it's science Sunday

I'm currently reading (...while training on the stationary bike so pleeease do not look for too much scholarly content here) the book "In Search of the Lost Cord" by Luba Vikhanski. It was published in 2001 and basically gives the history and the most up to date efforts Science has made to repair the damaged spinal cord. Most of the news I have heard before but I did find this one line of research particularly interesting. Have you heard of this thing called the stem cell? No really, anyone even remotely aware of politics probably would recognize this as a ripe are of SCI Research. The idea being, in the most scientifically perhaps not politically ideal situation, cultivating multipotent cells from human embryos that can then be induced to potentiate into healthy viable cells and transplanted to affect new growth into damaged areas. My reservation has always been that while this all seems good and possible musn't man then have to obtain some sort of god-like blueprint and mechanical abilities to redo the wiring? I can only imagine some confused little genie in there telling my right arm to flap when something smooth then sharp touches my left leg. What I was able to get out of at least one chapter of this book Ch. 12 "Mighty Cells" is that science doesn't need to know EVERYTHING before functional healing can begin. The idea researchers are working with is that they only have to do the "leg work" (i.e., cultivating and transplanting). Once the new tissue has been introduced it is nature itself that holds the key to unlocking the connections mystery.

Second Entry

okay, it's late but i just want to keep true to posting my entries

let's see...today was interesting because after i worked out, i had a phone message from the AB (i.e. able-bodied) person i've been helping to train. she's interested in losing weight and getting in shape for her Fall wedding. she was very happy and wanted to share her success in finding a new Jazzercise class...3 days a week! some days i wish i had the opportunity to find such structure and routine. i guess that's kind of a backwards way of saying there aren't really any disabled fitness classes for the DP (disabled person???) to attend. so what can you do when your body won't let you attend aerobics classes (e.g Jazzercise)? i run.

First Entry...

Funny thought: From the responses I've received so far, it looks like there is some confusion. The "hot trainer" Mel has me leading a team of 28 people at the gym, lined up in rows, running on elliptical machines. This thought had never actually crossed my mind…what has since crossed my mind is perhaps the delight I would feel after all those years of waiting my turn…writing my name down on the dry erase board...as others would have to wait 4 hours!!!! for me and my crew to complete our run.

Current concern(s): choosing my venue. right now i have two choices.

Go Fitness –a smaller gym, fewer machines and a repeatedly stated 30min. time limit!

OR

Lifestyle Fitness-no time limit, more machines, fewer TV channels and a very long walk to the bathroom

Biggest Fear:

I would like to be as inconspicuous as possible but still if anyone asks have them know that I’m doing this for a reason.

Reason being I’m bringing closure to very significant part of my life and hopefully giving hope to some people who need it.