Wheelchair News and Research

RSS

Abilities Expo to be held August 27-29, 2010 in Houston, Texas

Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, veterans with disabilities and healthcare professionals are expected to attend Abilities Expo on Friday, August 27, through Sunday, August 29, 2010 at Reliant Center. Admission is free and show hours will be Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.

24 Aug 2010

Scientists discover genetic flaw that causes facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

Nearly two decades after they identified the specific genetic flaw that causes a common type of muscular dystrophy, scientists believe they have figured out how that flaw brings about the disease. The finding by an international team of researchers settles a longstanding question about the roots of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy or FSHD.

20 Aug 2010

First Edition: August 16, 2010

Today's headlines reflect coverage of state health reform implementation issues as well as other emerging policy issues in the nation's health system.

16 Aug 2010

Researchers develop robotic powered wheelchair system for children with disabilities

A robotic wheelchair is being developed that will help children learn to 'drive'. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation describe the testing of ROLY -RObot-assisted Learning for Young drivers - in a group of children without disabilities and one child with cerebral palsy.

13 Aug 2010

Methodist Healthcare System to implement TeleTracking Technologies' RadarFind RTLS

Citing superior accuracy and performance, the Methodist Healthcare System, San Antonio, TX, has selected TeleTracking Technologies' RadarFind real-time locating system to track thousands of assets, and eventually patients, across multiple facilities.

11 Aug 2010

Driving for Quality Care petition tour for securing stable Medicaid, Medicare funding

As the extension of emergency Medicaid relief moves from the Senate to the House of Representatives, the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living's nationwide Driving for Quality Care petition tour for securing adequate, stable Medicaid and Medicare funding for long term and rehabilitative care for America's seniors and disabled citizens continues to draw significant support from legislators and coverage from local media.

7 Aug 2010

Inpatient rehab helps patient to regain functions lost from injury, illness

After a person receives acute care in a "regular" hospital for catastrophic illness, traumatic injury or a debilitating chronic condition, the next step in the process of recovery often involves a stay at an inpatient rehabilitation, or rehab, facility.Patients often have little warning when they're quickly moved to a rehab facility from acute care. Those who envision a long, leisurely recovery in a hospital or at home may find that the abrupt transition-and new responsibilities in rehab-leaves their heads spinning.

2 Aug 2010

Unique device helps disabled people navigate wheelchairs by sniffing

A unique device based on sniffing - inhaling and exhaling through the nose - might enable numerous disabled people to navigate wheelchairs or communicate with their loved ones. Sniffing technology might even be used in the future to create a sort of 'third hand,' to assist healthy surgeons or pilots.

27 Jul 2010

Braun Corporation presents key themes, recommendations discussed at symposium for the disabled

The Braun Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible vans, ramps and wheelchair lifts, today published key insights from a symposium hosted recently in Washington, D.C. titled "ADA 20/20: Looking Back, Looking Forward on Mobility." In anticipation of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the panel of key thought leaders from government, medicine, academia and business exchanged insights on current thinking around future mobility needs for Americans with disabilities.

27 Jul 2010

Today's OpEds: Health reform and long-term care; Health care incentives; Reasons for optimism or repeal and replace?

Our system of long-term care does not provide adequate or coordinated human services and medical treatment for our growing aging population. … Thanks to a provision of the new health care law known as the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program, tomorrow's continuum of care does not have to be so unforgiving. For the first time, a voluntary public insurance program will be available to help adults and families pay for long-term care services (Bruce Chernof, 7/23).

26 Jul 2010

Patient advocacy groups, home medical associations call for end to Medicare competitive bidding program

In a letter signed by 58 patient advocacy groups and home medical equipment associations, the American Association for Homecare urged Congress to pass H.R. 3790, a bill to repeal the Medicare competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment in a budget-neutral manner. The bill currently has 252 cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives.

17 Jul 2010

PPMD to provide grant to clinical sites participating in Phase 2 study of ACE-031

Patricia A. Furlong, Founding President and CEO of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, the largest non-profit organization in the United States focused on finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, announced that PPMD will provide a grant to clinical sites participating in Acceleron Pharma's Phase 2 clinical study of ACE-031. These grants will help patients' families cover travel costs to and from the study site, and hotel rooms and meals during study visits.

15 Jul 2010

Hospital for Special Surgery announces receipt of $5M commitment from CA Technologies

Hospital for Special Surgery announced the receipt of a $5 million commitment from CA Technologies, an IT management software and solutions company, at its 27th Annual Tribute Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria on June 21, 2010.

28 Jun 2010

Cellonis' stem cells diabetes treatment helps reconstruct natural insulin production

Cellonis, a Beijing and HK-based biotech company, with its new personalized diabetes treatment concept has demonstrated an amazing improvement in their treated patients' conditions. The ongoing clinical study shows the treatment's best case could reconstruct a patient's natural insulin production and even reverse later complications like kidney failure. Treated patients may have the chance to return to the normal activities non-diabetes sufferers take for granted.

24 Jun 2010

Researchers identify promising gene therapy for DMD

CureDuchenne, the Orange County non-profit focused on finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one step closer to that goal through the work of Dr. Jeff Chamberlain.

23 Jun 2010

Beneficial effects of LifeVantage's Protandim on DMD mouse model published in Journal of Dietary Supplements

LifeVantage Corporation, the maker of Protandim®, a patented, science-based solution to oxidative stress, announced today that a peer-reviewed manuscript was published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements examining the beneficial effects of Protandim® on a mouse model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), an X-linked inherited disease affecting one in 3,500 males.

22 Jun 2010

Children with special health care needs at increased risk of oral diseases

At the beginning of 2010, as many as 17 percent of children in the United States were reported as having special health care needs. Behavioral issues, developmental disorders, cognitive disorders, genetic disorders and systemic diseases may increase a child's risk of developing oral disease, according to an article published in the May/June 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry.

22 Jun 2010

End Duchenne Day to be celebrated on June 26, 2010: PPMD

Patricia A. Furlong, Founding President and CEO of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, the largest non-profit organization in the United States focused on finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, announced that the Mayor of Denver, Colorado, John W. Hickenlooper, has proclaimed June 26, 2010 "End Duchenne Day" in recognition of PPMD's 16th Annual Connect Conference. Denver is playing host to the country's largest Duchenne-specific, international conference, June 24 – 27, 2010.

19 Jun 2010

CureDuchenne kicks off national fundraiser Pick Your Peak

CureDuchenne, a national 501(c)3 dedicated to raising funds and awareness in the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, is kicking off a national fundraiser Pick Your Peak. Outdoor enthusiasts, philanthropists, families of boys with DMD, and anyone excited to get out and climb for a cause will climb the peak of their choice on June 19-20, 2010.