Canadian scientists make spinal-cord research breakthrough

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Two University of Alberta professors may have found the mother lode in medical breakthroughs in spinal cord research.  If their theories come to fruition, there are not enough Nobel Prizes on this earth in which to award them.

Spinal injuries, besides blindness which are two of the most devastating injuries on the planet could on day see the disabled become able bodied, a miracle of science.

The spinal cord is one of the most misunderstood injuries in medical science, while a liver can regenerate, other parts of the body cannot, including eyesight.

Why is a big questions many researchers wonder, as some in the animal kingdom have regenerative properties.

Those with spinal cord injuries will hail the day they will be able to get out of their chair and once walk amongst us again.

Getting injured neurons and cells to once again fire and respond to commands and somehow fuse back a severed spinal cord has perplexed scientists on the "why not" as micro surgery has been with us for decades.

Perhaps one day diseases such as cancer and tuberculosis and other incurable ailments may not be too far off in a cure instead of treatments. 

Treatments using a variety of drugs may well alleviate the symptoms but not provide a cure. Drugs in most cases have side effects which in some is worse than the ailments they are developed to treat. 

If drugs are developed to treat spinal cord injuries, perhaps the side effects no matter how bad they may be will be worth it to the many who yearn to walk once again. 

Well know persons such as Vancouver's previous Mayor Sam Sullivan and athlete Rick Hansen who has raised millions for spinal research must be ecstatic to see his efforts finally show a major leap in spinal cord injuries support groups yearn for.

For those of us who are able bodied, one cannot even begin to empathize with those who are not, as the saying "Walk a mile in my shoes" could never drive the message home in the comprehension what it feels like to be disabled.