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Stem Cell Documentary - Film Showing 9/3/08
September 2008
The documentary, Terra Incognita: The Promise and Peril of Stem Cell Research, will be shown at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 10 am in the 2nd floor Heyworth Room. The 90 minute film will begin promptly and will be followed by a brief question and answer session lead by Dr. Jack Kessler, Director of Northwestern University Stem Cell Institute, Davee Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Chairman, Department of Neurology at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine.
This film broadens our understanding of the stem cell debate and examines the constantly evolving interplay between the promise of new discoveries, the controversy of modern science and the perserverance of people living with disabilities.
Research Open House - Save the Date
September 2008
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicagos research labs and projects will be showcased during an Open House on Wednesday, October 25, 2008 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on the 13th and 14th floors at 345 East Superior, Chicago, IL. Learn about state-of-the-art technologies used to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. RSVP to Erin Dunphy at edunphy@ric.org or 312.238.0815.
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month
September 2008
The State of Illinois has designated every September as Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. In recognition of this, the RIC Spinal Cord Injury Team and LIFE Center are sponsoring FREE educational events on Wednesday, September 17, 2008:
- SCI Resource Fair - 11 am - 2 pm - Wheelchair Sports Expo - 11 am - 2 pm - SCI Athlete Panel Presentation / Discussion - 12 pm - 1 pm
Information booths will also include experts on: - SCI Research - SCI Employment Options / Services - SCI Sports Programming - SCI Parenting, Womens Clinic, Mens Sexual Dysfunction Clinic - Assistive Technology - Transportation Options / Adaptive Vehicles
For more information contact the RIC LIFE Center at 312.238.5433. All events held at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 345 E. Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611.
Note: SCI film series includes Terra Incognita: Stem Cell Research
Promoting Mens Health after Stroke
Reviewed August 2008
A research study is being conducted at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC). Recruitment is ongoing from March through August, 2008. Participants must be 18 yrs. of age or older, a minimum of four months post stroke and be willing to travel to RIC at 345 E. Superior St. Participation involves attendance at eight weekly group sessions to discuss masculinity, health and well being, and completion of pre and post group assessments. Some payment for transportation will be provided. For more information about the study and to determine your eligibility, contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Robert Hartke, at 312-238-1207 or at rhartke@ric.org.
Easy Access Chicago - Enjoy Summer in Chicago!
June 2008
Over a year in the making, Easy Access Chicago is the citys first-ever comprehensive resource guide for travelers with disabilities and their families! The new guide allows visitors with disabilities to explore Chicago with ease. The guide is available by calling the Illinois Bureau of Tourism at 1.800.2CONNECT or by visiting www.enjoyillinois.com or http://easyaccesschicago.org. The guide was developed by the Open Doors Organization in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Tourism, the Chicago Mayors Office for People with Disabilities, the Chicago Office of Tourism and Access Living.
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Kinesiology
Reviewed June 2008
 Textbook covers Biomechanical Principles, Kinesiology of the Upper Extremity, Head and Spine, and of the Lower Extremity, Posture and Gait. Indexed. Has accompanying dvd.
Project Choices
Reviewed August 2008
Project CHOICES is a "least restrictive environment" initiative funded by the Illinois State Board of Education. There are two components to the Project: CHOICES, which supports school-age children; and Early CHOICES, which supports preschool-age children.
Click on the link below for further information.
Illinois State Board of Education: Transition Services
Reviewed August 2008
The Illinois State Board of Education provides consultation services to assist students with disabilities in developing goals to prepare for transition from high school to college, supportive living or other major life domains. Contact the Transition Coordinator for further information.
Client Assistance Program
Reviewed August 2008
The Client Assistance Program (CAP) helps people with disabilities receive quality services by advocating for their interests and helping them identify resources, understand procedures, resolve problems, and protect their rights in the rehabilitation process, employment, and home services.
Click on the link below for further information.
Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor - Reflections
Reviewed August 2008
I just celebrated my 55th birthday. I sure never dreamed that I could live, or wanted to live, this long especially right after my discharge from R.I.C. on August 24, 1982. My accident was on September 08, 1981. If you figure it out, I spent exactly 350 days in the hospital, 7 weeks in a deep coma and then 6 more weeks in a semi coma. I was given less than a 10 % chance of surviving the first night. My back was broken, T 10- T11 fracture dislocation causing a lesion of the spine, paralyzing my right leg.
My rib cage was all busted up, my collar bone on the right side was broken, a hairline fracture at the C6 vertebra. My cheekbone on the right side was shattered and the right side of my skull was crushed. I guess I was one of the lucky ones because other than all that, I didnt even get hurt. My Traumatic Brain injury had and still has quite a grip on my life.
I am completely deaf in my right ear from cranial nerve damage, my right eye is almost non-functional due to the cranial nerve damage, I am completely paralyzed on the left side and on top of all that Im still just as crazy as I was before my accident. I really meant it when I said that I was one of the lucky ones, because my reasoning and cognitive thinking were not really affected by my TBI, at least not after the initial shock wore off.
Everybody who acquires a disability, pretty much undergoes the same six phases of death. Denial, anger, bargaining, frustration, depression, and acceptance. I never really went through the denial stage. Once I was fully out of the coma and fully aware of what had happened, there was no chance of denying it. Getting through the periods of depression are a little difficult. Everyone will be different. I was lucky again, in that a simple photograph got me through my periods of depression. It is a photograph of a Bull Moose grazing in a shallow lake surrounded by towering mountains. I took the photograph one year before my accident. Just looking at the photograph hanging on my wall invoked such a desire to get back to the beautiful area where I took the photo, it gave me the will to keep going. I wish there was something more encouraging that I could say to everyone out there who is living and dealing or knows someone who is dealing with a TBI, but there isnt.
Every TBI is different from the next one and even if the injuries are almost identical, each person will handle their injuries and the after effects differently. I will say that if you can survive long enough, things do get better. Your brain will transfer some thought and function processes to other parts of the brain that is not injured, some, but not all. I can now move my right leg and arm a little but nothing functional. But anything is better than it was. Nothing short of a miracle will give me back the use of my arm or legs, but you cant win them all .
Like many others before me, I have learned to live in a wheelchair and learned to depend on others for the everyday help that I need. And most important of all I have learned to depend and trust in the Lord to put the right people in my life to help me.
You can not give up, because the Lord does not put anything in our lives that He doesnt think we can handle. I was angry at the Lord for a long time because of my accident. One night while reading the Bible, in the Book of Kings I, it hit me, and I felt that I knew the reason for my accident. In fact I awoke the next morning thanking God for my accident, and for my surviving it. My accident wasnt a punishment as I had thought for a many years. I now look at my survival as a second chance at life.
As survivors you must find your niche in life, and go for it. My niche was and still is nature photography. I do believe that that is what has helped to keep me alive all these years. Researching, studying, and planning my photography trips to capture some of the worlds most elusive critters on film, or as in my case now, on memory cards, and in some very non-accessible areas. Find your niche and pour your heart and soul into it, excel at it and encourage others to try, thats what keeps you alive inside.
I would be more than happy to talk to anyone about living with TBI or about photography. Im no medical expert or even a photography expert, but I have picked up a few things over the years. Because of my hearing problems, email is the best way for me to converse. I can be contacted at:
David Farber
.. raptorfoto@sbcglobal.net www.naturallyfarberphotos.com
Take care and God Bless
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