12 replies to this topic

[StemCells&AtomBombs]

I haven't been on this forum for sometime, but I thought that maybe I would ask your help in filling out a survey I'm doing.
The survey is at the end of my blog post which you can find at www.StemCellsandAtomBombs.blogspot.com.

Time for a Manhattan/Apollo Project to cure paralysis
The short survey is at the end!

I have been thinking of writing this post for some time to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's declaration to put a man on the moon in less than ten years. I wanted to time it for 25 May when he made the declaration, but recently I got asked a good question in one of the forums I belong to so thought that I wanted to answer it with this blog.

Basically the question I got asked was, "when are you going to cure paralysis?"

It's a good question because I think it could get done within five to ten years. Not that I'm going to do it by myself, we have to do it together.

John F. Kennedy declared in 1961 that America would land a man on the moon by the end of the decade, and for good or bad, the landing took place in 1969.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt decided to build an atomic bomb, and that horror exploded in Hiroshima and Nagasaki within a few years.

Were FDR or JFK scientists? No, they were LEADERS who DECLARED what science would do. They didn't sit and study science (and I'm not saying we shouldn't), they made it a national priority and then left it to the scientists to make it happen. I'm also not saying that there was no science already in the works to complete these missions, but it wouldn't have happened if an influential world leader didn't put their might behind the projects.

Keep reading and take the survey.

[Edinburgh Colin]

You have uncanny timing amigo!

[StemCells&AtomBombs]

 Edinburgh Colin, on 08 May 2011 - 02:17 PM, said:

You have uncanny timing amigo!

What was uncanny about it? I hope that's a good meaning. Let me know.

Dennis

[Edinburgh Colin]

 StemCells&AtomBombs, on 09 May 2011 - 12:47 AM, said:

 Edinburgh Colin, on 08 May 2011 - 02:17 PM, said:

You have uncanny timing amigo!

What was uncanny about it? I hope that's a good meaning. Let me know.

Dennis

Lunar Landing Thread, if you want a laugh

[Ratticis]

In 50 years is someone gunna start a thread somewhere about paralysis not being cured?

[quadinva]

 Ratticis, on 09 May 2011 - 01:12 AM, said:

In 50 years is someone gunna start a thread somewhere about paralysis not being cured?

Yes, and people still wont believe the cure is real unless they have been paralyzed and cured. Personal testimony, documentation, pictures/videos, etc will all be questioned and the cure will be dismissed as a hoax.

[StemCells&AtomBombs]

 Ratticis, on 09 May 2011 - 01:12 AM, said:

In 50 years is someone gunna start a thread somewhere about paralysis not being cured?

I hope not. Thanks for keeping this at the top of cure forum.

Dennis

[Tetracyclone]

i think there are a lot bigger problems in this world than curing paralysis. The Manhatten Project was a big deal. I would like to see that amount of money and creative thinking put to the problem of changing the culture of sedentary lifestyle and diminishing obesity here in the US. Something like that affects a lot more people.

Having said this I think there is room for a lot of change in $ priorities and that we could afford a lot more research in many areas, including SCI.

I find I can accept being unimportant.

Edited by Tetracyclone, 10 May 2011 - 02:37 AM.

[S&W Winger]

 Tetracyclone, on 10 May 2011 - 02:28 AM, said:

i think there are a lot bigger problems in this world than curing paralysis. The Manhatten Project was a big deal. I would like to see that amount of money and creative thinking put to the problem of changing the culture of sedentary lifestyle and diminishing obesity here in the US. Something like that affects a lot more people.

Having said this I think there is room for a lot of change in $ priorities and that we could afford a lot more research in many areas, including SCI.

I find I can accept being unimportant.

I especially like the last sentence of this post...sums up that whole search for the cure bullshit...the "cure" for HIV was even found, but since it is som much more profitable to continue with "treatment" rather than "cure," hell, I could see where all th MD's who are heavily invested in meds and insurance [oh along with BP, but that's another story] would opt for treatment...I could also accept being unimportant for even more reason(s)...

[StemCells&AtomBombs]

My continued thanks to the 'cynics' for keep this right at the top.
Quick update: 46 responses and not just opinions. 39 say they will give their time, which at this point, is more important than money from regular folks.

BTW, I don't mind feeling unimportant either.

Thanks.

[StemCells&AtomBombs]

These are the results from a small poll I conducted. You can find the poll here.

I know that some are going to say that it's a pretty sad result. Only 104 responses? Only 43 people left contact details? I'll answer them that it's got to start somewhere. Working as a union organizer I have been to many meetings with only me. Have stood out on very cold nights in front of workplaces to hand out leaflets just to find out no one was interested. Hell, I've even traveled two or three hours to organizing meetings which were attended only by me.

I'm from the three is better than one club, so I am very happy that this first group has come forward. It will take time for us to get on our feet, but we'll get there. I heard a quote once in a movie, but I don't remember what movie and it went something like this: "When people are learn to spit together, they'll make a tidal wave."

The comments are unedited and in them I'll hope you'll find some good ideas for future activities and also see regular people's raw passion for getting out of their chairs, and the barriers that they believe are stopping them. Some of these feelings may shock you.

So without further adieu. The survey says...click here for the results.

[mcferguson]

Sounds like the AIDS community has the same issues we do vis a vis a cure.

[Snakeye]

If they haven't been able to cure cancer after all the billions$ spent on that issue over the past half-century I hold out little hope for curing paralysis...