Bagayam neatly summed up their
ineffectiveness by characterising the airbed as akin to a `lemon in front of a lorry. Just as a lemon has no chance in front of on
oncoming lorry, so are airbeds, waterbeds and high-cost cushions in the face of pressure due to lack of adherence to basic routines.
Turning every two hours, lying in prone position at night and doing a good quality push-up for 30 counts every 10 minutes will be
a superior and zero-cost option than outsourcing skin care to expensive and largely ineffective devices. Let us stick to the basics,
even if it involves effort.
the rehab letter july-september 2011 a rehab alumni network publication
the Rehab Alumni Network view
know the rehab team
Dr Ashish Macaden Head PMR 1 Vinoth Kumar Occupational Therapist Murugan Gopinath Physical Therapist
Elango Social Worker Margaret Ward Sister Ambalavanan Support Staff
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News of use
N Problem of stem-cell clinics: For stem-cell researchers, the worldwide proliferation of clinics offering regenerative medicine is
frustrating. Many of the treatments such clinics offer injecting a patient's own stem cells back into his or her body in a bid
to treat conditions ranging from Parkinson's disease to spinal-cord injuries are at best a waste of money, and at worst
dangerous. "There's real potential to damage the legitimacy of the field," says Timothy Caulfield, who studies health law and
policy at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.
N Challenged but making a major contribution: Hugh Herr's legs were amputated below his knees in 1982 after a climbing
accident. From his knees down to the floor, he's completely artificial. "I'm titanium, carbon, silicon, a bunch of nuts and bolts,"
he tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross. "My limbs that I wear have 12 computers, five sensors and muscle-like actuator systems that
able me to move throughout my day." But Herr doesn't just wear artificial legs. He designs them, too. As the director of the
Biomechatronics Group at the MIT Media Lab, Herr and his team are responsible for creating prosthetic devices that feel and
act like biological limbs. They are also one of the subjects of Frank Moss' new book, The Sorcerers and Their Apprentices: How
the Digital Magicians of the MIT Media Lab are Creating the Innovative Technologies That Will Change Our Lives.
N Smartphones Tied To 25% Of U.S. Car Crashes: Distractions caused by smartphones contribute to a quarter of U.S.
automobile accidents says Governors Highway Safety Association.
N Regenerative medicine, drawing breath after spinal injury: New work on a rat model suggests that, after spinal-cord injury,restoration of sustained and robust respiratory function is possible using strategies that promote both neuronal regeneration.
N Edited stem cells yield healthy mice: By reprogramming mouse cells into stem cells and purging them of a disease mutation,
researchers have spawned disease-free animals.
N Making the driving cut: Deepa Malik discredits the perception of women as ham-handed drivers. She enjoys rallies and off-
road challenges that test endurance and driving skills. But what makes her truly special is that she engages in these motoring
pursuits, despite being a paraplegic. Deepa is among a group of women chosen for the finals of Bajaj Allianz Women Driver
Hunt', a nation-wide search for the most courageous and inspiring women drivers.
Source: Nature, NPR and posts on plegia.org, a Google Group for Spinal-Cord Injury Peers by Suresh Krishna
Suggestion
Please take the best possible initiatives to
spread the Spinal Care India Toll Free
Number 1800 425 1210 in your area. This
will be particularly useful for those who
have had a spinal-cord injury in more
recent times.
They could be guided to the appropriate
places for rehabilitation and also be
provided tips on managing the early days
in a healthy manner.
the rehab letter july-september 2011 a rehab alumni network publication
eye catching
Travel Image Bobby Abraham
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Disclaimer: Information in this document has been obtained from sources that are reliable in the opinion of the Editor and Publisherof The Rehab Letter. This document is only for information and awareness. Nothing in this document must be construed asmedical/therapy opinions and you must consult professionals. Publisher: Minnur Mahadevan on behalf of the Rehab Alumni Network;
Printer: R.Velayudhan at Paper Craft, No.25, C.P.Mudali Street, Pudupet, Chennai 600 002. Editor: S.Vaidyanathan