How important are mitochondria when it comes to brain injuries?

ABC recently reported about TBI's among children.

After experiencing a traumatic brain injury, Joe Detwiler spent two months in an induced coma and another two months relearning everything he knew before the injury. Although it was a life changing experience, the young boy has made an excellent recovery and believes he owes it all to his doctor, Jose Pineda.

Dr. Pineda is a pioneer in research for children who have experienced TBI’s. He believes it is critical to treat the mitochondria when such an injury occurs. Mitochondria are commonly referred to as the ‘power house.’ These organisms provide the majority of energy for cells in the brain. Dr. Pineda explains that when a TBI occurs, the mitochondria fail to do their job.

He believes this issue can be solved by giving patients medication which travels directly to the mitochondria in the brain. A similar treatment administered to adults is achieving awesome results. In fact, it has cut mortality by more than 60 percent and improved function within 30 days of the injury.

Let’s hope these promising results have a similar effect on children!

Wishing You a Healthy & Happy Holidays from the Injury Co-Op!

10 Healthy Holiday Tips

To keep you in shape through the feasting and festivities we'd like to share our tips for a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season!
1. Just because you're out of town and can't go to the gym doesn't mean you can't work out. Think outside of the gift box. Get in your manual chair and push yourself around the mall while shopping for the perfect presents. Get some cardio in by doing punches from the chair. (This will also be helpful in case any Black Friday shoppers are still straggling around!)
2. Stay hydrated by consuming more water than usual. Your body actually uses more water in winter than in the summer because it takes a lot of energy to keep warm, and the heat generated to maintain a stable temperature uses up moisture. Avoid coffee and non-herbal tea as caffeine is dehydrating, and ditto with carbonated beverages like soda.
3. Keep warm by dressing in layers. Hats, scarves and multiple shirts and socks are good options . Avoid clothing with bulky belts, buttons or seams in the back, and make sure to pull the layers tight. Consistently check for any exposed skin. Shirts and jackets have a tendency to roll up on the back of wheelchairs.
4. Try to have a family member help you do Range Of Motion exercises daily. Colder temperatures cause muscles to tighten up and stretching will not only help reduce spasms, but will get blood flowing to warm up your lower limbs.
5. Protect that skin! Apply Vaseline to the areas of your face that are not going to be covered. It acts as a moisture insulator and helps prevent your face from getting dry or chapped in the cold, dry air.
6. Wash your hands. Remember, it is flu season! Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product.
7. If you are going to be wheeling in rain, sleet or snow try to keep an extra pair of gloves with you so you can change them if the first pair gets wet.
8. Eat regularly. If you are going to a big dinner or Christmas Party, don't starve yourself all day in anticipation. You're in danger of arriving there feeling ravenous and eating everything in sight. Instead, have some low-fat, healthy snacks throughout the day. By doing this, you'll be less likely to over-indulge.
9. Use a smaller plate. Smaller plates mean smaller portions! So, you get to enjoy your favorite foods in moderation and not wind up being mistaken for Santa!
10. Most importantly, have fun! And, get ready to be AWEsome in 2012!  Have HaHavModfdgs

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Is it possible to be un-paralyzed?

Monique van der Vorst lost feeling in her legs when she was a teenager. Fast forward 14 years and she’s competing for the Olympics….able bodied.

Two years ago, Monique was hit by a bicyclist while training for the 2012 Paralympics as a hand cyclist. After the accident, she began to regain feeling in her legs and a year later, she was walking again.

Doctors are dumbfounded because there is no medical explanation for this. However, no one can deny that her legs are fully functional!

College Students Change the Lives of Active Amputees

Ksby.com shares a story about Cal Poly students working together on a special project.

There’s nothing like selfless good deeds during the holiday season. A group of seniors at Cal Poly are going the extra mile to help amputees. The students work to give these amputees a chance to enjoy sports as they did before the injury. Through the non-profit organization, Quality of Life Plus, they create prosthetics that allow clients, usually wounded veterans, enjoy sports like golf, scuba diving and hockey. These prosthetics are customized to fit each amputee’s lifestyles and needs.

