September 2013
NERVE TRANSFER SURGERY
This information is from:
Ida K. Fox, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery
Center for Nerve Injury and Paralysis
Washington University School of Medicine
Box 8238, 660 South Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-454-6089
Nerve transfers can be used to rewire the system to make some muscles work again following cervical spinal cord injury. The transfer
is done in the arm and essentially bypasses the damaged spinal cord to deliver a signal from the brain to a muscle that became
disconnected following injury. A donor nerve is taken from a non-essential muscle and transferred to another nerve to provide more
critical function. Because nerve transfers involve cutting and reattaching nerve tissue, time is required to regenerate working
connections between the nerves and muscle as well as to allow the brain to relearn how to use and strengthen that muscle.
Because the nerve transfer is done through an incision in the upper arm with no tension on the nerve repair and no re-routing of
tendons or muscles, there is very little down time after surgery. People who have this surgery may have some pain and swelling at the
site of the surgery but can use their arms for normal light activities including eating, writing, using a phone or computer and getting
dressed. There is no need for any splint or cast. Use of an electric wheelchair and assistance with transfers is recommended until the
skin is healed. Full pre-surgery activity can usually be restarted (including use of a manual wheel chair, transferring, sports,
strengthening, swimming, etc.) at two to four weeks after surgery depending on how the healing is going. This is very different for the
immobilization required after tendon transfer or tenodesis surgery to improve hand function.
For more information please visit their website: http://nerve.wustl.edu/nd_C6-C7_spinal_injury.php .
PEDIATRIC SPINAL CORD INJURY SYMPOSIUM
An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Unique Issues of SCI
Saturday, October 12, 2103
Registration: 7:30a.m.
Program: 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.
This comprehensive symposium utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to review pediatric spinal cord injury care. We will focus on the
state-of-the-art care in SCI as well as unique issues of the pediatric population. New clinical options and new research data will be
presented. Topics will range from autonomic dysfunction to spasticity to psychosocial health, wellness, and sexuality as well as
advances in rehabilitation. The lunch session includes a vendor fair.
Upon completion of this symposium, participants will be able to: identify unique issues for the pediatric SCI population, understand
secondary medical complications, discuss psychosocial health, wellness and sexuality, describe ways to enhance quality of life in those
with SCI, and identify rehabilitation approaches and options.
Those who should attend are pediatricians, physiatrists, residents, psychologists, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants,
occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, social workers, recreation therapists, nurses, nurse practitioners and
dieticians. CEUs will be offered.
Tuition: (Includes continental breakfast and lunch)
Healthcare Professionals: $50
Students: $25
For information on hotel accommodations or other general inquiries contact:
Sara J. Klaas sklaas@shrinenet.org 773-385-5448
Location
Shriners Hospitals for Children® —
Chicago
2211 North Oak Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60707-3392
Wheelchair accessible. Free parking.
ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES “RIDE FOR” A REASON CHALLENGE TOUR - 9/22/13
The Adaptive Adventures Challenge Tour is a great opportunity for cyclists of all ages, abilities, and experience levels to come to
socialize, have fun, get active, and - most importantly - raise money for individuals with disabilities wanting to achieve their dreams of
learning to cycle, climb, kayak, scuba, ski, and waterski.
Riders can choose from 100 mile, 70 mile, 62 mile, 50 mile and 25-mile courses that stretch from Evanston through the beautiful
North Shore. Adaptive Adventures will be one of the many groups riding with the Evanston Bicycle Club in The North Shore Century.
Contact Adaptive Adventures for more information
joel@adaptiveadventures.org or 866.679.2770
MOUNTAIN TRIKE
The Mountain Trike All Terrain Wheelchair that was mentioned in our January Newsletter can now be shipped directly to the United
States from the United Kingdom for $6,200 plus shipping. You can find a promotional video about the trike on their website:
http://www.mountaintrike.com/
ARE YOU SUFFERING WITH PAIN?
The Translational Pain Research Group at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital is still seeking individuals with pain as a result of
Spinal Cord Injury to participate in a research study. Volunteers must:
Be between the ages of 18 and 65
Be able to make 4 overnight visits to the hospital
Have had pain for at least 3 months
Volunteers who qualify for the study will be reimbursed for their time. The cost of travel to and from BWH will also be reimbursed.
