Archivi categoria: Cure Girls (English)

Blog Posts In English

Marina Romoli: I Want To Ride My Bike Again

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Marina: I want to ride my bike again!Hello, my name is Marina. Since childhood I have always loved sports and bikes. I was been a professional Marina: I'm a cure girl!cyclist for 4 years but on June 1st,2010 in a split second I lost everything.  I was hit by a car while training on the road. That caused me a spinal cord injury and a severe facial trauma. This accident left me paraplegic and several plastic surgeries have been necessary to repair my facial trauma. I never stopped hoping in a cure that can restore me as I was before. Everyday I undertake an intensive exercise regime but unfortunately, this alone does not cure spinal cord injury.marina romoli onlus

I think that only hope for us is to support medical research to find a cure for Chronic Spinal Cord injury. For that goal I have created a non-profit organization called Marina Romoli Onlus that aims to raise funds for chronic spinal cord injury research.

In my future I don’t see myself sitting in a wheelchair, we must be confident that the science will give us the solution!

The only way for us to get back to a really independent life is a cure for chronic spinal cord injury ! For this I am proud to be a Cure Girl!

Marina Romoli

Marina spoke about her story in an interview on Italian television (Dribbling Rai 2) on December 1st, 2012

http://www.rai.tv/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-d3b59f50-1361-4652-bfd8-64e1a0b9f202-raisport.html#set=ContentSet-75a7372f-276f-4869-8482-e07311948513&page=0

Lolly Mack: Skydive plans for ex-glamour model paralysed by clubber

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Saturday, November 24, 2012

Skydive plans for ex-glamour model paralysed by clubber

by Syma Mohammed

A former glamour model who was left completely paralysed after a tragic accident will be skydiving for charity in March.Lolly Mack

Lorraine Mack, 38, of De Beauvoir Town, was left immobile from the neck down after a man who had taken ecstasy and alcohol fell on her head from a balcony during a night out with friends in central London in 2004.

The brave woman will be jumping from the sky to raise money for a spinal research.

[ Lolly’s Skidive for Spinal Research: http://www.justgiving.com/Lolly-Mack ]

She said: “I’m trying to raise as much money as possible for spinal research. There are a lot of positive things happening in terms of research and clinical trials.

“I’m very positive that in time a cure will be found. My goal is to get on my feet and get my independence back.”

Paralysis

Prior to the accident, her career was taking off and she had appeared in The Sun, News of the World, FHM magazine and MTV. She recounts the night that changed her life, saying: “We went to a nightclub and a man fell from a balcony above me.

“He was 17 stone and landed on my head. My spinal cord was compressed and that’s what caused the complete paralysis.”

She spent 10 months in hospital, but said there was a lack of support once she left hospital.

Ms Mack continued: “My main thing was to stay fit and healthy. Exercise was a big part of my life. My family all made a commitment to fight this and try everything to get me on my feet again.”

With help from her family she bought a functional electrical stimulation (FES) bike, standing frame and the power plate, which has helped transform her life. She said: “The standing frame improves circulation, bone density and breathing. The power plate is a vibrating plate and helps to improve blood circulation and massages the limbs. The FES bike works out my arms and legs and prevents muscle wastage.”

Since her accident, she has regained some movement in her arms, and some feelings in her toes through using this equipment.

She added: Now I’ve got the use of my arms, I can do things like go on Facebook. I can do my make-up.

“I can feel my toe on my right foot. They are small things but they are big improvements.”

Positive

She said a positive attitude helped get her through, saying: “I’ve never been a negative person. I look forward. I have such a good support network.

“The only positive thing that has come out of this is the number of courageous people I have met. I have a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Cureforsci?fref=ts with 5,000 people from around the world who have different injuries.

“I try to give them advice. Even if I’m helping one person, then that’s worth it.”

http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk

http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/skydive_plans_for_ex_glamour_model_paralysed_by_clubber_1_1707510#.ULOC8be-U1I.facebook

A “CURE” Is What We Need To Make Our Dreams Possible

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I was an active sporting girl. I have a twin sister who I did everything with. I loved horses and lived for them. Working with all sorts of different horse disciplines, I fell in love with Polo, a wonderful sport. In 1995 it was just a normal day; we went to work, got our ponies down to the match. The horse I was on reared, exceptionally high and fell over backwards and landed on me. My back broke when I hit the floor, and then the horse stood on my leg and broke that too.

