United Spinal and SCI-FIT Announce Treatment Scholarships for People with Spinal Cord Injury/Disease

Funds for Cutting-Edge Gait Training Therapy in Pleasanton, CA

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Apr 23, 2015, 09:10 ET

NEW YORK, April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association and the Everyday Abilities Foundation are offering scholarships to 10 qualified individuals living with spinal cord injuries or disorders (SCI/D) in the San Francisco Bay Area to receive complimentary state-of-the-art gait training treatment at SCI-FIT in Pleasanton, CA.

"These scholarships will offer individuals with SCI/D the unique opportunity to benefit from cutting-edge therapy that could help improve their quality of life and independence," said Tom Shankle, president of the San Francisco Bay Chapter of United Spinal Association.

As part of this awards program, United Spinal Association has donated two of the leading gait training therapy machines––the Robomedica StepGain-GRF, manufactured by Robomedica, Inc. and the Lokomat Nanos, manufactured by Hocoma–– to be used at SCI-Fit, an accessible exercise facility in Pleasanton, CA.

Awardees will receive two weekly sessions using one or both machines for one year. Each session will include approximately 15 minutes of set-up and 45 minutes of therapy.

"Many in the SCI/D community face challenges finding and using accessible exercise equipment. It is often too costly to purchase, or too far away to access. We're excited to be able to provide access to these amazing machines," added Shankle.

Gait training is physical therapy for assisted walking (also called ambulation). Some of the benefits of gait training therapy for people with SCI include: lower risk of pressure sores, decreased spasticity, better circulation, and promotion of bone and joint development.

To apply and learn more about specific qualifications, please visit: http://unitedspinal.org/pdf/scholarship.pdf. Submissions must be received by June 1.

About United Spinal Association
United Spinal is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post-polio. It played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with SCI/D. United Spinal was instrumental in getting New York City to create sidewalk curb ramps and accessible public transportation that has been used as a model for many United States cities.

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Media contact:

Ahvi Spindell
Spindell Media Relations, LLC
United Spinal Association
(212) 580-4567
[email protected]
Twitter @ahvispin

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SOURCE United Spinal Association