What’s selfless about this? The prosthetics are completely free. The members of Quality of Life Plus simply do this out of the goodness of their hearts. ’Tis the season!

Double Amputee Wins Silver Medal in Paratriathlon

When Andre Kajlich experienced a double amputation after a subway accident, doctors said that, even with prosthetics, he would never be able to walk again. Little did they know this survivor would accomplish something doctors never dreamed possible.

If Andre had learned to walk, doctors would have been happy and proud of his determination. But Andre had bigger goals in mind. And, he recently accomplished a BIG goal after he not only completed a paratriathlon in Beijing, but he won the silver medal. Take a look at the video from MSNBC below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

A Little Girl Who Loves Soccer

Ellie Challis loves soccer. She trains with her team and plays once a week. Her mother says there’s no holding her back when it comes to the sport. However, Ellie isn’t your typical child soccer player.

In July 2005, Ellie was diagnosed with meningitis and almost lost her life. Four days after the diagnosis, her arms and legs became completely black and doctors were left with no choice but to amputate all of her limbs. Her parents feared she would never be able to live a normal life.

But, Ellie defied the odds. In the beginning the prosthetics were painful and she could only wear them for short periods of time. However, in 2009, she became the youngest person to have prosthetic carbon fiber legs. And she’s taking full advantage of them on the field!

Take a look at this video of Ellie in 2009 when she initially received her new carbon fiber prosthetics.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

An Amputee with a Passion for Dance

Like many other 12 year old girls, Pauline Fuller loves to dance. However, she is not your typical 12 year old dancer.  Originally from Russia, Pauline was born with a condition that prevented her legs from forming. But, she hasn’t let her condition prevent her from dancing. Pauline was adopted by American parents and moved to Texas. After, several surgeries, she can now walk and dance with prosthetic legs.

Take a look at this amazing video and see for yourself!

Hometown Hero: Paulina Fuller: MyFoxDFW.com

A ‘Must See’

Have you guys ever heard of Aaron Fotheringham aka one of the coolest people ever??? If you haven’t, you HAVE to watch this video!

Born with Spina Bifida, Aaron has always faced challenges. However, he has never been one to give up easily. At eight years old, Aaron began going to skate parks with his dad and brother to simply watch from behind the fence. This was until his brother suggested he try some tricks on his wheelchair. Let’s just say, the rest is history.

After landing the first ever wheelchair back flip, Aaron became and internet sensation and travels the country showing other kids how to use their wheelchairs in innovative ways.  He’s also a cast member on MTV’s Nitro Circus where he keeps up with the rest of the crew and does some pretty awesome tricks.

Aaron is so good at what he does, I find myself forgetting he’s even in a wheelchair when I watch his videos. Then I remember…. and I’m amazed all over again!

Back in Blog Mode

Let me start off by apologizing for not blogging over the past two weeks. Life got a little busy, but I’m back on schedule and will be blogging regularly again!

I hope you all have been keeping up with JR and his last few performances on Dancing With The Stars. In case you haven’t, I’ll give you a quick update with both the good and the bad.

Let’s start with the bad. JR hurt his ankle during practice this week. The injury resulted in a not so great performance which caused JR and Karina to be in the bottom two. 

Now, onto the good news. The duo made it to the finals!! They will be competing against Ricki Lake with partner Derek Hough and Rob Kardashian with his partner Cheryl Burke. I don’t know about you guys, but I have a good feeling JR might just pull of the win!

Well it was another awesome week for JR! But really, would you expect anything less? This week, the performers danced to Broadway songs and JR and Karina danced a Quickstep to “Hot Honey Rag.” 

Katrina said it was the most difficult performance she had ever done on the show. However, JR made it look like a piece of cake. He even did a cartwheel! All of the judges raved about the performance and the couple received two tens. With a final score of 29, they tied for first with Ricki and Dereck.

Take a look at their performance below…

An Amputee With a Basketball League of His Own

Check out ESPN’s story here.

At the age of 14, Scott Odom had his leg amputated after being diagnosed with cancer. While many thought this basketball and baseball player would never play sports again, Odom was determined to prove people wrong and played both sports in high school. He aspired to play in the NBA after graduation. However, this goal did not seem possible to others.

