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?
I wouldn't know. I wasn't there and obviously you did not attend the meeting either. I'm not into creating innuendoes about someone being dishonest in their voting or perpetuating conspiracy theories. Certainly having been to that rehab center and trying the equipment out first hand he'd have knowledge on if it was any good or not. He wouldn't be blind on what they were talking about huh? Kessler had the rehab walking programs long before he was ever paralyzed or got rehabilitation.
Part of that would be to recues yourself if you are involved in anyway with the treatment/equipment but, grammy you already said that was a plus.
If one needs to abstain on a particular vote by law, then so be it. I do know members that may have a conflict of interest are asked to leave the room when certain votes are taken. (I've seen many of these state review board meetings such as New York and some take place live on the internet via webcast.) I was not at this open public meeting so therefor did not see this round of grant applications being voted on.
However to have a bright experienced SCI person in a wheelchair on that committee that knows what is going on in the NJ field is priceless and one should respect that he's donating his time to help the commission on behalf of the sci community. Not everyone has the time or inclination to do so.
However to have a bright experienced SCI person in a wheelchair on that committee that knows what is going on in the NJ field is priceless and one should respect that he's donating his time to help the commission on behalf of the sci community. Not everyone has the time or inclination to do so.
Not really if that bright person in the wheelchair knows what's going on in the NJ field that he has close ties to certain researchers or organizations. Would you want Jim Bennett on that board? He's bright, he's in a wheelchair. He's also a fanatical supporter of one researcher. So far we have identified 2 individuals on the spinal cord comm having questionable conflicts of interest..
Grass roots advocacy fertilized by Big Pharma-DICHOTOMY at it's best
I need to switch my brain on, im kinda lost here guys
The discussion was about using the advocacy model left behind by the aids movement. Lara pointed out we need to get our people on different boards, and the discussion moved to the board appointees on the NJ Commission on Spinal Cord Injury.
Grass roots advocacy fertilized by Big Pharma-DICHOTOMY at it's best
I also think the aids movement learned quickly how to join together even with the other people in their movement they may not have liked, back then it was known as the gay disease and many of these activists were coming out of the closet for the first time. So they had a strong common bond. They were angry. They fought for treatments. What I've seen with spinal cord injury is totally opposite. They were taught to be appreciative and accept the trickle down theory that if we raise enough money for the research just maybe we will get something back.
Grass roots advocacy fertilized by Big Pharma-DICHOTOMY at it's best
So what are we doing wrong bob, do we need to fight harder?
No, we aren't doing anything wrong. Fighting harder would be a good thing, but we don't have any type of organization to rally behind. Most if not all of the spinal cord injury orgs become a part of the established research/medical community. They may have started out on the right path, but in time they start to enjoy the gala meetings and notoriety and enjoy breaking bread with some of the rock star scientists. The life of their organization becomes of utmost importance overshadowing their original goals.
You bet your ass we need to fight harder
Grass roots advocacy fertilized by Big Pharma-DICHOTOMY at it's best
So have you ever considered starting your own organization that'll be different to the rest?
I don't think we are ready for that yet, I think too many still believe the promises and hype. Although parents are good advocates I would rather be in a support type position to someone with SCI. It works better that way. Most often people come to forums and after a few years move on. Through education maybe we can hold on to some of those interested in activism.
I need to switch my brain on, im kinda lost here guys
The discussion was about using the advocacy model left behind by the aids movement. Lara pointed out we need to get our people on different boards, and the discussion moved to the board appointees on the NJ Commission on Spinal Cord Injury.
I don't think people on this forum have really bought into any hype or promises. I think we are looking for information and web sites that can give us information on the latest and most promising science.