I think a focus on this would serve well for the future. There will be many individuals from the SCI community with the intellectual capacity to able to become educated on matters of SCI research sufficiently to be able to make their contribution and difference at meetings with research grant boards and scientists etc.
A good place to start would be to find those scientifically minded people.
You need surveys where individuals add their email address. The survey can be focused on seeking out those scientifically minded people who display an interest in these matters but do not have the understanding as yet. Promote the survey/questionnaire on forums, at rehab units, official SCI websites.
Then collate your responses and contact those to see if they would like to become attend a course...?
I think a focus on this would serve well for the future. There will be many individuals from the SCI community with the intellectual capacity to able to become educated on matters of SCI research sufficiently to be able to make their contribution and difference at meetings with research grant boards and scientists etc.
Just thoughts
We have to be careful with that one it could give us a false sense of well being
Jan 9, 2014 7:47:00 GMT -5 bob said:
The NJ Comm on spinal cord research was a topic discussed on carecure and some wanted to send signed petitions to the governor (gov Christe himself is now in a scandal called bridgegate).
The idea was heavily fought against by Wise Young. What's also interesting about that is on the board the civilian board member is a very strong supporter of Dr Young and a carecure member.
So, partisan members planted on a review or grant board can be damaging-Just as damaging as the Chris Christie appointee to the Port Authority who gave the orders to shut the lanes down on the George Washington Bridge. So if you are suggesting we monitor those review/grant boards and their appointees that would be a big step forward
Grass roots advocacy fertilized by Big Pharma-DICHOTOMY at it's best
In order to make boards look ethical they place a civilian on it, but often that civilian is biased and loyal to the party that seated him so it defeats the purpose
In the case of the NJ Commission on Spinal Cord Injury:
The Commission establishes and oversees the operations of the grants process and other activities that are implemented by its administrative staff. Eleven uncompensated Commissioners are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, and serve for three-year terms. Five Commission seats are designated by statute to represent the state’s major academic research institutions and stakeholders. Public members provide a diversity of backgrounds and interests united by a shared commitment to the cause of spinal cord research. Any qualified person wishing to be considered for appointment may submit his or her name to the Governor’s Office of Appointments. The Commission will always have one or more individuals from each of the following institutions and categories: The Commissioner of the NJDHSS, or designee (voting ex-officio member University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Model System (Kessler Foundation Research Center) Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation (American Paralysis Foundation) Public Members (at least one spinal cord physician and a spinal cord injured individual)) NEW JERSEY COMMISSION ON SPINAL CORD RESEARCH
Grass roots advocacy fertilized by Big Pharma-DICHOTOMY at it's best
at the risk of sounding totally ignorant bob, when you say there is a civilian on the board. What do you mean by the term "civilian"
There are "six public members" who are residents of the State knowledgeable about spinal cord injuries and who include at least one physician licensed in this State and at least one person with a spinal cord injury. These six public members are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
You can check to see who these people are. I believe 3 are in wheelchairs listed on the front website:
John Del Collee was Associate Executive Director of the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association November 1976 – June 2006 (29 years 8 months), James McCormack: paralyzed. Managing Partner Advanced Movement Technologies 2011 – Present (3 years) Advancing Therapeutic Medical Technology for people who suffer from paralysis due to Spinal cord injury Member of New Jersey Commission for Spinal Cord Injury Research 2012 – 2013 (1 year) Managing Partner JimmyJacks Sub Co. 2005 – 2008 (3 years) Owner Southside Group 2001 – 2005 (4 years) Area Director JMFS 1997 – 2001 (4 years) United Parcel Service Area Supervisor United Parcel Service 1989 – 1993 (4 years) and Michael Rhode: paralyzed: Works with Ekso Skeleton and trains for the NY City Marathon when he can.
Anyone from New Jersey wanting to participate and help on the board (it's not a paid position) can send a letter of interest to the governor's office.
The commission shall consist of 11 total members, including the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, or his designee, who shall serve ex officio; one representative of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; one representative of Rutgers, The State University; one representative of the federally designated Spinal Cord Injury Model System; one representative from the American Paralysis Association; and six public members who are residents of the State knowledgeable about spinal cord injuries and who include at least one physician licensed in this State and at least one person with a spinal cord injury. The members shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Grammy, the link you provided does not work. But, back to the question asked by tbone, it was about civilian members which I don't think Rutgers or umdnj qualify. Yes they may be public but not civilian.
