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| Arlene Romoff began losing her hearing during her college years. It continued to decline gradually until, almost thirty years later, she was left profoundly deaf. When hearing aids no longer worked for her, she elected to get a cochlear implant, a computerized device that stimulates the auditory nerve directly. Learn more about Arlene in her book “HEAR AGAIN” by clicking here HEAR AGAIN. |
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Amanda Boxtel is the Co-founder of Challenge Aspen, the Director of Special Projects and a motivational speaker. She is also an FES system user of the Vocare Bladder system. On February 27, 1992 her life took a dramatic turn around and her dance on wheels began. It happened in a split second whilst downhill skiing… a freak somersault which bruised her spinal cord and shattered her eleventh and twelfth thoracic vertebrae, leaving her paralyzed from the hips down with no sensation. She now travels the world to assist in establishing adaptive ski programs in places such as Akureyri, Iceland, Portillo, Chile, and Bariloche, Argentina. As a motivational speaker, she addresses large and small audiences in the community and private corporations and organizations. She has appeared in both local and national media outlet. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Challenge Aspen and the Expect A Miracle Now Foundation. As a native Australian, she calls Aspen, Colorado her home for fifteen years.Email Amanda |
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With a C1-2 spinal cord injury, Steve required a ventilator to help him breathe. Only four month after his injury, Steve received a phrenic pacer, an FES system used to assist with breathing. Cuff electrodes are surgically implanted around the phrenic nerves in the neck or chest; leaving no open wounds to maintain. Steve's are implanted near his lower ribs. The phrenic nerves (one on each side) control the movement of the diaphragm, the large muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. A stimulator-receiver (pacer) connected to the cuff electrodes is implanted under the skin just below the rib cage. An external antenna-transmitter is taped to the skin directly above the implanted pacer unit. Using 9-volt batteries, it is the size of a walkman and just as portable. The pacer has allowed Steve to get rid of the trache in his neck which was previously required for the ventilator system. It has also allowed him to avoid chest infections common among most quadriplegics. The phrenic pacer is quiet and inconspicuous so much that he can have a peaceful night sleep. Contact Steve to ask him about his experience with a phrenic pacer. |
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My name is Dale and I am a T6 paraplegic. My injury was on September 9th.1998. While I was working as a atmospheric condensation redistribution engineer (gutter installer) I was hit by a high tension wire (7,620 volts). I was on a ladder at the time and fell about 30 feet crushing my spinal cord from T6 to T11. My injury is complete and the doctors say I will never walk again, but with God all things are possible. As you can see, my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only thing besides my wife and family that gets me through every day. I now have the FES system in my body and am able to stand and walk on a walker every day if I choose to. The system keeps my muscles in tone and helps with UTI's, bone density and other problems that are common in people that have to be in wheelchairs all day long. I would recommend it for everyone that is able to have this system. God Bless and do not give up the fight to live a healthy life. There are many things around that can help you achieve as normal a life as you can have. Email Dale |
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After receiving an implantable hand grasp Functional Electrical Stimulator (FES) system in September 1996, Darrell Hover has been using his system regularly. As a C5-6 quadriplegic from an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) accident in October 1994, he had limited use of his hands prior to surgery. Now, this Mississippi resident has four different grasps that he uses to increase his independence. The first grasp is a lateral position, which allows him to pick up an electric razor and shave or to brush his teeth. Grasp number two is a palmer position, which allows him to pick up a glass or coke can. The third grasp is Darrell's sandwich grasp, which is similar to the first grasp but softer so he would stop putting holes in his sandwiches. Finally, grasp four extends his index finger, so it could be used to type on a keyboard. As an added benefit the FES system helps to decrease muscle atrophy. These may sound as though it's no big deal, but every step towards becoming more independent is a giant step in the life of a quadriplegic. Read more about Darrell’s FES experience on his website at Darrell's Website or contact him directly at Email Darrell |
