Epilepsy Awareness Month - Learn about Lenox Gastaut Syndrome!




Today is Lenox Gastaut Syndrome Awareness Day! LGS is a severe form of epilepsy. Individuals with the disorder may most commonly experience tonic, atonic, and atypical absence seizures. LGS is very difficult to treat because it is resistant to many of the anti-seizure medications. 2-5 percent of children account for having LGS, yet they are extremely well known in the medical community, especially by both pediatric doctors and adult neurologists because of the complexity of the syndrome. Intellectual development disorders commonly follow LGS, in addition to behavioral problems and cognitive dysfunctions.
LGS is one specific form of epilepsy, one that people should be aware of because awareness improves lives, even if anti-seizure medications cannot make a difference. We have had tremendous people in our society who had epilepsy.  They are proof that anything is possible!
Our very own 28th president, Teddy Roosevelt was epileptic. A born leader, he was a writer, soldier, historian, explorer, and the governor of New York. Even though he was epileptic, had poor eyesight, and had debilitating asthma Theodore Roosevelt embraced everything life could give him.
The well-known Charles Dickens has medical professionals marvel at him today with his cunning accuracy and observations on epilepsy.  His clear descriptions in his novels are beyond his time. This is no coincidence, Dickens’ suffered from epilepsy, and by creating characters in his novels he was educating the world of the debilitating seizures that people suffer from. During Dickens’ time of writing, he recorded the nature of epileptic seizures, causes, and possible provocations, and most interestingly, their consequences.
The one and only Prince was born epileptic.  Even though Prince had his epilepsy there his whole life, the possibility of having a seizure always in the shadows, Prince became one of the most accomplished artists of our time because he had talent and believed he could. His art as a singer, musician, producer, and art innovator has contributed endlessly to how music exists today.
Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer during the late Romantic period. Some of his works are still the most popular pieces of classical music today. He made lasting impressions as a conductor internationally in Europe and even the United States. For his time, this is quite remarkable as Tchaikovsky coped with epilepsy. Still Tchaikovsky managed to not only create something beautiful, but to deliver it to multiple continents!
NTI is wants to ask you, how do you want to contribute your time? Embrace the world like Teddy Roosevelt and be a leader and grab a hold of that new job! Educate, and take on the world like Dickens’ and marvel the minds of the future or be like Prince and take on the abstract with what you have to offer!  Be aware of what you can do, just like LGS awareness day. The jobs are waiting here at NTI, waiting for someone like you to show the rest of the world that anything is possible if you just believe. Do the impossible like Tchaikovsky, and build something beautiful and new in your life today! So if you are on SSI or SSDI reach out to us at nticentral.org!
#Seize #Seizure #Piano #President #History #Guitarist #Artist #PurpleRain #ripprince #classicmusic #classicalmusic #orchestra #lgsawareness  #seizetheday #epilepsyawarness  #seizureawareness #eftx #eftxphotochallenge #purple #Epilepsy #Neurology #Shaking #Seizures #tonic #Awareness #CharlesDickens #TeddyRoosevelt #Prince #Tchaikovsky #LGS

“Make learning stick and last a lifetime!” Come Together! Learn with us! It’s Family Literacy Month!

November 1st is the start of Family Literacy month. All across the country organizations will be coming together to host family learning events. Family literacy is in motion when two generations or more—extended family—are actively learning together.

The president and founder of the National Center of Families Learning, Sharon Darling, stated, “When parents and children come together to learn, relationships among family members, neighbors and communities are all strengthened. Educators and families across the country invest time—from hours to moments everyday—to learn together and make real-world connections that make learning stick, and last a lifetime.”
It doesn’t quite matter what you’re learning about as a family and community. The sky is the limits from the sciences, to financial studies, to reading and history—literacy and education has no restrictions on where your mind can go!
NTI is excited about Family Literacy Month. We believe in coming together as a community, and we especially believe in #learning and education! That is why NTI is excited about the opportunity we have for you and your family. On December 3, right after Family Literacy Month, NTI is asking you to come together again for International Disability Day and our #31Nights event at the Prudential Center in Boston! Just like Family Literacy Month there will be learning and education opportunities, music, inspiring people to meet, and tremendous speakers. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity NTI has waiting for you! For more information visit 31nights.nticentral.org.
NTI aims to educate people with disabilities of all the opportunities and possibilities that exist out there! Want to learn more? Are you looking for a job or in need of job training? Are you on SSI or SSDI? Reach out to NTI today, at nticentral.org we are ready to come together for you, to help you find that great opportunity.

