2005-04-26
It’s a small, small world story: Several months ago Lois tried to get into a unique research program here that had great success with stroke patients. We met with Dr. Susan Bennett and found that Lois did not quite qualify due to not being able to move her hand and arm to the study qualifications. We then tried again to convince Dr. Bennett through Lois’s neurologist and through her physical therapist without much progress. We had all but given up on the idea of being in the program. On Tuesday night Christopher and I went to a fundraiser called Dining Out for Life (a present of the proceeds from dinners at a number of local restaurants were donated to local AIDS groups). The guest hostess at the restaurant we went to was none other than Dr. Susan Bennett. With little to loose, I was able to speak with her and state again how interested Lois was about being in her program. It could have been the more relaxed setting (i.e. a little wine) or Dr. Bennett is just getting tried of our persistence, but she told me that they were starting a new research program where individuals who could not quite get into her other program could start and hopefully progress into the higher-level program. This one gives being in the right place at the right time new meaning.
Also, one of our excellent workers (Janette) noted a news story in Rochester, NY about a new type of devise that helps stroke patient’s rehab. The doctor who designed the machine was Dr. Tom Sugar. (Lois’s first husband and the one she kept the “Sugar” from was named Tom) He did not look like her ex-husband she said. I have contacted the company for more information using the “Sugar” angle as a way to get in. The clinical trials are currently all in Arizona but we have been sent info on the device and it may be possible to bring a study to Buffalo with Lois as the first patient. This device helps a person who has lost use of the hand and arm by helping the individual move the limb with air driven hydraulics and repetitive motion. It just recently received FDA approval and has shown great success in early trials. Stay tuned for an update on both these issues.