History

MAJOR INITIATIVES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1987 SCITCS was incorporated by Anton Melnyk Q.C. (R)  with Craig Simpson Honorary President SCITCS. Louise Miller (L) became the President, Lila Pearce Vice President. Anton Melnyk Q.C. has continued to provide pro bono legal advice to SCITCS.

1988 SCITCS purchased 5 Hand –Held stimulators from Dejan Popovic Ph.D. (Centre) from Yugoslavia to allow 5 people with a spinal cord injury (SCI) to stand and walk. SCITCS Project Walk began. Brian Andrews Ph.D. (R) Applied FES Researcher University of Alberta.

The research into walking using FES was conducted by Richard Stein Ph.D. Division of Neuroscience, University of Alberta and Dejan Popovic Ph.D.

1989 SCITCS held it’s first of three extraordinary successful Fashion Shows, the brainchild of Donna Zazaluk, whose brother in law had sustained a SCI; the models were people with SCI and their family and friends.

The first Craig Simpson Celebrity Never Say “Never” golf tournament took place as a fundraiser for SCITCS. As of 2006 the golf tournament is in its 17th very successful year. The funds raised have enabled SCITCS to create opportunities to help others to help themselves.

SCITCS first Newsletter was published. 

1990 we presented the first Ergys Rehabilitation System to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital that allows people with SCI to exercise their legs using Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) resulting in a cardio workout.

1991 The Wild Rose Foundation, an Alberta Government Foundation, provided SCITCS with $26,800 to purchase a second Ergys 1 computerized exercise bicycle that was donated to the Rick Hansen Centre situated at the University of Alberta. The cheque was presented by Jim Dinning the Minister responsible for the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. The first Ergys System was transferred from the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital to the Rick Hansen Centre. 

First annual general meeting and picnic held. Accessible jet boats a great success 

1992 we donated a Neuro-Educator and Bio-Feed Back equipment to the Rick Hansen Centre

 -we donated two Therarest mattresses to the Glenrose rehabilitation hospital for use by SCI patients

1993 The University of Alberta created the SCITCS FES Clinic in recognition of SCITCS initiative in acquiring FES and their annual financial support that continues into 2006. The President of the University of Alberta, Paul Davenport (L)) officiated at the ceremony.

Four $300 Bursaries were given to people with a SCI who graduated from local colleges.

Louise received the Canadian Rehabilitation Council for the Disabled award for outstanding leadership

1994 Lila Ward (first left) and Larry Ward (far right) began collecting the aluminum tabs off cans as a fundraiser for project wheelchairs. It takes 8million 700 thousand tabs to purchase a manual wheelchair so they recruited everyone from restaurants to schools in different areas of the province. The tab collection continues in 2006

We participated in the Woman's Show to promote awareness of SCI. SCITCS continues to have a booth on an annual basis.

1995 The fire halls became partners people-could and can drop off their tabs and SCITCS volunteers pick them up. 

We competed against 28 agencies to decorate a portion of the Worlds longest cake SCITCS won the First Prize of $1500. The competition was to celebrate West Edmonton Mall’s Phase 3’s – 10th Anniversary.
Nor’Westers Athletic Association assisted SCITCS in its fundraising efforts and has continued to do so.

1996 SCITCS Project Wheelchair/Tab Program donates its first manual wheelchair

Jody Fraser SCITCS vice-president, who has quadriplegia, graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in Law. He is presently employed as a Crown Prosecutor and is a past president of SCITCS. 

1997 SCITCS initiated and organized a Travel Fair to inform Travel Agents and others in the Travel Business of the needs of travelers with disabilities. 

SCITCS is recognized for the unique fundraiser tab collection by winning the silver Laurel award. Lila Ward (L) Jean Ursulak (R) Secretary, Louise Miller (Centre) President of SCITCS

SCITCS gave a donation to the Rick Hansen Centre to develop the Row-Stim equipment to allow people with SCI to exercise their arms and legs providing an improved cardio workout. To date $28,000 has been donated for this development.

Louise Miller SCITCS president recognized for her many contributions by being awarded the Global Woman of Vision and winning the YWCA Woman of Distinction. Recognized for her contributions to the City of Edmonton by receiving a City of Edmonton Award of Excellence 

1998 An electric scooter was presented to the Disabled Students Association at the University of Alberta. 

SCITCS created the Louise Miller Bursary, which reads, “in recognition of her tireless dedication to the needs of the spinal cord injured, her pioneering efforts in the acquisition of FES technology and in recognition of her leadership in the origin, operation and development of the SCITCS organization and its network,” presented annually at the University of Alberta to a graduating student with a disability. 

Louise received the "Integrity Award" from the Glenora Rotary Club.

1999 Row-Stim was added to the FES exercise equipment in the SCITCS FES Clinic at the University of Alberta. Demonstrated by Bohdan Olijnyk, the first person to assist the researchers in the development trials and a SCITCS Board Member.

2000 Louise Miller received The Order of Canada presented to Canadians who exemplify the highest qualities of citizenship and whose contributions enrich the lives of their contemporaries.

Louise Miller with Donna Harker of The Edmonton Sun at the book signing held at Audreys book store

SCITCS donated the funding to print the local best selling book produced by Louise Miller titled “Daring to Live” 12 stories of people living a successful life following a devastating life experience. SCITCS continues to present a copy of the book to each patient with a SCI on the Neurological Unit at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. 

2001 SCITCS supported research into the propensity of people with SCI to develop Type 2 diabetes and the impact of exercise to reduce this tendency. The research was done by Justin Jeon a postgraduate student who was recently accepted at Harvard University.