Rather than quitting, Odom simply started his own league, Amp1. He founded the league to inspire others not to give up on sports. Amp1 is the only organized team of amputees in the U.S. that plays stand-up basketball rather than wheelchair.

This team is really good! Odom, in particular, specializes in 3 point shots. He explains that able bodied players don’t take their team seriously in the beginning of a game. However, when Amp1 shows their skills, it turns into a regular game of basketball in which both teams actually compete. This year, the team launched a national tour and has developed a solid fan base.   

Take a look at the team in action….

Oops he did it again…

JR managed to pull of yet another awesome performance! The contestants travelled back in time to the decade of big hair and leg warmers….the 80’s. JR danced a samba to Gloria Estefan’s “Conga.”  As usual, the crowd loved him and, this week, all of the judges agreed he did an amazing job. He received a well deserved 28 points for the performance.  We are so happy this burn survivor is doing such a great job and continues to progress week after week!


Here’s his Samba performance…..

Martinez Receives Mixed Reviews

Well, Martinez has made it to yet another week on DWTS. He was all decked out this Monday in pink tails and a black top hat while he performed a fox trot to the Pink Panther theme song. I think he looked like a natural, but the judges had mixed reviews. While Carrie Ann said his performance fell flat, Len said he was the best performer of the night. However, the audience didn’t seem to have mixed feeling as they booed Carrie Ann for her critique.

Take a look at the video below and see what you think of his performance .

Steve Jobs’ Impact on the Disabled

When you think Steve Jobs, you probably don’t think of people with disabilities. Instead, you probably think of cool Apple gadgets like the iPad or iTunes. However, Tim Carmody recently wrote an article titled ‘This Stuff Doesn’t Change the World’: Disability and Steve Jobs’ Legacy that shows just how deep of an impact Jobs had on society, specifically those with a disability.

Carmody found out Jobs had passed while on his way to visit his son, who is autistic and depends on his iPod Touch to communicate. He explains that the iPod has forever changed his son’s life and allows him to interact with others at times when he wouldn’t have been able to on his own. From touch screens to voice commands, Apple has done wonders for those with disabilities. And the response from readers proves this.

One reader responded to the article by saying:

“My niece uses an iPad to communicate with us following a traumatic brain injury that has left her unable to speak, at least for the time being. Yes, it takes therapists and family members working hard to make this work. The blessing this device has been to all of us is hard to put into words. We are thankful to Steve Jobs and the Apple organization and app developers for making this all come together.”

There were several other touching responses similar to the one above that give others insight on how disabled people depend on Apple products for everyday life. Be sure to take a look at the article!

Another Great Performance by JR Martinez!

We’re so excited to say it was another awesome week for JR Martinez! This week, the contestants had to use their most memorable year as inspiration for their performances. JR  based his performance on the year he was injured in Iraq.

With a fellow burn survivor as his special guest this week, J.R. delivered an outstanding and touching performance. In fact, he received the shows longest standing ovation to date and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. With rave reviews from the judges, he scored 26 points.

Kristin Cavallari, who was eliminated this week, says she expects to see him make it to the final two. At this rate, I certainly see her prediction coming true. Can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next week!

Burn Survivor on Dancing with the Stars

Did anyone catch “All My Children” star J.R. Martinez on “Dancing with the Stars?” If you didn’t, you may be wondering why I’m blogging about a reality show. Well, Martinez isn’t your typical reality show contestant. He’s actually a veteran and burn survivor who has overcome the odds.

While in Iraq in 2003, he drove over a land mine and experienced burns of 40 percent of his body and lost an ear. He underwent 33 surgeries to repair damages and recover from the accident. However, Martinez never let the injuries put a hold on his life. In 2004, he began his career as a motivational speaker for other survivors throughout the country. Then, in 2008, he joined the cast of “All My Children.” This year, he was selected to be a contestant on the 13^th season of “Dancing with the Stars.”

His current role as a ballroom dancer certainly has not disappointed. Judges and fans are raving over his performances. After his first performance, Martinez tied for first place with 22 points. This week, he landed second place with the same score.