I was taken to the nearest hospital and had metal rods put into my back. I then moved to Stoke Mandeville. This accident left me paraplegic.

I didn’t stop living, I’m doing all I can, I’m married to a wonderful husband, Steve and have an amazing son, Milo who I had after the accident. My husband and son have never seen me walk.

I believe a Cure for spinal cord injury is on the horizon and I think we need to all push for that to come as soon as possible.

My aim is to somehow walk again, to join Steve and Milo on the beach that is just down the lane from the back of our home.
I more than anything want to get married again so I can walk down the aisle.
A cure is what we need to make these dreams possible, so together as Cure Girls we will fight until there is a Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Cure.

Rebecca Baudains

Cure Girl Lolly At The Spinal Research Reception Evening

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On 7th September 2012 I attended The Spinal Research Reception Evening at Kings College, London. I attend this every year as I think it’s extremely important to keep updated with what’s new on the research front.

Dr. Mark Bacon who is the Director of Research, did a talk on The Future of Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Repair – A Focus on Chondroitinaise.  Programme: http://www.spinal-research.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Programme.pdf

Chondroitinaise is a bacterial enzyme which is able to digest scar tissue that impedes nerve regeneration and stifles changes needed for effective rehabilitation. Researchers are currently looking to modify this enzyme into a form that is safe for use in humans so that it can be taken into clinical trials. This has already shown fantastic results in which treated animal models have reduced scarring, preserved nerve function in the injury zone and demonstrated better recovery of normal movements. This treatment holds great promise and has generated much excitement in the scientific community.

About Chondroitinaise: http://www.spinal-research.org/research/spinal-research-holds-reception-on-promising-therapy-chondroitinase/

There were also lab tours and a talk by Dan Eley who is the face of Spinal Research. Dan spoke about life after spinal cord injury and also the importance of physiotherapy. Keeping the body as fit and healthy as possible is imperative to be ready for a reversal for paralysis.
It was great to meet Dr. Mark Bacon at the end of the evening to thank him for his hard work into finding a cure for us and also telling him about our CURE GIRLS BLOG.

Cure Girl Lolly & Dr. M.Bacon

A very big thank you to all at SPINAL RESEARCH for a great evening. We need to raise as much money as we possibly can so that the researchers can carry on with these very important trials. Lolly’s Skidive for Spinal Research: http://www.justgiving.com/Lolly-Mack
Lolly Mack

About Spinal Research: http://www.spinal-research.org/about-us/ 

Read about Spinal Research achievements over the last year in the Annual Review 2011-12 – Available to download from Spinal Research website: http://www.spinal-research.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/SpinalAnnReview2011-12-final-web.pdf

Man Walked on the Moon, We Just Want to Walk on The Earth

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Man Walked on the Moon, We Just Want to Walk on The Earth

“2001. I was 32 years old…Many dreams, goals to reach, interests…And then the car accident… A Spinal Cord Injury which changed my life completely.

As a paraplegic I have been taught to face with my “new body”, to take care of it, to be the most possible independent women but already 11 years have past. To be able to do things differently in a wheelchair is not my greatest ambition.

I’m a Cure Girl! My goal is to Fight The Paralysis!

Arcangela: “I’m a Cure Girl”

Spinal cord injury research for a cure is always going on and what one day we thought impossible, we now know will be possible.

The spinal cord injury devastates our life. I think nobody will have to suffer a spinal cord injury anymore and I will fight to one day have a cure for chronic spinal cord injury.

 Arcangela Stefanetti

The Cure Girls Took Part In The Ride For Life 2012 Event.

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Faenza, Italy – On 18th November 2012 Riders 4 Riders organized the 3rd edition of Ride For Life. Ride for Life is a successful charity sport event.

Ride For Life – 18th November 2012, Faenza (Italy)

Goals of the event are to raise funds to help motorcyclists paralysed following a spinal cord injury and to support Research for a Cure for Spinal Cord Injuries .

