Politics: We Won! Stem Cell Bill Passed House

 

We won! Stem Cell Bill Passed the House Historic stem cell legislation passes the  House of Representatives We did it.  In a landmark vote that gives hope to millions of patients throughout the nation, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to expand the federal stem cell policy – a highly restrictive policy announced by President Bush in August 2001.  The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, (H.R. 810) passed 238-194.  Your efforts made the difference!  Many Representatives commented on how their offices were flooded with calls and letters overwhelmingly supportive of the bill.  All we can say is thank you for your time and effort. With this victory, we’re now changing our focus to the Senate, where support for the bill is bipartisan and strong.  We’re confident that The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S.471) has a great shot at passing, but we’ll definitely need your help in building on today’s momentum for this bill to become law. But for today, let’s celebrate our victory and thank our friends.  Please send a letter thanking the cosponsors of this legislation, Representatives Michael Castle (R-DE) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), and all our champions in Congress for their great leadership in this historic vote.  See if your Member voted for the bill and send a thank you letter  for their support.  We are grateful to all the Members of the House who heard the concerns of the people and voted to support this historic legislation.  Their actions will help move this vital research forward and provide hope to millions of Americans. The Christopher Reeve Action Network GO FORWARD. Christopher Reeve imagined living in a world where politics would never get in the way of hope! He supported embryonic stem cell research and SCNT, not for his own benefit, but for the millions of Americans who could live better lives through the advancement of research. Have Questions? Click here for more information on stem cell and SCNT research.   Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation 500 Morris Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081 (800) 225-0292 www.ChristopherReeve.org

To prevent mailbox filters from deleting mailings from Christopher Reeve Action Network, add hope@crpf.org to your address book.

To unsubscribe from this mailing, please click here

To unsubscribe from all mailings from Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF), please click here

Comedic Ingenuity: A Redneck Bass Boat

I received this on an e-mail today.  It's rather funny in the redneck context, but then at the same time I have to give the guy credit for inexpensive ingenuity!  Looks like it could be kind of fun also, but before you go out and build one, may I recommend 2 things:

• extend the runners 2 feet in the rear and 1.5 feet to the front tapered up to a point to increase stability and improve fluid dynamics
• for the environment and safety, only use a sealed, gel cell battery and mount it down firmly in case of an inadvertent capsize (your buddy decides to buzz you!)

For the truly outgoing and a more permanent vessel, wrap the entire structure in 5-10 layers of fiberglass

Kudos to this redneck for stimulating an interesting idea!  --Mark

Stem Cell Politics: urgent action needed to support stem cell research enhancement act up for vote this week!

Urgent Action Alert!

CALL, EMAIL, OR WRITE YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
 
Urge Them to Vote in Favor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, HR 810

The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, HR 810, is a bi-partisan bill sponsored by Representatives Mike Castle and Diana DeGette that will expand Federal research funding to the use of embryonic stem cells derived after August 9, 2001. 
 
The bill specifies that fundable cell lines come from IVF-created embryos donated by infertile couples who no longer need the embryos to have children and would otherwise discard. Couples would donate embryos with written informed consent and would nor receive any compensation.

 

This bill may be brought to the House or Representatives for a vote as early as next week.

 

When President Bush announced his stem cell policy in August 2001, we did not foresee that the 78 lines available for research at that time would not be sufficient.  Tell your Representative the challenges with the current policy are the following:

 

·        While it originally appeared that 78 embryonic stem cell lines would be available for research under the federal policy, now, more than two years after August 9, 2001, only 15 are available to researchers.

• All of those lines are contaminated with mouse feeder cells, making their therapeutic use for humans uncertain.
• Scientists are reporting that it is increasingly difficult to attract new scientists to this area of research because of concerns that funding restrictions will keep this research from being successful.

• This promising field of research is moving overseas. We have already seen researchers move to countries such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, Israel, Sweden, and Australia, which have more supportive policies.

 

Talking Points on H.R 810:

** Note:  When you call, ask for the health aide, and if the aide is not there, leave a detailed voicemail for him/her and request a return call.  Try to avoid leaving a message with the front desk.

• As a constituent, I am calling to urge Representative _______ to vote YES on H.R. 810, the “Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005” introduced by Representatives Castle and DeGette.
• This bill would expand the current federal policy on embryonic stem cell research to allow for federal funding on stem cell lines that meet clear ethical guidelines, which is needed for scientists to explore the full promise of this research.
• Explain your personal connection to this legislation.
• Embryonic stem cells have the potential to be used to treat and better understand a multitude of diseases and injuries.
• I strongly urge Representative ______ to vote YES H.R. 810 to move this important field of research forward.

 

Embryonic stem cell research is about saving and improving lives. Go to www.camradvocacy.org, and follow the steps to Contact Congress.

 

Make your support of Embryonic Stem Cell Research known!

Ironic Political Statistics

<!-- Converted from text/plain format --> <DIV><FONT size=2>Imagine working for a company that has a few more than 500 employees with the following statistics.&nbsp; What would you do?<BR><BR>29 have been accused of spousal abuse<BR>7 have been arrested for fraud<BR>19 have been accused of writing bad checks<BR>117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses<BR>3 have done time for assault<BR>71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit<BR>14 have been arrested on drug-related charges<BR>8 have been arrested for shoplifting<BR>21 are currently defendants in lawsuits<BR>84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year...<BR><BR>Can you guess which organization this is?<BR><BR>Give up yet?<BR><BR>It's the 535 members of the United States Congress. The same group that crank out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line.&nbsp; If you believe the premise that we can only truly learn from our mistakes, then the country is in good hands!<BR><BR></DIV></FONT>

My Personality Test Results

I took a personality test.  Here are the results for anyone who might be curious...

http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/results/?o=88&c=69&e=86&a=44&n=7  

Comedy: Lady Sitters - what every man needs!

