stem cells and politics

Just been seeing reports that the newest VP nominee in USA (Sarah Palin) is against stem cell research even though her 4 month old child has Down's Syndrome and may benefit from stem cell research. Maybe it will give him a chance to lead a normal life in future. But who will educate the politicians?

Two people now in China

Two persos who had visited this blog are now in China doing the stem cell treatment for ataxia. They are "mr.desi" and "pansy". Here is wishing them all the best for their stay and treatment.

As for me, life goes on. Missed a few days of working out (ha ha) last week. BP is erratic. Pulsr rate seems high. Guess there is not much one can do.

Saw a new product invented in Israel, which helps wheelchair people walk - must look into that. Things are not yet at that stage, but one must be prepared. If anyone is interested, please look at : http://www.argomedtec.com/

August now - Life Goes on

Just joined an online group started by an ex-China stem cell person. It is http://www.stemcellsforhope.org/

Summer continues. We have finished with all the long weekends.

Work keeps me busy. Also the fitness club. The trainer has finished his work and I am on my own now.

Toronto, Canada - July 25, 2008

It has been an erratic summer - hot some days, cold some, raining a lot.

I have been going regularly to the fitness club. The routine seems to help. I was doing a one-a-week session with a trainer, which has now come to an end. The trainer is a nice guy. He is going back to school to study Alternative Medicine.

Have been working and commuting. It takes me a longer time to negotiate public transport. I have figured out where there are ramps and elevators along the route to avoid climbing. Toronto is a fairly accessible city, and I am grateful for that.

Have been checking my B.P regularly at the gym. It seems to have settled to within normal limits. Earlier, I was hyper-tensive. Maybe the exercising has some benefit on the B.P.

Windsor Canada boy headed for China

I just read this report about a young Canadian from Windsor, Ontario who suffers from FA and is making the trip to China. Wish him all the very best. See the report at: http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/story.html?id=506382b2-33d3-42d3-a6ae-b1dd4e34318b

End of June in Toronto

Nothing great to report, carrying on with my exercising, about 5 days a week. The gym is near where I work and I feel too lazy to commute on weekends.

Over the past month, I have been able to increase the weights on the machines at the gym by about 10-15%. I suppose that is a good thing.

Muscular cramps happen sometimes. Doesnt seem any triggers that I can identify.

My nephew who works in California sent me the link for a new study that they are doing at the National Institute of Health - to check the efficacy of lithium treatment for spino cerebellar ataxia. I have offered myself as a volunteer subject for the study, dont know if they will pick me.

Canada in June

Things have been busy at work. So I have'nt been posting here.

I got an appointment (finally) with a neurologist at the Toronto Western Hospital. First look at the hospital was not encouraging as it overlooks a funeral home. I can understand why they put ATMs in shopping malls, but a funeral home near a hospital seems to be stretching the convenience factor a bit.

Well, the doctor was a competent and encouraging kind of guy. He heard my story patiently and took notes. He looked the last MRI I had, from China. He did a lot of tests to assess the neurological deficits. At the end of it, he did not have much new to offer or suggest. So I came away, with the satisfaction that there is a file somewhere in my name with some information on me. He has promised to call me in once in 6 months, so i guess there will be some monitoring.

Fitness club continues. The exercising seems to help, since movements are easier on those days compared to the days when I goof off.

Toronto is vey hot this weekend.