Courtesy of the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock: The Best Music Video for Katy Perry's "Roar" You'll See All Day

Recently, the patients and staff of the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hichcock got together to say thank you to all the participants of the annual CHaD HERO Half Marathon & Ripcord 5K. How did they decide to say thanks? With a little help from Katy Perry's song "Roar," they decided to put their dancing skills to use in a video-thank you card. Check out their great work below!

Samuel Nobile de Oliveira, a Paraplegic Man in Brazil, Builds His Own Ramp at Town Hall

After growing sick and tired with his public officials’ inaction, Samuel Nobile de Oliveira, a 41-year-old paraplegic man in Brazil, decided to build his own handicap ramp at the town hall. As he says, “Every time I come here I have to ask for help from someone to be able to come up…I Had the day off today and resolved to do this.”

Through his inspiring act, Nobile de Oliveira hopefully raised the awareness to push the town officials to act. As town mayor Hermes Bergamim announced afterwards, “I apologize to all disabled by the situations and constraints…We will take appropriate action in the city so this does not happen anymore.”

Check out the picture of Nobile de Oliveira taking matters into his own hands below and click the link to read more…

The Huffington Post: “Samuel Nobile de Oliveira, Paraplegic Man, Builds His Own Wheelchair Ramp in Brazil.”

The most inspiring art you'll see all day, from the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association

Whether or not you have an eye for art, it’s hard not to be impressed with the below pieces by members of The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association. The MFPA is an international organization that aims to unite disabled artists, now painting with the mouths or feet, and to encourage others to learn how to paint.  By helping the artists sell reprints of their work, on greeting cards and calendars for example, the MFPA helps it’s members support themselves financially while attaining “self-respect and creative fulfillment.”

Click here to visit the MFPA’s website to learn more

Painting by Ruben Rios, American member of the MFPA (Photo courtesy of the MFPA website)A painting of an American Harbor by Brom Wikstrom (Photo courtesy of the MFPA website)Mouth painter Ivar Benavides hard at work (Photo courtesy of the MFPA website)

The Inspiring Success of the Pediatric Neurocritical Care Program at St. Louis Children's

In 2005, the St. Louis Children’s Hospital implemented a pediatric neurocritical care program (PNCP) to better treat children with traumatic brain injuries. This program formed a team of doctors, nurses, and therapists from the neurosurgery, neurology, trauma surgery, and radiology departments at the hospital. The idea was that the united team of specialists was better equipped to identify and prevent secondary damage that can arise from head injuries, particularly damage due to brain swelling and intracranial pressure.

A recent case study of 123 children treated at the hospital for severe TBIs, either before or after the launch of the PNCP, has proven the effectiveness of such a program. According to the results, before the PNCP, 52% of children treated for TBI either passed away or required stays at long-term care facilities while, after the start of the program, only 33% faced such a fate. As Jose Pineda, MD, director of the PNCP, commented on the study: “We were amazed by the results. We analyzed the data rigorously, and we found that our new program of care resulted in a striking improvement in outcome for children with severe traumatic brain injury. Mortality for these children was dramatically reduced, and we also noted a meaningful improvement in outcome for survivors. We know that children who suffer traumatic brain injuries have long lives ahead and must reintegrate into society and be independent. That’s where we set the bar.” (Pineda is pictured above, all the way right, with fellow supporters of the High School Sports Brain Injury Prevention Act.)

Going forward, Pineda and his dedicated team are hoping to spread the word of their success and implement similar initiatives at other hospitals. 

Click here to read more on MedicalXpress: “Pediatric program for brain injuries saves lives, reduces disabilities” 

Also, check out the homepage of the pediatric neurocritical care program at St. Louis Children’s.

Ekso Bionics: Providing Hope through Innovation

Check out the below video to see the amazing work being done at Ekso Bionics. Through technology, the researchers at Ekso are hoping to help those who have lost the ability to walk to reclaim a sense of independence. As Joey Abicca, a 17-year-old who became paralyzed in an accident 3 years ago, describes the equipment, “It’s awesome — I love getting back up, even just standing up straight is awesome.”

Also, click here to read Brian Chen's article about Ekso in The New York Times, "New Breed of Robotics Aims to Help People Walk Again."