abductor muscles, essential for equilibrium when standing. “Now I can feel the cold and even get goose pimples. Day by day, I rediscover my capacities,” he says smiling broadly. “And to accomplish it, I am ready to do whatever it takes.”
Florbela, 32, sustained a 2-cm-long, C6 injury in a car accident six years ago. Her restored function demonstrates the procedure’s potential for those with more long-term injuries. Within several months of her surgery, she recovered abdominal muscle control, left-leg sensitivity, and, most recently, some grasping ability, which occurred at home with her husband. She notes, “We have recorded everything with the digital camera; I want everybody to see it.”
At the time this article was written, two American women with C6 injuries from auto accidents in 2001 were being scheduled for olfactory-tissue transplantation. They are considered superb candidates due to their youth, excellent physical health, and commitment to rigorous Rehabilitation. To help disseminate this function-restoring surgery, Lima is attempting a collaboration with a U.S. hospital in which Americans will travel to Portugal for olfactory-tissue transplantation, and Portugese patients will come to America for rehabilitation.
At a 1995 congressional reception focusing on SCI, a colleague with high-level Quadriplegia characterized the state of SCI research by paraphrasing a famous Martin Luther King speech. He believed that after a long trek in the wilderness, we have climbed the mountain and for the first time can see in the distance the Promised Land of restored function; some may complete the journey, and some may not.
Times have changed. This Promised Land is no longer a mere vision on the horizon. With ground-breaking physicians and scientists guiding the way, the first pioneers with SCI are beginning to step, in some cases literally, into this Land. Whether it is someone like Luis and Florbela mentioned above; the Shanghai motorcycle driver Huocheng, who can now walk and control bladder function because of a nerve transfer surgery, actor Christopher Reeve, who through innovative rehabilitation therapy can now initiate never-expected movements; or world pole-vault record holder Brian Sternberg, who regained considerable life-enhancing function decades after injury through ometal transposition, an increasing number of such pioneers are in the future. It is a growing reality coalescing in bits and pieces, including the first olfactory-tissue transplantation carried out by Dr. Lima’s team.
FOR SALE!!!!***
2003 Ford F-250 lift-equipped green/gray van; leather seats, TV, DVD player. Playstation hookup, am-fm radio. Rick Miller, 937-2245.
*2002 Dodge Caravan “Entervan” (Braun modification); app 18,000 mi; remote operated oil recently changed; mechanic confirms excellent condition; used only a little more than 2 mos.; $34,000. Call 859-492-7971.
*Ford 1997 Econoline Van; 100,140 mi; $16,000. Hunter Green-gray; new tires & brakes; “loaded”; call 270-786-4547; ask for Dale.
*1994 Dodge Caravan, equipped with lock down for driving; cruise control; tinted windows; 56,000 miles; good condition; $14,000; contact Ina Hogan at 241-7849.
*Hoveround MPV4; used only one year; 36” long; 23 1/2” wide; load capacity 300 lbs.; two direct drive motors; turning radius 17”; speed 5 mph. Asking $5,000 or best offer. Call 671-7656.
*Jazzy Electric Wheelchair; $2,000; 812-867-0137.
*1985 Komfort Koach Van with Power Lift; V-8; 350 BB; 5 liter engine; wheelchair safety straps; hook; television; power window and door locks; 127,000 mi; excellent condition; new tires; AC/front and rear vents; cruise control; AM/FM radio; tape deck; CB radio; game table and window shades; trailer hitch. Asking $2,995. Call 425-0314.
*Heavy Duty Scooter; used less than 50 hours/2 new batteries; $1200. Call (502) 348-9305.
*Liberty Stairlift/Set for 13 steps; $1500 soft; 937-9492
*Video tapes for sale. Various topics related to spinal cord injuries. Call David Allgood or Buddy Lawson.
***If assistance is needed to pay for any of the above items, contact Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation atfor information on loans at 5% interest to qualified candidates.
