Helping Those with Spinal Cord Injuries
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342176)
Rockingham, Australia
January 27, 2017 4:51pm CST
Australia Day, along with India's Republic Day, was on January 26th. We watched the Australia Day awards ceremony on TV. There are four categories: Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Australia's Local Hero and Australian of the Year.
The latter in 2017 was Emeritus Professor Alan Mackay-Sim who was given the award for his work on spinal cord injuries. Somewhere along the line, he discovered that nasal cells continually regenerate themselves and there is now very promising results using these cells in the spine to encourage regeneration in the spinal cord. In 2014, the mobility of a quadriplegic man was partially restored to the point where he can now walk with a frame.
Mackay-Sim's work with stem cells has resulted in better understanding of brain disorders and diseases. In his speech he appealed for continued funding for research saying that, if people could be restored to greater mobility, much money would be saved on caring for those afflicted with such problems.
The photo has nothing to do with anything but is copyright Vince Evans.
20 people like this
20 responses
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
27 Jan 17
We would love to see more work with stem cells done everything. It seems like all of these things just take too long for those waiting.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (342176)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jan 17
You're right. Some of these projects proceed very slowly.
@allknowing (137821)
• India
28 Jan 17
Lots is being said about stem cells and while on the subject there is also the umbilical cord blood stem cells that one is encouraged to store in stem cell banks. Do you know anything about it?
2 people like this
@allknowing (137821)
• India
28 Jan 17
@JudyEv I wonder if anyone has made use of it.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
27 Jan 17
Stem cell research is very promising. Kudos to this Emeritus Professor for his work!!! My husband is an Emeritus Professor, and although he's not involved in medical science, he has done his share in helping children with disabilities and has been recognized many times for it. My congrats to Vince for yet another fantastic photo.
2 people like this
@fuddhu (28)
•
28 Jan 17
i have been working as a nurse in neurosurgery dept for almost 6 years now.
There are many patients who are on ventilator for almost 2 years now.It 's quite a dilemma as neither can these patients be taken from ventilator nor can they move their limbs.
so, if this treatment works it would be a boon for them.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160978)
• United States
28 Jan 17
Wow, I had not heard of this research yet, but I am impressed and it does sound hopeful. Science does come up with some wonderful things and it is great when we share what we learn across borders, too.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342176)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jan 17
Gradually they are making progress in all sorts of ways.
@JudyEv (342176)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jan 17
My brother always had bad sight and eventually become totally blind several decades ago so I know how you feel. It is sad for all the people who will miss out on being helped by these new developments.
@JudyEv (342176)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jan 17
I suppose you could be forgiven for thinking that. Those vertebrae would be a bit of a worry.:)
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
28 Jan 17
Yes I have heard of this discovery and hopefully one day they will be able to regenerate these cells to help repair damaged spinal cords.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
28 Jan 17
Wow, that is excellent news @JudyEv . The human body is an amazing thing.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342176)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jan 17
Our Prime Minister presented him with the award so I hope he was listening.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
28 Jan 17
It will be great to see this work for everyone for those kind of injuries in the future.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
28 Jan 17
that's pretty cool, that there are cells in the nose that can regenerate and be useful elsewhere! Going from being a quadriplegic to any kind of walking and moving again had to be a huge deal for them
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
28 Jan 17
Wow. Hope he's able to continue his work and make progress.
1 person likes this
