Mt. Vernon Register-News - ‘Wicked’ helps area student with cerebral palsy to improve communication skills

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‘Wicked’ helps area student with cerebral palsy to improve communication skills: "MT. VERNON — Many people remember watching “The Wizard of Oz” during childhood and even throughout their adult years. The current musical “Wicked” expands upon the movie by revealing what led up to Dorothy’s arrival, and just like the movie, it has a magical quality that keeps fans coming back to see it again and again."

via Mt. Vernon Register-News

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Latest Update on DoD, DARPA, and Dean Kamen's Prostheses - Medgadget - www.medgadget.com

Latest Update on DoD, DARPA, and Dean Kamen's Prostheses - Medgadget - www.medgadget.com: "We have followed the Defense Department's investment in developing advanced prosthesis spurred by noted medical technology developer Dean Kamen. Over the weekend, CBS 60 Minutes, took us on a behind the scenes tour of Dean Kamen's company, DEKA, and the most recent advancements in prosthesis development."

Smart Power-Assist Module

Smart Power-Assist Module: "Power assistance for a manual wheelchair is a new technology which helps people use manual wheelchairs despite limited strength or endurance. In a power assisted manual wheelchair, the traditional rear wheels are replaced with motorized hubs that serve to magnify the force applied to the rear wheels by the user. AT Sciences is using power assistance as the basis for a Smart Power Assistance Module that provides independent mobility to non-ambulatory individuals with visual impairments. This product uses sensors to detect obstacles and drop-offs near the wheelchair, and uses the motorized hubs to help the wheelchair user avoid obstacles."

Brain Injury Survivor Speaks Out

Brain Injury Survivor Speaks Out: "Brain injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in people under the age 45. March is also recognized as Brain Injury Awareness Month in Virginia.

A local survivor shares her story of coping after a severe head injury. Her daily walk is now therapeutic, but for Anne Thomas, it's taken a while to get back to this point.

Four years ago, she fell, hit the back of her head and suffered a brain injury.

'My perception was that I gently hit the ground, hit my head and went kabang,' says Thomas.

Doctors kept her in the hospital overnight and told her she'd be back to normal in a week. However, that didn't happen.

She suffered long-term damage that caused her trouble concentrating, hallucinations and depression as well as affecting her relationship with her husband."

Dayle McIntosh Center: "Windmills" Attitudinal Training Program

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Bill Would Let Copycats Compete With Biotech Drugs - NYTimes.com

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A version of the legislation that was much friendlier to large drug makers passed the Senate health committee last year but died without being voted on. Emboldened by President Obama’s election and larger Democratic majorities in Congress, consumer advocates pressed for a less industry-friendly bill. They got it."

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BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | Wonder calls for accessible technology

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BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | Wonder calls for accessible technology: "Soul legend Stevie Wonder is calling on technology companies to make their gadgets more accessible to blind people."

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