Recently, the Reeve Foundation reported that four young men living with spinal cord injury (SCI) were able to move their legs and stand as a result of epidural stimulation of the spinal cord. Even more surprisingly, all four experienced significant improvements in autonomic functions, including bladder, bowel and sexual control, as well as temperature regulation. This video tells the story, it is truly amazing!!
This signals a breakthrough for the millions living with paralysis who combat a host of daily complications due to the inability to control autonomic functions. As a result, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation have launched a campaign that will redefine what it means to live with SCI. This initiative, called The Big Idea, will support the next phase epidural stimulation research and recruit 36 new candidates to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention in restoring autonomic functions, movement below the injury level, as well as the ability to stand.
The goal of The Big Idea – one of the most ambitious efforts in Reeve Foundation history – is to raise $15 million. To reach this target, they need the community to rally like never before. The mission is simple: To prove the effectiveness of epidural stimulation and challenge the notion that the spinal cord, once damaged, cannot be repaired. From there, the plan is to expand the program to hundreds, then thousands of people…but it all starts with the first 36.
Here are four ways to show your support:
- Email your friends, family, colleagues, neighbours, and anyone you can to encourage them to spread the word on The Big Idea.
- Post to Facebook or Twitter about the cause, linking to www.ReeveBigIdea.org and using hashtags #36for36 and #JoinReeve.
- Visit the Reeve Foundation’s Facebook page and share Matthew Reeve’s post about The Big Idea.
- Post the image in this article to your Instagram account, using the hashtags #JoinReeve and #36for36, or take an Instagram photo of yourself holding a sign that says www.ReeveBigIdea.org.
This is more than a chance to support critical research – it’s an opportunity to transform lives. Every great idea is built on a dream. Christopher Reeve dreamed of a world of empty wheelchairs, and the Reeve Foundation is confident this breakthrough will move us closer to that dream. “Every movement has its moment. This is ours.” #JoinReeve