Take a shot and Raise Awareness to the World!


Today is the 5th World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day! The aim of today is to raise awareness, and understanding of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus everywhere. Spina bifida is a neural tube birth defect that affects 1,500-2,000 babies in the United States each year. Currently, there are 166,000 individuals who live with Spina Bifida. Spina bifida occurs within the first 28 days of pregnancy. The infant’s spinal column fails to develop properly, which results in varying forms of permanent damage to the spinal cord and nervous system. Individuals who grow up and live with spina bifida may encounter obstacles such as poor ability to walk, problems with bladder, or bowel control, #hydrocephalus, a tethered spinal cord, and latex allergy.
Hydrocephalus is a condition when an excessive amount of cerebrospinal fluids builds up in the brain cavities. It is a common condition among individuals with spina bifida and is treated with a shunt in order to relocate the fluid to another part of the body because there is a great possibility of brain damage.
NTI is humbled to say that Ryan Martin, a member of the spina bifida community and founder of the Ryan Martin Foundation will be speaking at the #31Nights event on December 3, AKA International Disability Day, and the day NTI will be showcased at the Prudential Center in Boston!

NTI can’t wait to hear everything Ryan has to say. Ryan’s experiences in life inspire people everyday. As a young child with spina bifida, Ryan also had his legs amputated by two years old. Yet, when he discovered basketball at the age of twelve he fell in love and didn’t let anything or anyone stop him from envisioning the future he saw for himself playing the sport. Now Ryan is a professional wheelchair basketball player, and the founder of his own foundation, which carries the mission to inspire and empower individuals with disabilities through sports and education. Ryan understands the challenges people face, he knows that it can be exhausting, yet he also knows how wonderful it feels when you achieve your dreams.
NTI believes that we can help you take your first step towards your dreams and feel wonderful. We want to be there, empower you, and offer job training if you would like it. We have jobs for you that give you the ability to work from your very own home!  We believe you can take the first step towards you dream just like Ryan Martin accomplished his one task at a time. If you are on SSI or SSDI let NTI be there for you, to help you change your world for the better, and empower yourself to be the person you always envisioned you’ll be! Visit us at nticentral.org or call us at (877) 248-8912.
 



Jaclyn is a Marketing Content Writer for NTI.  She not only lives the story, she writes about it to inspire others. Currently, Jaclyn just recently attained her MFA in Creative Writing Nonfiction at Columbia University and the focus of her thesis is titled "Wings A Memoir" discussing the evolution of herself an disability.

A Call for Speakers! Boston Event Honoring NTI and Americans with Disabilities!


Press Release - Call for Speakers

For Release Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 12:30 a.m. EDT

[Boston, MA] - A Call for Speakers! Boston Event Honoring NTI and Americans with Disabilities!



Summary
A call for speakers is taking place for a disability event in Boston honoring NTI, the leaders in placing Americans with Disabilities back into the workplace.  The 31 Nights of Lights Gala Event at the Prudential Building will occur on December 3rd, 2016 from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. The call for disability related topics and speakers will occur through 7 PM on October 30th.

A call for speakers is occurring for the 31 Nights of Lights Event on December 3rd, 2016 from 4:30 to 7:30 to honor NTI in their achievement placing Americans with Disabilities in the workplace nationwide. The call for speakers will occur through 7 PM on October 30th. The topic of the event focuses on disability in the workplace.

Selected speakers will have the opportunity to speak for 10-15 minutes regarding disability rights, assistive technologies, and advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities. Advocates, researchers, and adaptive athletes are encouraged to apply.

The event will host a variety of disability speakers, Paralympians, autograph sessions, adaptive demonstrations, artwork, and entertainment. Details surrounding the event are on the 31 Nights event website at 31Nights.NTICentral.org.

Submissions Due: October 30th, 2016
Notifications on Acceptance: November 4th, 2016

Information regarding the event, as well as the sponsor information, can are on the website 31Nights.NTICentral.org

Event and media questions can be directed to Michael Sanders at msanders(at)nticentral(dot)org or 617-787-4426 x331

About National Telecommuting Institute
National Telecommuting Institute, NTI, are leaders in placing Americans with Disabilities back into the workplace, Founded in 1995 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, NTI pursued a mission to identify and develop work-at-home jobs for home-based Americans with a disability. Since that time, NTI has successfully provided trained work-at-home employees to some of the largest U.S. government agencies, Fortune 500 companies and to smaller businesses to outsource and expand their customer service and technical support operations.

