Paralyzed Rats Walk Again
A few people have sent me articles about a study in Switzerland in which rats had their spinal cords cut, but then were able to walk following an intense "rehab" including electrical and chemical stimulation (Reuters article). It's an interesting and promising development; the research focuses on reconnecting the brain to nerves below the injury by making new connections through what remains of the spinal cord in an incomplete injury. The scientists are hoping to start human trials in the next couple of years.

A Family Visit

Feeding birds at the Reifel bird sanctuary
As I mentioned in the last post, my niece Erin and my mom were recently here for a week-long visit. The main reason they came was so that Erin could be in the Rick Hansen Relay with me, but we managed to fit in quite a few touristy things as well. My mom seemed to enjoy checking out the bird sanctuary and feeding the geese and cranes, while the highlight for Erin was going shopping at the Pacific Centre mall downtown. And they both got along great with George. I did manage to fall out of my chair on the very first day they were here, as we were strolling along the boardwalk on the way into the village. Luckily, I got up and back in with no drama; it turns out the footplate on my chair had been falling lower and lower over time and I hadn't really noticed it, but it was to the point that it put me off balance just enough going over a small drop in the pavement and out I went. Lesson learned and I'm paying more attention to all those chair adjustments now.