We have a feeling he’s going to make it far this season. So, don’t miss next week’s performance! If you haven’t seen him in action, watch the video below…..

New research suggests there may be an end to phantom pain

Medical News Today shares the original story.

Phantom Pain is a common side effect for amputees. This condition causes a painful sensation in the amputated portion of the limb. Until recently, there hasn’t been a cure for this condition because doctors have not been able to figure out how to treat the part of the limb that is no longer there.

However,  Dr. Herta Flor believes she has found a way to prevent phantom pain from occurring among amputees. How? Mind games.

At the EFIC Congress 2011 in Hamburg, Dr. Flor explains that doctors simply have to make the brain believe the limb is still there through neurofeedback techniques or creating optical illusions. At the end of treatment, researchers hope to trick the brain into believing the prosthetic is actually the original body part. The idea may seem a little out there, but researchers believe the human brain can be successfully manipulated. 

Let’s hope their theory is right and phantom pains are no longer an issue for amputees!

Do you think this treatment will work? 

Check out this video to learn what phantom pain is all about.

This is for all of you SCI Survivors!

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital is testing robotic legs on SCI survivors! And, so far so good!

The E-leg wraps around the leg and uses motion censors to push the body forward and put legs into motion. The Boston Channel reports that Annie Hayes, who has been paralyzed from the waist down for 6 years, is now walking! I think this is a story you have to see for yourself. Check out the video below of a man using the E-leg.

Follow this link to check out the legs in action.

A 9/11/01 Survivor Serving as Inspiration to Others

As everyone knows, we just passed the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. There is no doubt this was a horrific day for our country.  But out of that day came countless stories of survivors who now serve as an inspiration to others who have been catastrophically injured.

Allow us to bring to your attention one more story that we find particularly inspirational.  Lauren Manning worked in Tower One and was severely burned on the morning of the attacks. The burns covered 80 percent of her body, and no one expected her to live. But, with a child and a husband, Lauren wasn’t about to give up. Today, after years of physical therapy, she has healed and has even made a new addition to her family.

She recently released her book Unmeasured Strength to share her story and inspire others during recovery. Take a look at the prologue. I’m hooked!

Check out this video...

A few success stories to brighten up your day...

We LOVE reading stories about survivors who have overcome their injuries. Seriously, I can’t think of better way to start my morning.

Today, as I was catching up on my current events, I came across two SCI survivor success stories in a matter of minutes. So, of course, I felt compelled to share with you guys….

Let’s start with University of Alabama student Chelsea Thrash. The biology major was paralyzed from the waist down after a tornado struck her town on April 27. She underwent emergency surgery on April 28 and began therapy shortly after. Chelsea kept a positive attitude throughout recovery and made it her goal to walk around campus during the fall semester. Well, she did it! Chelsea has recovered in just four months!  Take a look at Miss Trash on her first day of class.

Matt Burns has another awesome recovery story. This 18 year old experienced a C5 SCI in July after diving into the shallow end of a pool. Doctors told him he would never walk again. But, after just four weeks of therapy, Burns walked out of the hospital on his own two feet. Although, he still needs some assistance with daily tasks, the teen is expected to make a full recovery. Click on this link to watch Matt’s interview with The Boston Channel.

Hope these stories brightened your day up like they did mine!

Take a look at this adorable pooch!

Check out the original story on WKRN-TV Nashville by Joseph Pleasant.

Scooter hasn’t had the easiest life. He was found on the side of the rode with an SCI after being shot 3 times. When Jordi, his owner, took him to animal control, the vets wanted to put him down.

But, Jordi knew Scooter had the will to survive. Today, he is training to be a therapy dog for children with disabilities. Jordi believes this is his true calling because he has a special connection with children.

Scooter now gets around with a specially designed wheelchair that is attached to his hips and lifts his back legs. Take a look at the picture below!

This pup has overcome the odds and serves as an inspiration to fight through life’s battles. And, we think this is awesome! There is no doubt this dog will make a difference for children with disabilities.

Big News for TBI Survivors!

We heard the news from Dotmed.com.