<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>This was just too funny and had to be shared!<SPAN class=765295817-06052005> --Mark</SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV>

Comedy: Mother's Teachings

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I thought it was appropriate with Mother's Day coming up on Sunday for us to give credit to our mothers were teaching us so much!&nbsp; [Chuckle]</FONT></DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Mother's Teachings</STRONG><BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just <BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; finished cleaning."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. My mother taught me RELIGION.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the <BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; middle of next week!"<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.My mother taught me LOGIC.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; " Because I said so, that's why."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not&nbsp; going to the store with me."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an <BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; accident."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 7. My mother taught me IRONY.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 11.&nbsp; My mother taught me about WEATHER.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If I've told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Stop acting like your father!"<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 15. My mother taught me about ENVY.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Just wait until we get home."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You are going to get it when you get home!"<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 19. My mother taught me ESP.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Put your sweater on.&nbsp; Don't you think I know when you are cold?"<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 20. My mother taught me HUMOR.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 22. My mother taught me GENETICS.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You're just like your father."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 24. My mother taught me WISDOM.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"</FONT></DIV>

bionic Exoskeleton Suit - now that's what I'm talking about!

Eye come up with an idea like this while originally lying in the hospital, but realized the complications lie in the control systems.  It seems, that for someone like me control will still be the restrictive, hindering factor.  Nonetheless, this was very exciting and interesting to read!  --Mark

 

A ROBOT suit has been developed that could help older people or those with disabilities to walk or lift heavy objects.

 

Dubbed HAL, or hybrid assistive limb, the latest versions of the suit will be unveiled this June at the 2005 World Expo in Aichi, Japan, which opened last month. A commercial product is slated for release by the end of the year.

HAL is the result of 10 years' work by Yoshiyuki Sankai of the University of Tsukuba in Japan, and integrates mechanics, electronics, bionics and robotics in a new field known as cybernics. The most fully developed prototype, HAL 3, is a motor-driven metal "exoskeleton" that you strap onto your legs to power-assist leg movements. A backpack holds a computer with a wireless network connection, and the batteries are on a belt.

Two control systems interact to help the wearer stand, walk and climb stairs. A "bio-cybernic" system uses bioelectric sensors attached to the skin on the legs to monitor signals transmitted from the brain to the muscles. It can do this because when someone intends to stand or walk, the nerve signal to the muscles generates a detectable electric current on the skin's surface. These currents are picked up by the sensors and sent to the computer, which translates the nerve signals into signals of its own for controlling electric motors at the hips and knees of the exoskeleton. It takes a fraction of a second for the motors to respond accordingly, and in fact they respond fractionally faster to the original signal from the brain than the wearer's muscles do.

“The motors respond faster to signals from the wearer's brain than their own muscles”

While the bio-cybernic system moves individual elements of the exoskeleton, a second system provides autonomous robotic control of the motors to coordinate these movements and make a task easier overall, helping someone to walk, for instance. The system activates itself automatically once the user starts to move. The first time they walk, its sensors record posture and pattern of motion, and this information is stored in an onboard database for later use. When the user walks again, sensors alert the computer, which recognises the movement and regenerates the stored pattern to provide power-assisted movement. The actions of both systems can be calibrated according to a particular user's needs, for instance to give extra assistance to a weaker limb.

The HAL 4 and HAL 5 prototypes, which will also be demonstrated at Expo 2005, don't just help a person to walk. They have an upper part to assist the arms, and will help a person lift up to 40 kilograms more than they can manage unaided. The new HALs will also eliminate the need for a backpack. Instead, the computer and wireless connection have been shrunk to fit in a pouch attached to the suit's belt. HAL 5 also has smaller motor housings, making the suit much less bulky around the hips and knees.

HAL 3 weighs 22 kilograms, but the help it gives the user is more than enough to compensate for this. "It's like riding on a robot, rather than wearing one," says Sankai. He adds that HAL 4 will weigh 17 kilograms, and he hopes HAL 5 may be lighter still.

Sankai has had many requests for the devices from people with brain and spinal injuries, so he is planning to extend the suit's applications to include medical rehabilitation. The first commercial suits are likely to cost between 1.5 and 2 million yen ($14,000 to $19,000).

Personal News: Tendon Transfer Surgery

On April 20 I had a biceps to triceps and brachial radialis to wrist extensor ECRB tendon transfer surgeries on my left arm.  As far as I know, everything went well.  My arm has been in a cast since then for the past two weeks.  Luckily, I didn't have too much pain although I was very tired for the first week after the surgery.  I suppose my body was trying to heal.  Today, I went in and had a new cast put on since the old one was getting loose as the swelling went down.  The cast will be coming off on May 16 at which time I will have a splint which restricts the movement as the tendons stretch and heal in their new positions for a few more weeks after that combined with some therapy to retrain my brain to activate the muscles for the desired result.

 

I will have to see what the results are like on the left arm, and then I may look at having them also on my right arm.  I'm still scheduled to go out to Cleveland this summer to have 12 channel experimental implant procedure done which will give me a sort of artificial, rudimentary hand grasp.  There's more information about this procedure on my web site.

 

I tried to shoot some video or have pictures taken when they were doing the surgery to share with everyone, but the doctors weren't very keen on that idea!  I'm sure it's a liability concern of having things photographically documented in case something didn't work out!  Chuckle!

 

Mark