DerbyCity Area Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Derby City Area Chapter of the N.S.C.I.A. is a membership organization for individuals with spinal cord injuries, their families, and health professionals. Founded in 1984 as a Charter Member of the N.S.C.I.A., it was incorporated under IRS Section 501 (c) 3 as a not for profit organization. The Board of Directors consists of the Officers, Past President and the Board Members At Large.
*** OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
David Allgood - (502) 589-6620
VICE PRESIDENT
Adam Ford - (502) 425-2206
TREASURER
Tom Stokes- (502) 957-5865
LIAISON TO FRAZIER INSTITUTE
Jill Farmer
FUNDRAISING CHAIR
Betty Perry—(502) 647-0368
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY/WEB MASTER
Michael Feger- (502) 647-0368
PAST PRESIDENT
Adam Ford- (502) 425-2206
BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE-
Mike Perry
Kelly Young
NSCIA DERBY CITY CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
Editor- Barbara Davis
Contributor- David Allgood
Visit Our Website at www.DerbyCitySpinalCord.org
The Derby City Area Chapter Newsletter is brought to you through the generous support of Frazier Rehab Institute
NEW SCI TREATMENT, CONT’D
Research shows that the intense therapy has profound benefits. Patients spend about an hour on the treadmill with the help of trainers. It’s been proven to strengthen their muscles and to improve good health. The most unbelievable part of his therapy is how it helps paralyzed people to walk again.
“Walking is a stepping Reflex that is controlled by the cord and it is through facilitation and input from standing and stepping that we are retraining the cord,” Williams said.
Maloney’s result came after one month of therapy.” I just want to be able to stand on my own, too,” he said. “Whatever else is a bonus.”
Konieczko said that he is feeling stronger and getting back movement in his legs. He’s dreaming of learning to walk again.
“I intend to take it all the way through and make this something that people can look at and say, ‘By golly, if that fellow can do it, I can do it, too!”
Position-sensing joysticks and switch arrays have been the traditional means of interface for power-chair chin-control users. However, in a study by researchers at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, a force-sensing chin operated joystick has been developed as an alternative to these devices.
The important difference between a position-sensing joystick and the force-sensing type is that the latter requires no Range of Motion, which may allow for easier, more comfortable chin control.
The force-sensing joystick’s mechanical design includes a base, force-sensing beam, covering case, and mounting bracket. The electrical design features two strain-gage bridges, two instrumentation amplifiers, Tattletale control board, and a digital-to-analog converter. Software has been designed so it determines the output characteristics.
The force-sensing joystick may provide an alternative to the position-sensing one. The hardware/software design provides a highly customized interface that could provide better control for users. The device also has the potential for conversion for use as computer control.