With the war underway, it’s no secret that brain injuries have been on the rise in recent years. In fact, 1.7 million American experience a TBI each year. This type of injury leaves survivors at a greater risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, dementia and depression. And, up until this week, there hasn’t really been adequate funding for research.

Well, this is all about to change. On August 29, the DoD and NIH teamed up to create a $10 million federal database. It will provide a central location for all TBI research which will, in effect, lead to more consistent studies. Scientists will now have access to an array of CT’s and MRI’s submitted by other researchers. The collaboration will make big improvements concerning the research of diagnosis and treatment of TBI’s.

This new database is HUGE for the quality of life for TBI survivors. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the improvements to come!

This video provides more insight on what the NIH is all about…

Someone Has Been Eating Her Wheaties

The New York Post shares the story about this awesome tennis player.

Has anyone heard of Esther Verger? If you haven’t, she’s basically like the Michael Jordan of wheelchair tennis. Verger hasn’t lost a match since 2003. That’s right…. she’s won over 400 consecutive games.

Verger was paralyzed when she was 8 years old as a result of a hemorrhaging blood vessel around her spinal cord. She didn’t expect to be in a wheelchair any longer than her recovery time after surgery. However, she remains paralyzed 20 years later.

But, like so many of the inspirational people I blog about, she didn’t let her injury interfere with her love for sports. She actually used to play wheelchair basketball as well and was part of the Dutch team that won the European tournament in 1997.

However, she decided to focus solely on tennis. And, I’m willing to bet she’s happy with her decision. Throughout her career, she’s won 150 single titles and 3 gold Parlaympic medals. Her next match is at the U.S. open. We’ll definitely be watching to see if she can keep this winning streak going!

LeGrand is up for an Award!

You’ve probably heard of Eric LeGrand, the Rutgers football player who was paralyzed from the neck down during a game in 2011. The media has followed his recovery process throughout the past year. In fact, we blogged about him a few months agoand were hopeful the athlete would walk again.

Well, LeGrand is making progress and actually posted pictures of himself standing on his own not too long ago.  You know we were happy campers when we saw this! But that isn’t the only reason he’s been in the news lately.

LeGrand has been nominated for the America’s Choice Honor For Courage in Sports award, which is solely determined by the fans. The winner will be announced on a one hour airing on CBS at 5 p.m. on November 13. We’ll keep our fingers crossed!
 

Paralyzed and Injured Veterans Catch Some Waves

Patch.com talked to some veterans who spent the day surfing.

Yesterday was a special day for 20 war veterans. The Wounded Warrior Project held their annual Hit the Beach event where wounded veterans come together and surf for the day. Local surf shops donated supplies to allow these veterans to enjoy this great event.

It’s awesome to see survivors of catastrophic injuries who have served our nation enjoy an event like this. Brent Cote, who is paralyzed, explains surfing has made him realize that, despite his injury, he’s capable of more than he thought. Other vets explain events like these are like therapy and allow them to take their mind off of things.

Follow this link to see the vets havin’ some fun in the sun.

What kinds of activities relieve your stress?   

South Florida Makes Changes to Prevent Student Brain Injuries

The Miami Herald shares new guidelines for Florida interscholastic athletic programs.

It’s no secret brain injuries are common among athletes. From football to hockey, there is always a new story on an athlete who has experienced a brain injury, mild or severe. In fact, we blogged about Paul Kariya, who recently retired from the NHL because he doesn’t believe the league is taking the appropriate preventative measures. 

The media usually focuses on professional sports. For example, the NFL recently implemented new guidelines to prevent brain injuries from occurring on the field.  But, now more schools are taking action as well.

The Florida High School Athletics Association, which sets guidelines for high school athletics throughout the state, has set forth new preventative measures. Students who are suspected of having a concussion are no longer allowed back on the field without a doctor’s ok and are recovered to take a baseline cognitive test during preseason for monitoring purposes.

Let’s hope these new guidelines  decrease the number of brain injuries for student athletes!  

Cheack out this video about concussions in sports...

Boy has his leg reattached….backwards

MSNBC.com shares this amazing story!

