SPINALpedia

05/29/2026

This photo shows a lab-grown brain-spinal cord model, which scientists at Cambridge University have used to prove that damage to nerve connections can be reversed with the help of the contraceptive drug, Lynestrenol.

Using this drug when applied to damage to mature models, it significantly boosted axon regrowth. They also discovered that damage axons grow effortlessly until the third trimester of human pregnancy.

Scientists were able to trick mature human neurons into reverting to an embryonic state by by a chemically blocking genetic expressions, and made them regrow.

A new study leverages 3D stem cell organoids and lynestrenol to reverse permanent spinal cord paralysis.

05/29/2026

SCI Friday Fun Day: Newly minted as "the longest wheelchair-friendly walking trail in Europe, the Pieterpad in the Netherland is over 500 kilometers long. Off-road wheelchairs, as well as mobility scooters and those using walkers can use the trail.

The trail was created by a local foundation, Moving Beyond Limits, that used 84% of the original trail, and added 82 kilometers of detours to avoid trail aspects that were inaccessible.

As of today, the Netherlands’ longest walking trail also has a wheelchair friendly path. The Pieterpad is now the longest wheelchair-friendly walking trail in Europe.The Pieterpad is now accessible for people with off-road wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walkers, and strollers. Like the original t...

05/29/2026

For people with quadriplegia, BrainGate, a consortium of universities and medical centers working towards creating a brain computer interface similar to Neuralink, is seeking participants for their next clinical trial. The trial will further research how implantable brain computer implants can control robotic arms and computers.

To be eligible, participants should:

- be over 18
- have paralysis in the arms and the legs or have difficulty speaking.
- have a medical diagnosis such as spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, ALS or other degenerative motor neuron disorder.

To learn more about participating in the BrainGate2 clinical trial, contact [email protected].

Rice, in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine, will join BrainGate, a consortium of universities and academic medical centers working on creating brain-computer interface technologies.

05/28/2026

We see you Hollister, California 😍

The city has deployed Dax Rook, an accessibility robot, to access sidewalk accessibility conditions ♿️

Hollister deploys sidewalk robots to assess accessibility conditionsKSBW is your home for California breaking news and weather. For your latest California ne...

05/28/2026

With a motto of "no excuses," a paralyzed army vet and his business partner have started a lawn care service company where they will cut grass, landscape, take down trees, and more.

They also plan on sharing other things outside of landscaping. Follow their channel for more 🌱♿

Watch their first official video:
https://spinalpedia.com/community/video/QdARVaqQyE2

05/28/2026

SCI Legal Help Thursdays: A Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a highly important legal tool for people with spinal cord injuries.

If someone with a spinal cord injury wants to maintain their eligibility for Medicaid and Social Security, having a SNT places the legal title of assets under a trustee, rather than the person who is injured.

We also help families navigate government benefits (SSDI/SSI/Medicaid). Mentoring is done best through a back and forth conversation. Here is the calendar booking link to match up a good time to speak with us virtually: https://koalendar.com/e/spinalpedia-peer-mentor-request

Learn more in our learning portal below ⚖

After a spinal cord injury, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit. And if you receive financial compensation, setting up a special needs trust may also be necessary. For those who require Medicaid and Supplemental Social Security, a special needs trust will allow you to continue to k...

05/28/2026

You can now watch the full length version of Adaptation, a 2023 feature length documentary film that follows a group of wheelchair athletes as they race in the BC Summer Race series in British Columbia, Canada.

This is the world's first downhill mountain bike race series to include an adaptive mountain bike category.

Watch: https://spinalpedia.com/community/video/7E2DYrqL1bN

Film's official site: https://adaptationfilm.ca/

05/27/2026

"Sum Function" is a new documentary released this year that follows the US All-Veteran Wheelchair Rugby Team.

"A group of friends, each impaired in all four limbs, confront battles more personal than war itself on and off the wheelchair-rugby court. Struggling to find purpose in the aftermath of tragedy, unexpected turns entrench them in fights for survival, connection, and access in a world not built for them. This hard-hitting story unravels into something far less predictable than the scoreboard — and proves that the human spirit never takes a seat."

The documentary was directed/produced by Noah Currier, a veteran, quadriplegic and first-time filmmaker. The film will be screening this Saturday, May 30th, in Rockford, IL.

Learn more/purchase tickets and see where the film will be shown in future cities:
https://www.sumfunction.com

Watch the teaser:
https://spinalpedia.com/community/video/WBLRQpLWymv

05/27/2026

SCI Research Wednesdays: Brandon Patterson, paralyzed in 2017, is the first person with a spinal cord injury to take part in a brain-computer-interface (BCI) implant clinical trial through the University of Colorado and its helping him move his hands to perform everday tasks.

However, this specific BCI is programmed to help Brandon and other participants move their hands not by targeting specific muscles, but by focusing on the brain's "intent," which it can then read and interpret.

"'While most BCI procedures focus only on purely motor regions, implanting this device in higher‑level brain areas will offer new insights into how the human brain works during everyday thinking and movement,' said Daniel Kramer, MD, assistant professor of neuroscience at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine and a neurosurgeon at UCHealth."

Brandon Patterson hasn’t moved his fingers in nine years due to a spinal cord injury....

05/27/2026

How do you play golf without holding a club? See AdapTee Golf in action ⛳️

05/27/2026

For anyone in Phoenix, Arizona, visit the Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center, a community center for people with disabilities, and one of the only centers like this in the country ♿

They offer the disability community an opportunity to try a variety adaptive sports, an adaptive fitness center, an accessible pool and much more 🤽‍♀️

And for anyone visiting from out of state, they offer daily drop-in passes for $5 per day.

Watch their highlight on the local TV show, "Arizona Daily Mix:"

https://spinalpedia.com/community/video/rmPRxXPGREA

Ability360 continues a 40-year tradition of offering and promoting programs to empower people with all disabilities to take personal responsibility so that they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community.