Dizzy over thought-controlled wheelchairs

For a guy who received his frills by tuning into an All Black match, when they played in some far off land, in the wee hours of the morning, on some contraption called a radio, who entertained himself by listening to the adventures of Duffy Duck on primeval and brittle vinyl, who staggered about with the aid of a primitive metal framed apparatus called a walkeasy, I am increasingly gobsmacked by all the latest technology.

Apparently researchers at the University of Technology, in Sydney, have developed thought controlled wheelchairs. To quote the Sydney Morning Herald the technology “allows severely disabled people to move around more easily by using their minds to control their wheelchairs.”

There are four commands: forward, left, right and stop

To go forward, you simply need to think of a dice moving forward. If you want to go left, you compose a letter. If you want to go right, you think of solving a maths problem, and if you want to stop, you close your eyes

I thought the “Chin Stick” method of getting about was cool and the “sip and puff” mode was totally new age but these mind games are, well, mind blowing.


"From cane to electrodes"

According to reports the project needs about A$1 million to commercialised the prototype and the research team has, so far, received grants of more than A$500,000. The aim is to commercialise the project within three years.

During my research on the history of Cerebral Palsy I have come across low level technology that has helped the quality of life of our members. Projects like modified tricycles and adaptive pulleys to help with transferring, made by caring friends and neighbours, where accepted with great appreciation.

The possibilities of today would simply be beyond the comprehension of the innovators of yesteryear

Ross Flood rflood@cpsociety.org.nz
   
2010 Archive Articles:

Perfect Boccia Opportunity 8/10/2010
 A fun event to pencil in 3/10/2010
 The dark side beckons you 23/9/2010
 Give Boccia a go out West Auckland 16/9/2010
Photos urgently required 8/9/2010
 A man of many talents 31/8/210
 Disability Rights Workshop 10/8/2010
A Worthy Read 3/8/2010
Exquisite, Breathtaking, Provocative 27/7/2010
“Mamma Mia” what a night!!! 20/7/2010
The Foghorn Experience 13/7/2010
Beyond Joke and Pocket 6/7/2010
Boccia circuit in full swing 30/6/2010
New players welcome to Bridge Battle 25/6/2010
A video resource kit 17/6/2010
2010 Review of Human Rights in New Zealand 10/6/2010
Early initiatives make the man 3/6/2010
Unforgettable Journeys 27/5/2010
Subsidized insulation and heating 20/5/2010
“Big OE on Wheels" 13/5/2010
Discussion on the causes and consequences of CP 6/5/2010
ADHB needs your input 29/4/2010
“Know How” Expo a must for Diaries 22/4/2010
Knight champions cord blood research 14/4/2010
Spark your creative juices 6/4/2010
Mike agrees, Adam’s a cool dude 30/3/2010
A Dummy's Guide to Cord Blood and Stem Cells..... :) 23/3/2010
Auckland Trots Night 2010 16/3/2010 (Photos)
Changes to equipment and modifications services 9/3/2010
Bob knew anything is possible 2/3/2010
Special Education Review ! (19th Mar.!) 20/2/2010
People Getting Out There 10/2/2010
Disability perspective of Avatar 3/2/2010
AusACPDM Conference - Christchurch 26/1/2010
CP Society Holiday Boccia Tournament 15/1/2010 (Photos)
“Getting Out There” in Hamilton 5/1/2010

For Archive Articles
The News that was

Art Therapy Invitation
IRIS is hosting an Art Therapy Open Morning for anyone interested in finding out more about Arts and Drama Therapy. On Friday 29th October 2010 from 9.45am at 13 Coyle Street, Sandringham.  Guest speaker will be, Caroline Miller, Dramatherapist and Clinical Psychologist, who will provide an overview of the broader context of Arts Therapy in New Zealand. Morning tea provided.
Contact: Marion Gordon-Flower, 846 6295 ext 830 or email mgordon@iris-health.org.nz.

Reminder for Dunedin & Oamaru Members

Dunedin Brunch
Saturday 30th October
Custom House Quay
RSVP 22nd October janet@cpsociety.org.nz

Oamaru Brunch
Sunday 31st October
Portside Restaurant and Bar
RSVP 22nd October janet@cpsociety.org.nz

Brunches coming up:

New Plymouth Brunch
Saturday 13th November

Palmerston North Lunch & surrounding areas – Masterton - Whanganui
Sunday 14th November

Central Auckland Boccia Evening
The CP Society is having a Central Auckland Boccia evening at the Mt. Albert YMCA Community Recreation Centre on 773 New North Road, Wednesday 27 October from 6.00 to 7.30pm
For more information click here to download the flyer or phone contact Luke on 0800 503 603 or email luke@cpsociety.org.nz

Cerebral Palsy Society Survey
Please here to download the Survey

Urgent
Old Photos Wanted

Historical photos are urgently required, as the Society heads towards its 60th Anniversary, in early March. A large chunk of the time left is taken up by the Christmas holiday period, so we need to gather up imagery of the past, by the end of October.

Please contact General Manager Harvey Brunt as soon as possible to ensure your historic photos are photo copied in a completely safe environment. Ring 0800 503 603 Email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz

The photos are needed for the Anniversary booklet and presentation which will be part of the ceremony, on the night of March 12th 2011.

Click here to read the Review August 2010
Click on the Cover to download the August 2010 issue of the Review

Twiggers Cabaret in Christchurch
- a few more photos... click here

Director of Boccia Position
We are pleased to announce that Luke Morriss has been appointed to the position of Director of Boccia for the Cerebral Palsy Society. Luke will begin this full time position on the 1st Sep 2010 and will be based at the Society's office in Royal Oak in Auckland. I am excited about this initiative that the Board has agreed to. The sporting benefits for our members as well as the strengthening of Boccia in NZ will be its outcomes.
I look forward to Luke spearheading this initiative.... Regards Harvey Brunt

2010 Boccia Nationals
Sat 6th &  Sun 7th November 2010, Allen Brewster Centre, Papatoetoe, Auckland.

Click here to download the Entry Form

© Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand 1984 - 2010