Dugan Smith was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2008. Like many other patients with this disease, doctors suggested amputating the middle section of his right leg. Not really an unusual story. But, it’s what they did with the remainder of his leg that’s makes his story remarkable.

In order for Smith to keep the nerves in his foot intact, doctors reattached his leg backwards. The surgery is called rotationplasty and was the only option that would allow Smith to continue playing sports. After the reattachment, the parts of his leg switched roles. Here’s the breakdown of their new functions:

·         Calf is now the thigh

·         Ankle is now the knee

·         Knee and foot are now the shin bone (these attach to the prosthetic)

For Smith, the procedure was a no brainer. He has been cancer free for two years and is playing baseball for his school’s baseball team.

Check out his leg in action!

A doctor who thinks outside the box

When an adult has bone cancer, they are given the option of undergoing endoprosthesis surgery, which inserts a prosthetic under the skin and eliminates the need for an amputation.
However, for children, it’s a different story. Often times, surgeons refuse to perform the endoprosthesis surgery because the prosthetic will not grow with the limb. Instead, they choose to amputate the limb to reduce the risk of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body.

But, Dr. Letson of the Moffitt Cancer Center refuses to make amputation the first option. In fact, he has performed endoprosthesis surgery on  50 children over the past 18 years. His solution is to implant expandable chrome and titanium prosthetics. The device grows with the child through magnetic pulls. The prosthetic is stretched 1 centimeter on a monthly basis.
This probably seems like torture to most. But, his patient, Katie Karp, explains it is virtually painless. She says, at most, it feels like growing pains.

While this surgery has positively changed the lives of many of Letson’s patients, insurance companies are reluctant to endorse it. Letson explains they aren’t keen on touching stories but, instead, rely on hard numbers. Truth is, patients with endoprosthesis surgery have the same survival rate as those with an amputation. Naturally, the insurance companies usually opt to support amputations which are much less expansive.

However, Letson’s overriding goal is to think outside of the box and improve the quaility of life for children who survive bone cancer. So, he continues to change the mindset of insurance companies and warm others up to the idea of expandable prosthetics.

You’re probably thinking this sounds familiar. Well, that’s because we featured one of his patients in a past blog post. Take a look at her video!

 

You have to see this little guy!

Has anyone seen Gamera, the 12 year old African spur-thighed tortoise, in the news lately? Well, we’ve dubbed him the cutest turtle ever!  This little guy was dropped off at Washington State University’s veterinary teaching hospital to treat his burned leg. Take a look at the video below to see how they solved the issue!

TBI Survivor Trekking Across Canada

 UPI.com shares the story of a TBI survivor who didn’t give up.

After experiencing a stroke five years ago, David McGuire was left with a brain injury that caused short term memory loss. Doctors also told McGuire he would never walk again. So, what’s he doing now?

Running across Canada, of course.

But, McGuire didn’t always set his goals this high. After the stroke, the life changes were too much to handle and he went into a deep depression. It was only when he noticed others who were worse off than him that he decided to turn his life around.

Now in his sixth of ten Canadian provinces, McGuire is defying the odds. His trek across the country began April 1. He runs a 25 mile marathon a day, making his original diagnosis hard to believe. However, the scar on his head, where doctors had to remove and replace a piece of his skull to alleviate swelling, is constant reminder.

A Blanket Can Prevent Brain Injuries?

The Sun Sentinel shares a new method of preventing brain injuries.

20 years ago, only 1 % of people who experienced a heart attack survived without a brain injury.  Today that number has increased to 40 %. So, what’s changed?

The answer is cooling. The American Heart Association recommends dropping body temperature to 90-93 degrees after a heart attack. It may seem a little odd, but this technique has helped countless heart attack patients. Doctors now use emergency cooling treatments which reduce the brain’s need for oxygen and, consequently, reduce the risk of a brain injury. These cooling treatments are typically done with IV fluid.

But, about this new blanket… Well, it’s a cooling blanket which is filled with chilled fluids. The blanket has actually proven to be effective and doctors in South Florida recently began using it to assist heart attack patients.

Follow this link to take a look at how the blanket works.

