September-December 2016

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             Help Today. Independence Tomorrow.
 
 
An Inspiring Story for the New Year
This father made a promise to his daughters, and he kept it. When his daughter was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Chris Kain and his wife made a commitment to give her a full life. He made it a goal to hike all 50 states with his daughter before she turned 18 years old, and he accomplished that goal just after this Thanksgiving. 

His hope is to encourage other "parents whose children are disabled to believe in their kids and push to give them more than only what is expected". 

It is our wish here at NAF to encourage everyone with a disability and everyone who knows someone with a disability to get out into the community and into the world and do what you love. Don't be afraid to push yourself further and try new things. We know that you can do it! And we are here to help! 

If you would like to read the full article please visit Fox News.com

We hope you have a Merry Christmas and lovely Holiday Season! 
Researchers Use Graphene in Spinal Cord Injury Treatment
 


Rice University's Chemist James Tour sees potential in using Graphene nanoribbon to heal spinal cord injuries. Researchers have used the process on a small rodent with a ruptured spinal cord. In just a short time the animal was able to regain failed sensory neuronal signals. This is another great leap forward in the journey to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. We know there is still much work and research to be done, but are always thrilled to hear how innovative individuals are coming together to look for solutions to what has been a life altering challenge to many people. To read more about the research done with Graphene nanoribbons to heal spinal cord injuries go to Techtimes.com


A Few New Clients


Kimberly,  54, sustained a C4 spinal cord injury in a car accident and is living with tetraplegia. NAF was able to provide a donated power wheelchair to Kimberly until her insurance provides a permanent one for her.

Like Kimberly, Syed, age 64, sustained a C4 spinal cord injury in a car accident and is also living with tetraplegia. Syed needs home modifications to allow access for his large power wheelchair. Insurance will not provide any assistance with home modifications so NAF is helping to widen doorways and install a ceiling lift in his bedroom. 

Ann, 62, is living with paraplegia due to a tumor on her spine. Due to insurance, Ann was not able to order a wheelchair for a specific amount of time and she was in dire need of one. NAF was able to provide her with an interim wheelchair to fill in the gap

This is Jacquelyn. She is 30 years old and is living with Transverse Myelitis which is a disorder of the spinal cord.
 NAF was contacted by a case manager at UT Southwestern asking if we could provide some assistance with rehab therapy for Jacquelyn. We were happy to help and here's a photo of Jacquelyn doing her therapy - she's got a pretty serious "effort face" going on! 

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What Are You Interested In?



     The Neuro Assistance Foundation writes and publishes this newsletter on a bi-monthly basis. We do this to keep our readers informed of what is going on in our little community. 
      Life in general is so vast, there are endless topics which can be discussed, researched, and taught. Please let us know if there is something, a specific or general topic, relating to the lives, feelings, perspectives, and experiences of the disabled community, that you would like to hear about. We want to hear from you! 

You can e-mail your suggestions to: joyhetrick23@gmail.com



Pediatric Home Healthcare, LLC (PHH) is an innovative Private Duty Nursing Agency. PHH will deliver superior customer service while making your child and family our # 1 priority. They will go above and beyond for our clients and provide top notch patient care! PHH nurses are available in person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and their Director of Patient Care Services can be reached by phone 24 hours a day. When selecting a home healthcare provider to care for your child, please choose Pediatric Home Healthcare, LLC!   At PHH, kids come first!!


We want to offer a huge THANK YOU to Pediatric Home Health Care! Each year they shut down their offices and bring all their employees to our Golf Tournament in support. Thanks to PHHC for their assistance in our mission.
We couldn't do it without them!

2016 National Statistics 
Spinal Cord Injury


  • There are nearly 17,000 new cases of Spinal Cord Injury each year in the USA. 
  • There are an estimated 243,000 to 347,000 persons living with a Spinal Cord Injury in the USA today. 
  • The average age of Spinal Cord Injury patients is 42 years of age, with about 80% of patients being male. 
  • Vehicle Accidents are the leading cause of Spinal Cord Injury. 
For more interesting statistics regarding Spinal Cord Injuries in the United States visit  nscisc.uab.edu


Ford Innovations
We never cease to be amazed by the wonderful and innovative things people are designing in society today to assist groups who live with various disabilities. In this neat Youtube video we get to see Ford's design for a self-driving wheelchair that can load itself in and out of the vehicle. 


Check out this video by following this link!

A Note to Caregivers.... From Dana Reeves

Dear Caregiver,

After my husband Christopher was injured, it became obvious that paralysis is a family issue. Taking care of our family's' physical, emotional, social and economic needs can be fulfilling and rewarding. But providing care to a person who is paralyzed is a job we don't always expect to get.
We mourn our loved one's loss of mobility and independence. We also mourn our own losses: We feel isolated; we have no personal time; we feel exhausted, overwhelmed. And we feel no one else understands the demands placed upon us.
A caregiver must deal with medical concerns, hygiene, transportation, financial planning, advocacy, and end-of-life issues. Being an effective caregiver means gaining some sense of control over the situation. One way this is done is through information, and by sharing experiences or solving problems with other caregivers.
Please know that you are not alone, that you are extremely valuable, and that you and your family can lead active, fulfilling lives despite the challenges of paralysis. Don't ever be embarrassed to ask our Paralysis Resource Center for assistance. Just call toll-free 1-800-539-7309.

Best Wishes,
Dana Reeve

(written in 2005, a year before her passing)


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Support Our Year Round Sponsors
NAF has some of the most amazing sponsors in the world. Because of their generosity, we are able to help so many people with life changing injuries. Please remember them when you're shopping or choosing services.


We Need Your Help

Donate ~ Sponsor ~ Volunteer

Change lives; make a difference.
 
 

Your $25 donation will help provide clean catheters to a paralyzed child for one month when their insurance won't cover the expense.

 

Your $100 donation will help build a wheelchair ramp so we can get our clients out of rehab and through their front door at home.

 

Your $200 donation will help widen the doorways in their homes so their wheelchair can fit through the bathroom door. Insurance doesn't covers home modifications.

 

Your $500 donation will help provide life-changing medical equipment: wheelchairs and specialized shower chairs, etc. Most insurance only covers a small part of wheelchairs, if any, and no "bathing aids" are covered. 

 

 

 

 No donation is too small. Click here for information. 


 

 

www.neuroassistance.org

Contact: Cindi Cooperman

 cooperman@neuroassistance.org

 

 

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