[Scirehab-UW] SCI Update Newsletter Spring 2012

Dear Subscribers:          The Spring 2012 issue of the SCI Update newsletter has been posted on our website at:               http://sci.washington.edu/info/newsletters/12_spring.asp.   Contents: ·         My Shoulder Hurts! My Wrist Aches! Upper Limb Pain in Spinal Cord Injury Many individuals with SCI develop arm, shoulder, wrist, hand, back or neck pain after SCI. Dr. Deborah Crane, rehabilitation physician at Harborview Medical Center, discusses causes, treatments, and ways to prevent this common, debilitating problem. ·         New remodel…new independence Larry Mohrman has tetraplegia (quadriplegia) and is able to live independently because his home was remodeled with his specific needs in mind. This article includes interior and exterior photos of his home before and after the remodel. ·         SCI Forum: Ultralight Wheelchair Skills: From Rehab to Real World Learn the skills you need to successfully navigate your manual wheelchair in a variety of situations and environments so you can more fully participate in the activities you enjoy. Physical therapist Elisa Smith explains how to perform important wheelchair skills and shows videos of individuals with SCI demonstrating wheelies, going up and down curbs, taking stairs, and more ·         Literature Review: 12 abstracts of medical journal articles on SCI topics Read about recent research findings on sexual function, pressure ulcers, electrical stimulation, and other topics related to spinal cord injury research. ·         SCI Forum reports and videos you may have missed: o   Everyday Nutrition for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury o   Osteoporosis in Spinal Cord Injury o   Management of Pain in Spinal Cord Injury o   Management of Urinary Problems Caused by Spinal Cord Injury   *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     * Cynthia Salzman, MHA Public Information Specialist Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System Department of Rehabilitation Medicine University of Washington, Box 356490, Seattle, WA 98195 Phone: 206-685-3999; Fax: 206-685-3244; Email: csalzman@uw.edu

 

 

 

[Scirehab-forum] SCI Forum, Tuesday, June 12 at 7:00 pm

Dear SCI Forum subscribers:   Announcing the next SCI Forum:   When:         Tuesday, June 12, from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Where:       South Campus Center, Room 316                       University of Washington                       1601 NE Columbia Rd., Seattle, WA 98195                       For directions, go to http://sci.washington.edu/info/directions_forum_SCC.asp.   Topic:          On the Road Again: Driving after Spinal Cord Injury Driving can give a person tremendous independence after SCI. Being in control of your transportation may make life a little easier and help reconnect you with activities that make life fulfilling and enjoyable. More people with SCI can drive than you might think, but getting back behind the wheel can be a complicated process. At this forum you will learn what it takes to return to driving, how to find vehicles that might work for you, and some options for potential funding. Melissa Patopea, OTR/L, will start the evening with a talk about the University of Washington’s Driving Rehabilitation Program, which evaluates individuals with disabilities for driving potential, determines what vehicle and which types of equipment best suit them, and provides instruction and practice in the use of adaptive driving equipment. Then we will hear from several individuals with paraplegia and tetraplegia (quadriplegia) as they explain how they chose the vehicles they currently drive, discuss their equipment and modifications, and share videos showing them “on the road again.”   For more information, please visit the SCI Forum website: http://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/schedule.asp   Download the printable flyer:  http://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/6-12%20flyer.pdf    Participate in research: UW studies seeking volunteers with spinal cord injuries are listed at http://sci.washington.edu/projects_and_research/participate.asp     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     * Cynthia Salzman, MHA Public Information Specialist Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System Department of Rehabilitation Medicine University of Washington, Box 356490, Seattle, WA 98195 Phone: 206-685-3999; Fax: 206-685-3244; Email: csalzman@uw.edu

 

 

 

[Scirehab-UW] New SCI Forum Video - Ultralight Wheelchair Skills: From Rehab to Real World

Dear Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System Subscribers,   The SCI Forum presentation “Ultralight Wheelchair Skills: From Rehab to Real World,” which took place on November 8, 2011 at Harborview Medical Center, is now available for viewing on our website at http://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/reports/wc_skills_2011.asp.   Learn the skills you need to successfully navigate your ultralight manual wheelchair in a variety of situations and environments so you can more fully participate in the activities you enjoy. In this video, physical therapist Elisa Smith, DPT of Harborview Medical Center provides practical tips and explanations for learning and perfecting wheelchair skills, including wheelies for curbs and maneuvering in small spaces, on gravel roads, up and down hills, and more. Wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries are shown demonstrating several of these skills. Please give us your feedback after watching the video. Just click the "two-minute survey" link on the forum page, or go to https://catalysttools.washington.edu/webq/survey/csalzman/26614.   We now have 32 videos on a variety of topics related to living with SCI that you can watch online at http://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/forum_videos.asp.   *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     * Cynthia Salzman, MHA Public Information Specialist Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System Department of Rehabilitation Medicine University of Washington, Box 356490, Seattle, WA 98195 Phone: 206-685-3999; Fax: 206-685-3244 csalzman@uw.edu

