News
Amputee Football Player Shines On The Field
November 15th 2021
A Pine Belt athlete is inspiring others by moving beyond limitations. Ethan Belk, 14, is a football player at Purvis High School. The ninth grader is a running back, who doesn’t let his disability stop him from getting on the field. “I was about 5 years old when it happened, and it…
NIH Allocates $1.7M For Research On Lower-Limb Exoskeleton
November 4th 2021
The National Institutes of Health has awarded the University of Michigan $1.7 million to develop a special powered exoskeleton designed for the lower limbs.
U-M’s team aims to create a modular exoskeletal system for use on one or more leg joints -- a less bulky alternative to full-body suits. According…
Study Evaluates Diabetic Footwear And Balance
October 26th 2021
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major problem worldwide, especially among elderly. Diabetic patients are prone to develop neuropathy at their feet and ankles. The incidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) among newly diagnosed diabetic patients is approximately 30%. This increases to approximately 50% in patients diagnosed with DM for more…
Researchers Develop Prosthetic Ankle To Help With Balance
October 13th 2021
Prosthetics can greatly improve an amputee’s quality of life, yet current lower-limb devices can’t provide continuous neural control of balance or posture, which can lead to a variety of consequences, such as difficulty walking on certain surfaces or an increased likelihood to fall. Now, NIBIB-funded researchers are working on an…
Bombing Survivor Competing in Paralympic Games
September 21st 2021
Haven Shepherd's life could have ended shortly after it started. She was born in Vietnam, the result of an affair between her married father and another woman. For reasons that may never be fully clear — from potential societal shunning to financial hardship — her biological mother and father decided to…
9-year Old Amputee Breaking Junior Paralympian Records
September 7th 2021
To fully understand Ayla’s most recent wins, let's go back seven years. She was two years old. Born without most of her right foot and fibula, Ayla had her leg amputated so that she could wear prosthetics. Five years later, it's time to run. "She tried out for the team and made it…
Bilateral Amputee Recogonzied First To Complete NYC Marathon
August 24th 2021
We've all heard the saying in life: It's a marathon, not a sprint.
That certainly was the case for Deb Marcuccilli, 66, a Mendon resident, when she finished the 1994 New York City Marathon in 13 hours and 58 minutes. Twenty-seven years after walking the New York City Marathon on a…
Plant-Based Diet Best for Your Heart
August 10th 2021
Want to be good to your ticker? Load up on veggies — especially beans, Italian researchers recommend. They've published a comprehensive review of research on eating habits and heart disease that provides consistent evidence that eating less salt and animal proteins and more plant-based foods is associated with a lower risk of…
Woman Walks A Mile Using Robotic Exoskeleton
July 22nd 2021
For 10 years, Diana Pelletier has had one day that has been mostly about herself. Every year in June, she has taken part in some activity celebrating life to help reclaim the day that left her paralyzed from the chest down. She calls this annual event Reclaiming the Day. This year,…
Michigan Amputee To Use Adaptive Bike In Race
July 8th 2021
The Michigan Adventure Race - Cannonsburg Edition, is all set for this weekend near Grand Rapids. Among the competitors this year is West Michigan Veterinarian Dr. Jim Kober. His involvement is noteworthy outside of the adventure elements of the event. Dr. Kolber lost a good portion of his right arm in a…