Jody Fraser SCITCS president was one of 8 alumni to be honored with the Alumni Horizon Award from the University of Alberta to recognize people who have had outstanding achievements early in their careers. 

2002 SCITCS celebrated its 15th Anniversary with a barbecue.

SCITCS provided $20,000, to the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine for the Centre for Ambulatory Rehabilitation Research & Education. (CARRE), for walking research.

Louise received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal from The Honorable Lois Hole.

2003 SCITCS celebrated the 10th anniversary of the SCITCS FES Clinic with the Director Bob Steadward PhD.

Louise was one of five alumni to be honored with the Alumni Award of Excellence from the University of Alberta to recognize specific, recent accomplishments.

2004 Funding provided for a therapist from the USA to present training in the use of the Ergys Rehabilitation System to a number of the staff at The Steadward Centre (recently re-named)

SCITCS provided funding to the “Inclusion or Illusion” conference at the University of Alberta.

SCITCS donated exercise equipment (called a Rickshaw), to The Steadward Centre, that enables people with quadriplegia to strengthen their arms to assist them to transfer.

SCITCS presented the first SCITCS $500 award to an Occupational or Physical Therapist who has made a significant contribution through research, clinical practice, rehabilitation, or service to enhance the quality of life of clients with a Spinal Cord Injury. Presented at the Alberta Rehabilitation Coordinating Council (ARCC) annual awards dinner.

2005 SCITCS presented a proposal (See ABOUT US to download) in March to the Hon. Gary Mar MLA to consider the establishment of an accessible Provincial Park fixed roof facility in the Northern part of the Province. It is our understanding that the Provincial Government is giving this serious consideration.

We identified a need for a totally accessible rental van that a person with SCI could drive. We spent a year exploring this with lawyers, personnel from Shoppers and Driving Force (a rental company) we commend Jeff Polovick and his management team of Driving Force who have included two fully accessible vans for rent, anticipated arrival 2006.

SCITCS initiated a meeting of interested individuals to address the serious matter of Pressure Wounds. The outcome resulted in a literature review a first step in the prevention of the development of pressure wounds. (See RESEARCH for additional information)

SCITCS held monthly pizza parties for the 15 patients on the neurological unit and their guests. Thirty people attended the first SCITCS Christmas dinner that was catered by Elizabethan Catering Services.

The Never Say..”Never” golf tournament was by far the most successful in the16-year history of the event. 150 golfers participated. Scott who has paraplegia demonstrated walking using Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) SCITCS has donated over $500,000 to promote and support applied FES research. See video of Scott walking in SCITCS NEWS. 

SCITCS Casino was also a very successful event. Monies raised were used to purchase additional FES Equipment and to support applied research. See Future for additional information

Louise received the Alberta Centennial Medal that recognizes and honours the outstanding achievements of Albertans who have gone to great lengths to make their Province a better place to live, work and do business

2006 June 20th the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry created and named the "SCITCS FES Research Laboratory" to recognize SCITCS donation of two SpectraSTIM 4M 4 channel muscle stimulators, two  Ergys 2 Clinical Rehabilitation Systems and Accessories, one Ergys Data Management Station, a              Concept ll rower with adaptations and an Arm Cranking Trainer with the ReHa stimulator. The first of its  kind in North America. John Miller President SCITCS (L)  proudly accepts a commemorative plaque from  Dr Jody Ginsberg MD Vice-Dean of the Faculty.

$3007 July Donated to SCITCS FES Clinic to upgrade the computer system and accessories on one of the Ergys 2 Bikes

SCITCS provides five $500 awards to graduating students with a disability, attending Grant MacEwan, NAIT, NorQuest, and the University of Alberta. One of the requirements of the award is that the recipient volunteers for an organization involved with people with disabilities.

September Brian Andrews Ph.D. of Oxford University  in the UK (bottom R) and Robin Gibbons (Top R) Head of FES Rowing ASPIRE National Training Centre  "the fastest rower with paraplegia in the world"  (see his story in the SCITCS Newsletter) visited researchers at the University of Alberta to promote FES  rowing to maintain the health of people with SCI. SCITCS donated $28,000 to the development of the adaptations to allow people with paraplegia and quadriplegia to exercise their upper and lower limbs resulting in an improved cardiovascular workout. See History 1999 Bohdan Olijnyk is demonstrating the rowing machine in the SCITCS FES Clinic

September 29th Kelly Brunton, physiotherapist with the Centre for Ambulatory Rehabilitation Research and Education (CARRE) was presented with the SCITCS $500 award for providing excellent and compassionate care, assisting individuals with spinal cord injuries to gain functional, independent walking. SCITCS donated $20,000 approx. to the CARRE Walking Again Research Program

$23,413 donated November-December to the SCITCS FES Clinic for staff development, accessories to repair the Ergys System, to purchase a third Ergys System and an additional 4 channel stimulator. To be used to expand the FES programme and to maintain the FES equipment for people with a spinal cord injury in the SCITCS FES Clinic.

 $26,420 total donated to the SCITCS FES Clinic for the year 2006

December SCITCS donated a Magstim 200 to the SCITCS FES Research Facility at a cost of $23,960 it was added to two Ergys Systems two Stim boxes, one Concept II rower, an Arm Trainer and $80,123 for deep pressure research.

$157,743 total donated to the new SCITCS FES Research Facility for the year 2006

March 2007 $23,000 donated to the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry to purchase the first FES outdoor tricycle in North America developed by Dr. Ken Hunt engineer at Glasgow University and manufactured by Hasomed of Germany (see video in FUTURE of tricycle being used by a person with a spinal cord injury to cycle around Bellahoustan Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Dr. Stein of the Rehabilitation Neuroscience Group will be the lead researcher.