Non-Profit Organization Seeks to Promote Neural Prosthesis Awareness

A newly formed non-profit organization is seeking to increase the public and media awareness of neural prostheses, functional electrical stimulation, and related technologies that stand to benefit individuals with neurological disorders. The Society To Increase Mobility (STIM) was formed last month in Florida.

Jennifer French, one of the first users of a standing/transfer prosthesis developed at the Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation Center, serves as executive director of the new organization and is spearheading development efforts. French, who earned an MBA specializing in marketing and strategy, sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury at the C6/C7 level in 1998. She has remained active in many sporting activities, including sailing, and frequently demonstrates the capabilities of her standing prosthesis at FES events and conferences.

French has recruited several board members for STIM, including Jack Gardner, who previously was executive director of the Inspire Foundation, a foundation that funded medical/electronic research to aid persons with spinal cord injuries in the United Kingdom. Also on the board are Mary Buckett, president of the FES Institute, and James Cavuoto, editor and publisher of Neurotech Business Report.

STIM has adopted a two-fold mission: “To provide information to and for users and potential users of neurotechnology, and to encourage both the growth and the direction of developments in the neurotechnology industry.” According to French, the four-fold strategy of serving users and potential users is to “educate, update, communicate, and advocate.”

Among the objectives the new society hopes to achieve are advocating for greater access to neural prostheses through government institutions, medical insurers, and legislative bodies. STIM also hopes to provide a forum for users to share their experiences and for potential users to ask questions of current users.

The Society to Increase Mobility is currently raising seed funds to begin operations. Anyone interested in contributing should call 813 888 7501 or visit the website at www.TheSTIM.org.