Ride for Life

This year saw also the participation of the Italian cycling thanks to the collaboration with our Cure Girl Marina and her non-profit organization Marina Romoli Onlus.

Marina and R4R have worked hard and the collaboration Riders 4 Riders & Marina Romoli Onlus has been successful. The day was dedicated to the great sporting spectacle and charity, all united to fight for reverse for paralysis.

Well Done!

Riders For Riders Onlus: http://www.riders4riders.it/

Marina Romoli Onlus: http://www.marinaromolionlus.org/sito/

Cure Girls could not miss to support Marina Romoli Onlus and Riders 4 Riders

Cure Girls – On A Mission To Reverse Paralysis

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Cure Girls – On A Mission To Reverse Paralysis – Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Must Become Curable

curegirls.wordpress.com

Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Is Our Jail

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Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Is Our Jail

“In 2004 I sustained a spinal cord injury after a night out with friends. I was then told by doctors that not only would I not be able to walk but I would not be able to use my arms/hands too. I am tetraplegic. Complete devastation, loss of independence and also dignity. Not to be able to carry out the smallest of tasks such as wash my face, do your hair,make-up etc. Being completely reliant on other people.. all I can say is that it really is being like a prisoner in your own body.

I have a daily regime of physiotherapy five days per week for four hours per day. This is very important for when a CURE comes along.

Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Cure Is On The Horyzon https://www.facebook.com/Cureforsci

I try to live my life to the fullest while I’m in this situation.. I love travelling, fashion, doing crazy stuff and lots of socializing but I forever dream of the day when I can return to my former self. I am very lucky to have an amazing family and truly great friends who help me fight this devastating injury.

LOLLY MACK: “I’M A CURE GIRL!”

I am a FIGHTER and also a very positive person who truly believes that this situation is not forever. FREEDOM = CURE.”

 Lolly Mack

Rebecca:“I Wanna Be a Cure Girl”

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Rebecca Baudains: “I Wanna Be a Cure Girl!”

Hi, my name is Rebecca Baudains and I Wanna Be a Cure Girl!

I am from Jersey in the Channel Islands. Near England, but we are on an island.

I had a horseriding accident in June 95. I was 22. I am paraplegic. I believe we are all some day going to get the opportunity to stand if not walk. Even it is with some kind of help.

I want badly to be one of the girls to be cured just like all your cure girls. I live an “active” life. I work in a bank since having to retrain after my accident. I have done sponsored walk/pushes. I do the marathon relay in Jersey.

I have a young son who is 5 and a husband, neither of them has seen me walk. I want that, one day I’d like to get married again and walk down the aisle. And I hope I make it!

I think chronic spinal cord injury must be curable. I have heard so many reports of how scientists are developing cures and making rats walk again. For this reason, next year I will be raising all money for Unite 2 Fight Paralysis http://u2fp.org/ . 

Rebecca Baudains

We Want To Passionately Kiss Against A Tree…SPONTANEOUSLY

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WE WANT TO PASSIONATELY KISS AGAINST A TREE…SPONTANEOUSLY

What does this mean?

Spinal cord injury can deeper impact your relationships, security and future health. Spinal cord injury affects the way we live our lives. We cannot live a SPONTANEOUS life. We are always preoccupied worrying about health issues.

Spinal cord injuries are classified as either complete or incomplete.  An incomplete injury means that the ability of the spinal cord to convey messages to or from the brain is not completely lost. People with incomplete injuries retain some motor or sensory function below the injury.  A complete injury is indicated by a total lack of sensory and motor function below the level of injury. If the patient has the ability to contract the anal sphincter voluntarily or to feel a pinprick or touch around the anus, the injury is considered to be incomplete.

People who survive a spinal cord injury will most likely have medical complications:

  • chronic pain;
  • bladder and bowel dysfunction;
  • sexual dysfunction;
  • an increased susceptibility to respiratory and heart problems.

After Spinal cord injury, it is very common to experience dysfunction of the bowel and bladder, including infections of the bladder and anal incontinence. Often, people with a Spinal cord injury develop mental health problems as anxiety and depression.