Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!ucsd!usc!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!259!415!Jocelyn.Lovell From: Jocelyn.Lovell@f415.n259.z1.fidonet.org (Jocelyn Lovell) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Re: Articles & Information Message-ID: <12627@bunker.UUCP> Date: 3 Jul 90 21:10:42 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: Jocelyn.Lovell@f415.n259.z1.fidonet.org Distribution: misc Organization: FidoNet node 1:259/415 Lines: 73 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Index Number: 9042 [This is from the Spinal Injury Conference] Pat, include the following in your list! SPINAL CORD SOCIETY - The Spinal Cord Society's motto, "Cure-Not Care", and its logo, a wheelchair symbol crossed out, have encouraged an entirely new and optimistic outlook for the "paralyzed". "Cure-Not Care" does not mean SCS is against care. Everyone needs care. On the contrary, what it stands for is improving care to its logical goal of cure. RESEARCH - Since the inception of SCS our aim has been toward one goal - cure of spinal cord injury. Until W W II most people died from SCI. With the discovery of antibiotics and modern rehab techniques, spinal cord injured persons have been able to survive. In the following 45 five years not much has been done in the area of spinal cord injury cure research. The system of rehabilitation for SCI has been to accept and to adjust to life in a wheelchair. SCS prefers to use the dictionary definition of rehabilitation - that is "restore to original condition". SCS has a targeted approach towards cure research. Without a targeted programme, research without a definite practical goal, merely becomes a toy. The goal of SCS is cure. All research we support must be directly aimed at that, or, if not, at least have that as the end result. 100% of all funds raised for research, GOES to research and all projects are strictly reviewed by a panel of consulting physicians and scientists. PURPOSE - Spinal Cord Society and Spinal Cord Society Canada is a large grass-roots organization of the injured, their family and friends, and dedicated scientists and physicians who are all aiming at the ultimate goal of CURE through the means of research and improved treatment. HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION - Spinal Cord Society was founded in November 1978 because of dissatisfaction with the direction and priorities of spinal cord injury treatment and research. SCS raises funds for research, performs public awareness and publishes a monthly newsletter with information on the current progression of cure through its research. The SCS has hundreds of chapters throughout the world and is growing rapidly. SCS sponsors conferences relating to the latest cure research in the field of SCI. Prominent scientists present papers, exchange information, and importantly, keep the spinal injured informed on progress. THE DIFFERENCE - We are voluntary - no one is paid. While there are a lot of well-meaning organizations working in the area of SCI, their goals have differed in the past from ours. Our goal from the beginning in 1978 has been cure for spinal cord injury and has remained just that. Access, care, coping, sports etc. for the disabled all have a place. But we feel it is not at the head of the line. Cure must be first and foremost. THE MILESTONES TO CURE BEFORE 1940 - A spinal injury usually meant a death sentence. 1940 Antibiotics & rehab enable patients to live but not be cured. 1950s Drugs & oxygen first used to reverse paralysis in a few new cases. 1960s Late Decompressions began although first done in 1930s. 1968 First spinal cord cooling operation (hypothermia) on new injury. 1976 Clinical use of hypothermia used on new injuries in Canada. 1978 SCS FOUNDED. Newsletters tell of need for centralized research. 1979 First SCS research grant made. 1980 First SCS chapters formed. 1981 First SCS Cure Research Conference. 1982 FES computerized walking brought to the forefront by SCS grants. 1982 First National Convention. Researchers say regeneration feasible. 1982 SCS computer Data And Referral System begun. 1983 First artificial bone substitute research funded by SCS. 1984 First chronic Spinal Cord Centre started at U. of Minnesota by SCS 1986 First axonal regeneration by applied electric fields - SCS project 1987 First restoration of adult mammilian spinal cord function. SCS. 1988 Trial on chronic, naturally injured paraplegic dogs begun. 1989 Magnetic stimulation on SCI people to determine preserved axons. THE SPINAL CORD SOCIETY plans to continue its efforts to increase public awareness of progress in this crucial field and to focus research and advanced treatment in a centralized programme for cure. .....contact...... -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!259!415!Jocelyn.Lovell Internet: Jocelyn.Lovell@f415.n259.z1.fidonet.org