For more information please call 617-525-7246 (PAIN) or email PainTrials@partners.org
SPINAL CORD INJURY: FROM CARE TO CURE (AND ALL THINGS IN BETWEEN)
A Two Day Seminar for Consumers and Professionals
Sponsored by Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois
November 8 & 9
William Tell Holiday Inn
6201 Joliet Road
Countryside, IL 60525
$40 for professionals and $25 for people who are spinal cord injured. Includes continental breakfast, lunch and up to 10 CEUs.
Contact SCIA for more details.
This seminar is made possible by a grant from The Kara Foundation
PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
Advocate Christ Medical Center
4440 W. 95th Street
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Ground Floor - Room 0265
Tuesday, September 24
5:00 p.m.
For information contact:
Sue Dineen 708-684-5402, Susan.Dineen@advocatehealth.com
Mercedes Rauen, SCIA, 708-352-6223, SCIinjury@aol.com
LIVES IN MOTION
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
2W171 Roosevelt Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Tuesday, August 24
6-7:30 p.m.
3rd Floor therapy gym
RSVP to mblaauw@marianjoy.org
CHICAGO TOWN HALL MEETING ON STIGMA AND MENTAL ILLNESS
From our friends at Access Living
On September 26, Access Living will host a town hall meeting on stigma and mental illness. This is a critical issue for millions of
people in our country, as ignorance and stereotypes about people with mental illness pervade every aspect of our lives. Studies have
shown that people with mental illness die about 25 years younger than people who do not have mental illness, due to disparities in
health care. The New York Times recently ran an opinion piece on how stigma about mental illness results in subpar care. You can
read that story at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/11/opinion/sunday/when-doctors-discriminate.html?smid=fb-share&_r=1&.
The town hall will include a presentation from Dr. Patrick Corrigan, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the Illinois Institute of
Technology, a nationally known authority on stigma and mental illness. There will also be a panel presentation by survivors of mental
illness about their own experiences. Finally, there will be an open mic session for attendees to share their thoughts.
The town hall is on Thursday, September 26 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., at Access Living, 115 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago. ASL
interpreters will be available. Additional disability accommodations are available upon request to Marilyn Martin at
mmartin@accessliving.org. Please refrain from wearing perfumed products in deference to those with sensitivities to chemical
substances. RSVP to Marilyn Martin at mmartin@accessliving.org
CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER
Please visit www.caregiver.com to access a newsletter and many wonderful resources for caregivers and professionals that serve
caregivers. This is full of information and resources to not only educate, but to guide caregivers through various steps and stages of
care giving! It is full of support and interaction with caregivers across the US! There are numerous resources including education,
tips, stories, conferences, products and more.
On October 12, 2013 Champaign County will host the 7th annual disABILITY Resource Expo: Reaching Out for Answers in our
new location at the Fluid Events Center, 601 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign (just off I-72). Funded by area businesses and
agencies, this event will be a place for individuals with disabilities and their families to ask questions, get information, share ideas and
learn more about what supportive services, programs and technology are available in our region.
New this year: A Job Fair! Talk to employers who are interested in speaking to people who may be able to help their businesses
thrive! There will be over 80 exhibitors from East Central Illinois businesses and local agencies that offer services and supports to
individuals and families with disabilities.
Join us on October 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for this FREE family-friendly event offering different hands-on activities for
children. There will be entertainment throughout the day and opportunities to win prizes! Your family will have fun while also
gaining valuable information about available resources for individuals with disabilities in East Central Illinois.
CHICAGO MOBILITY EXPO AND CONFERENCE
Organizations and products that can be of assistance for people with disabilities
Thursday, October 3rd, 2013 11 am-7 pm
Mobility Works of Chicago
Odeum Expo Center, 1033 North Villa Avenue, Villa Park IL 60181
QUESTIONS? Please call (630) 470-1492
Attn: Nikki Weiland
Email: nweiland@mobilityworks.com
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON
October 13, 2013
SCIA is a participating charity with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. If you are a registered participant you can still sign up
to be on our Run For Those Who Roll team. Contact us to find out how. 708-352-6223 or SCIinjury@aol.com.
Click here to become a SCIA member
Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois
1032 S. LaGrange Road
LaGrange, IL 60525
www.sci-illinois.org
708-352-6223
SCIinjury@aol.com