Christopher Reeve’s Son Partners With Foundation to Launch Crowdfunding Campaign For New Paralysis Treatment

Epidural stimulation 1

Film director and son of the Superman actor Christopher Reeves, Matthew Reeve, has teamed up with his parent’s organization, The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, to launched a new online campaign to fund a treatment option for those who have spinal cord paralysis, which his father was diagnosed with from 1995 until his death in 2004.  Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation 1

According to the organization’s website, the epidural stimulation treatment has the potential to be a quantum leap forward for the millions that are living with spinal cord injury. It challenges the theory that once the spinal cord is damaged, it may never recover or even repaired. The foundation revealed, “Epidural stimulation is the application of a continuous electrical current — at varying frequencies and intensities — to specific locations on the lower part of the spinal cord.”

“It involves an implanted device over the dura (the protective coating of the lower section of the spinal cord) of the lumbar cord where the central pattern generator (CPG) exists. The CPG is like a mini-brain within the spinal cord that is able to interpret sensory information. Epidural stimulation is being used to activate the nerve circuits in the spinal cord to provide signals that would normally come from the brain.”

During its first trials, four men, who were told they were unable to move again from the neck down, were able to do and experienced the following:

 

  • Epidural stimulation 2Voluntarily move his legs, ankles, hips, knees and toes when the stimulator was turned on
  • Bear weight independently when the stimulator was turned on
  • Move with less stimulation after repeated stimulation and daily therapy
  • See increased muscle mass
  • Improve blood pressure regulation
  • Reduce fatigue
  • Recover improved bladder, bowel and sexual function
  • Regulate body temperature

One of the trial patients, Andrew Meas, shared his experience and stated, “With the stimulator, it feels like I’m normal again.”

The organization noted, “Our goal is to demonstrate the effectiveness of epidural stimulation in improving functions such as cardiovascular, sexual and bladder function, as well as the ability to facilitate voluntary movements. The study will also begin to track the impact of epidural stimulation to alleviate the financial burden of SCI on individuals and the healthcare system. Participants are expected to benefit from reduced medication and hospitalization expenses related to treating complications of paralysis. We also hope to reduce the threat of premature death caused by complications like autonomic dysreflexia.”

matthew-reeve-thumbDuring his interview with People Magazine last week, Reeve noted, “It’s hard not to think,’What if he was here and what if he was present for this breakthrough?’ As much as we miss him, there’s a comfort in the fact that we wouldn’t be where we are had it not been for his tireless advocacy. It’s a huge honor to continue the work [my father] started. I don’t come close to being as effective as he was, in terms of raising money and increasing awareness and his advocacy efforts, but it’s a cause that’s close to my heart.”

Also dubbing the treatment to be the ultimate “game changer,” Reeve added, “It’s no longer a question of if there will be effective treatments for spinal cord injury. It’s a question of how quickly we can get them to the people that need it most. My father dreamed of a world with empty wheelchairs and gave hope to a whole community. This is a key new step in that hope becoming realized.”

Those interested in funding the project may do so here.


Have a crowdfunding offering you'd like to share? Submit an offering for consideration using our Submit a Tip form and we may share it on our site!



Sponsored Links by DQ Promote