Amputee will be ball girl in the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament

NJ.com shares an athlete’s inspirational story.

Like thousands of other athletes, Denise Castelli broke her leg during a softball game in 2008. However, Castelli didn’t heal as many other athletes do. She experienced one complication after the next, and had to have her leg amputated in 2009.

While an amputation could have easily ended Castelli’s athletic aspirations, she has remained persistent. After just two months of training with the Challenged Athlete’s Foundation, she was able to run with her prosthetic. Soon after, she began trying out for different athletic teams. This year she’s focused on getting back on the softball field.

 So, what is she doing in the meantime?   Preparing to be a ball girl in the U.S. Open tennis tournament, of course. While it may seem like an amputee may not be the ideal candidate for this position, Castelli has proven to everyone that she can perform just like anyone else. She runs around the court with no difficulty, and even did a 360 turn to catch a ball during tryouts.  John Korff, director at large of the United States Tennis Association’s board of directors, even predicts she’ll be chosen to work in the finals.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for her during the tournament!

Take a look at the video below to see what the Challenged Athlete’s Foundation is all about.

Amputee Veteran Makes History in the Golf World

Did anyone get to watch ESPN’s E:60 last night? If not, click on this link and watch the video on a veteran who exceeded everyone’s expectations while golfing at the Old Course. Such a touching story!

SCI Survivor Gets the Wedding She’s Been Waiting For!

MSNBC shares this bride-to-be’s inspirational story.

Rachelle Friedman celebrated her bachelorette party last August in Virginia Beach. This was just a month before Friedman was set to marry her boyfriend of five years.  But, when one of her bridesmaids playfully pushed her into a pool her life changed drastically.

Friedman experienced a C6 spinal cord injury and has been confined to a wheel chair since the accident. With an injury like this so close to her wedding date, it would have been easy for Friedman to give up hope. However, like so many survivors of catastrophic injuries have proven time and time again, Friedman did not let it take control of her life.

She is set to marry her supportive fiancé this Friday in the same dress she planned to wear a year ago. As for the friend who pushed her in the pool….she is still a bridesmaid and her best friend. Friedman explains it could have easily been the other way around, as this was something they always did to one another.

While she is hopeful to walk in the future, this bride-to-be has come to terms with injury.  She even plans to get a peace sign tattoo on the back of her neck where the injury occurred with the phrase “Let it Be” underneath.

Check out this video of Friedman back in November, 2010.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

SCI Survivor Cuts a Rug

Did anyone catch this on So You Think You Can Dance a few weeks ago?

Feel like you need a little inspiration? Take a look at this amazing video! Rodney Bell, who is paralyzed from the waste down, and his dance partner Sonsherée Giles put on an amazing show for the nation to see.  They duo is part of Axis Dance Company, which is a group of dancers both with and without disabilities. The group caught the attention of producer Nigel Lythgoe, who invited them to be the featured performers on Thursday, June 30. The performance was undeniably touching and just goes to show that we can do anything we set our minds to!

Why Stop at One Leg?

MSNBC shares a huge advancement for amputees.

Big news in the world of amputation recoveries! Surgeons in Spain have recently performed the first double leg transplant. Needless to say, this advancement can improve the quality of life for leg amputees everywhere.

You may be wondering why this surgery hasn’t been done in the past. In the interview with MSNBC, Dr. David Levi shares the surgery is not necessary for patient survival. He explains there is no reason to put the patient in a potentially life-threatening situation when there are awesome prosthetics out there. Therefore, surgeons would not have considered the transplant unless the benefits were greater than the risks.

Arm transplants have been done in the past and surgeons can use those outcomes as a guideline for what to expect. However, there are some major differences that can greatly affect the recovery process. Not only are the nerves in legs longer, but the patient will have to learn how to put all of his/her body weight onto these new legs. Both factors may cause the recovery time to be much longer than transplants in the past.

However, researchers remain optimistic and believe, if rehabilitation goes as planned, the patient will be able to walk within the next year. This is a story we’ll be sure to follow!
Would those of you who have experienced a double leg amputation consider this surgery?

Check out this video of the first double arm transplant patient.