Grass roots advocacy fertilized by Big Pharma-DICHOTOMY at it's best
Out of the 3 "public members" clearly 2 have a conflict of interest. Mike Rhodes works for Esko Skeleton and Jimmy McCormack with Advanced Movement Technologies not only that Jimmy is a member of CareCure and a friend of Dr. Young. The other public member, John Del Collee, also may have ties to people in the industry.
Also, I would appreciate in order to keep the flow of the thread in order, if you want to edit your post to add more info and somebody has already replied to your post, rather than editing starting a new post would help keeping it in chronological order
Out of the 3 "public members" clearly 2 have a conflict of interest. Mike Rhodes works for Esko Skeleton and Jimmy McCormack with Advanced Movement Technologies not only that Jimmy is a member of CareCure and a friend of Dr. Young. The other public member, John Del Collee, also may have ties to people in the industry.
I think everyone has logged in as members to post on the carecure forum as well as many people having met each other. The law doesn't state that the members have to be jobless.
If you read more carefully, you'll see I didn't say Michael works for Esko. He's worked with Esko skeleton, in fact it was at Kessler.
Michael Rhode, from Monmouth Beach, NJ, sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) in a skiing accident. Despite paralysis below the waist and limited upper body strength, he never stopped pursuing his passion for sports. He has also been an avid participant in Kessler Foundation’s mobility research. In October, Mike took his first steps since his injury in Ekso—a robotic, battery-powered exoskeleton being tested by Foundation researchers. Mike also participates in locomotor training at Kessler, which is part of the Reeve Foundation’s NeuroRecovery Network that is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. In April, Kessler Foundation sponsored his trip to Louisville, KY, to participate in the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon.
Mike was part of Team Reeve, who had some members in wheelchairs. The team competed in the relay race. Mike began on mile marker 21 and was prepared to race for three miles in his manual wheelchair. But when the road split, he made a wrong turn. Instead of traveling on the mini-marathon course, he proceeded on the marathon course. With his girlfriend by his side to help him up the hills, he pushed himself to complete his turn—5.5 miles. It seemed only fitting for a man who never takes the easy way out and always pushes himself to “go the extra mile.”
Aside from the relay, Mike enjoyed his time in Kentucky. “It was an honor to represent Team Reeve,” he said. “I felt motivated and inspired as I met people that I’ve read about over the years and built connections. We’re already discussing projects that we’d like to collaborate on in the future. I appreciate Kessler Foundation’s support so I could have these experiences.”
Mike was recently awarded a grant from the Challenged Athletes Foundation for a handcycle wheelchair—a racing chair that uses hand controls to steer. He’s putting the chair to use as he trains for the New York City Marathon in November. Kessler Foundation is proud to be a part of Mike’s journey as he shows everyone around him that he can still achieve his goals. His participation in SCI research has more than personal benefits—it contributes to the advances that are helping others with paralysis. Here is Mike:
John Del Collee served with the Paralyzed Vets for over 29 years.
As far as unpaid volunteers that are knowledgeable about SCI and willing to help out, I doubt there were tons of people offering themselves up. Hopefully more people will volunteer with the governors office.
Out of the 3 "public members" clearly 2 have a conflict of interest. Mike Rhodes works for Esko Skeleton and Jimmy McCormack with Advanced Movement Technologies not only that Jimmy is a member of CareCure and a friend of Dr. Young. The other public member, John Del Collee, also may have ties to people in the industry.
I think everyone has logged in as members to post on the carecure forum as well as many people having met each other. The law doesn't state that the members have to be jobless. Did you apply to the governors office to be on the commission to help out?
It's not that Jimmy just logged onto carecure, he was very fond of Wise and in fact catered some of Young's events. Jobless, I didn't say that, certainly there are many occupations that have nothing to do with treating spinal cord injury to avoid a conflict of interest.
Grass roots advocacy fertilized by Big Pharma-DICHOTOMY at it's best
Pretty interesting isn't it NEW JERSEY COMMISSION ON SPINAL CORD RESEARCH INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH GRANT RECIPIENTS: Gail Forrest, Ph.D. Grant Award: $574,976 Kessler Foundation Project Title: Non-Ambulatory SCI Walk Using a Robotic Exoskeleton: Effect on Bone and Muscle Functional gains after spinal cord injury
Did mike vote on that one?
Grass roots advocacy fertilized by Big Pharma-DICHOTOMY at it's best