 

 

[Scirehab-forum] SCI Information and Support Group Meets May 17 at 12:30 pm

Greetings subscribers:   Individuals with spinal cord injuries and their family members and caregivers are invited to attend the next Spinal Cord Injury Support and Information Group, which will take place:   ·         Thursday, May 17, from 12:30 to 1:30 pm ·         Harborview Medical Center  (4-West Patient & Family Room, across from the nurses' station).    This is not a therapy group, but rather an opportunity to share stories and experiences, ask questions and get real-life answers. You can also just listen to fellow members of the spinal cord injury community.   Monthly Meetings at Harborview Medical Center:   ·         3rd Thursday of each month ·         12:30 to 1:30 pm ·         4-West Patient & Family Room (across from the nurses' station)     For questions or information, please call 206-616-8568.

 

 

[Scirehab-forum] SCI Forum, Thursday, May 17 at 7:00 pm

Dear SCI Forum subscribers:   Announcing the next SCI Forum:   When:         Thursday, May 17, from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM                        Note—This forum is on a Thursday, not the usual second Tuesday of the month. Where:       South Campus Center, Room 316                       University of Washington                       1601 NE Columbia Rd., Seattle, WA 98195                       For directions, go to http://sci.washington.edu/info/directions_forum_SCC.asp.   Topic:          To Walk or Roll: The Controversy Over Walking and Research After SCI By Michael Boninger, MD, University of Pittsburgh   “Will I ever walk again?” This is frequently the first question a patient with a new spinal cord injury asks. However, over time the focus on walking often fades and other issues that impact daily living move to the top of the wish list. Is there peril if individuals with SCI and researchers focus on walking too much? Where should we be putting our scant SCI research dollars? Our special guest speaker, Michael Boninger, MD, examines this complex issue from the standpoint of both a dedicated physiatrist who has worked with SCI patients for over 20 years and a prominent researcher seeking solutions to the many problems caused by these injuries. Dr. Boninger is professor and chair of the PM&R Department at the University of Pittsburgh, where he also serves as the medical director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratory and director of the SCI Model System. Please join us for what promises to be a thought-provoking discussion of a controversial issue.   For more information, please visit the SCI Forum website: http://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/schedule.asp   Download the printable flyer:  http://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/5-12%20flyer.pdf    Participate in research: UW studies seeking volunteers with spinal cord injuries are listed at http://sci.washington.edu/projects_and_research/participate.asp     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     * Cynthia Salzman, MHA Public Information Specialist Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System Department of Rehabilitation Medicine University of Washington, Box 356490, Seattle, WA 98195 Phone: 206-685-3999; Fax: 206-685-3244; Email: csalzman@uw.edu

 

 

[Scirehab-forum] SCI Information & Support Group Thursday April 19, 2012 at 12:30 PM

Greetings subscribers:   Individuals with spinal cord injuries and their family members and caregivers are invited to attend the next Spinal Cord Injury Support and Information Group, which will take place:   ·         Thursday, April 19, from 12:30 to 1:30 pm ·         Harborview Medical Center  (4-West Patient & Family Room, across from the nurses' station).    This is not a therapy group, but rather an opportunity to share stories and experiences, ask questions and get real-life answers. You can also just listen to fellow members of the spinal cord injury community.   Monthly Meetings at Harborview Medical Center:   ·         3rd Thursday of each month ·         12:30 to 1:30 pm ·         4-West Patient & Family Room (across from the nurses' station)     For questions or information, please call 206-616-8568.

 

 

[Scirehab-forum] SCI Forum April 10, 2012 at 7:00 pm

Dear SCI Forum subscribers:   Announcing the next SCI Forum:   When:         Tuesday, April 10, from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM   Where:       South Campus Center, Room 316                       University of Washington                       1601 NE Columbia Rd., Seattle, WA 98195                       For directions, go to http://sci.washington.edu/info/directions_forum_SCC.asp.   Topic:          Protecting your shoulders & staying active after spinal cord injury   If you push a wheelchair or use crutches for walking, your shoulders are working much harder than they were designed to do and can easily be damaged over time. Your shoulders are essential for basic skills such as transfers, pushing a wheelchair, lifting objects and completing activities of daily living. How do you stay independent and active while avoiding shoulder pain and injury? Discussion tonight will focus on techniques and exercises for preserving and protecting your shoulders to minimize injury, decrease pain, increase strength, and maintain use of your shoulders for the long haul.   For more information, please visit the SCI Forum website: http://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/schedule.asp   Download the printable flyer:  http://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/4-12%20flyer.pdf    Participate in research: UW studies seeking volunteers with spinal cord injuries are listed at http://sci.washington.edu/projects_and_research/participate.asp     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     * Cynthia Salzman, MHA Public Information Specialist Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System Department of Rehabilitation Medicine University of Washington, Box 356490, Seattle, WA 98195 Phone: 206-685-3999; Fax: 206-685-3244; Email: csalzman@uw.edu