Visit nticentral.org/learnmore for more information about how NTI assists Americans with Disabilities.

Contact:
Michael Sanders
National Telecommuting Institute
69 Canal Street Suite#3
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: +1-617-787-4426 Ext 331
NTICentral.org

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Keywords: disability, speaking opportunity, awareness, disabled, technology, tech, speakers, event, Boston, Prudential Center, NTI, NTICentral, LandAjob, Wheelchair, Exoskeleton, Paralympian

Press Release - NTI Honored at 31 Nights of Light Event


Press Release - 31 Nights of Light Event Event

For Release Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. EDT

[Boston, MA] - NTI Honored at 31 Nights of Light Event


Of 22,000 non-profit organizations, National Telecommuting Institute, NTI, was chosen to be honored at the Prudential's 31 Nights of Light Event for their achievements in transitioning Americans with Disabilities back into the workplace. The event will be held at the Prudential Tower in Boston, MA on the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities; December 3rd from 4:30-7:30PM.

The 31 Nights of Light Gala Event will showcase a series of entertainment, autograph sessions, technology demonstrations, presentations by dignitaries, and appearances by Paralympians as well as Cybathlon competitors. This event will offer the experience for Americans with Disabilities to learn more about assistive technologies, adaptive athletes and the services that NTI offers nationwide.

Bringing together Americans with Disabilities and organizations in the community, the 31 Nights Event allows attendees to meet representatives from nonprofit organizations, including NTI, who wish to inform and honor persons with disabilities.  

Free and open to the public, the event is also open to the media.

Information regarding the Event as well as the Sponsor Information can be found here:
 


Event and media questions can be directed to Michael Sanders at msanders@nticentral.org or 67-787-4426 x332

About National Telecommuting Institute

National Telecommuting Institute, NTI was founded in 1995 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, NTI pursued a mission to identify and develop work-at-home jobs for home-based Americans with a disability. Since that time, NTI has successfully provided trained work-at-home employees to some of the largest U.S. government agencies, Fortune 500 companies and to smaller businesses to outsource and expand their customer service and technical support operations.
Visit  www.nticentral.org/learnmore for more information about how NTI assists Americans with Disabilities.

Contact:
Michael Sanders
National Telecommuting Institute
69 Canal Street Suite#3
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: +1-617-787-4426 Ext 331


Remembering Dennis Byrd

"I really have loved coaching football and working with kids, talking about the lessons I've learned as an athlete and the journey as someone with a disability" ~Dennis Byrd



Only days after his 50th birthday, former Jets defensive end and defensive tackle, Dennis Byrd died tragically in a head on collision near his Oklahoma home this past weekend.  He was best known of the day his career came to an end when he collided with teammate Scott Mersereau while trying to sack the Chiefs quarterback Dave Krieg.  His head first collision caused Byrd to suffer a fractured C-5 vertebra and sustained damage to his spinal cord paralyzing him.  At the time, doctors didn't think Byrd would ever be able to walk again. 

Months later, after extensive physical therapy, Byrd was able to walk again, but never returned to football.  His jersey was retired and no one has worn the number 90 since. On September 3rd, 1993 he walked to midfield at the Meadowlands to serve as an honorary captain and during the halftime ceremony was presented with a trophy for the Most Inspirational Player Award which is now known as the Dennis Byrd Award.  His story was later coauthored in an autobiography entitled, "Rise and Walk: The Trial and Triumph of Dennis Byrd" and later made into a movie. He went across the country sharing his story and now, others will tell the story for him so his legacy lives on.


You never know when tragedy could happen to you or a loved one.  In the case of Byrd, he was emerging as one of the top defensive lineman in the NFL, seconds later he had a disability.  This is very similar to the lives of so many people we help at NTI.  A disability interrupts their lives, but if they want to get back on track and back to work again, NTI can help.  If you know of someone on disability who would live to get back to work, contact us at www.nticentral.org/learnmore.   
 

#Jets #JetsFan #jetup #nyjets #jetnation #ganggreen #nfl #football #newyorkjets #Meadowlands #LetsGoJets #Paralysis #Spinalcord #Injury #Defense #Sack #Tackle #Birthday #RiseandWalk #Jersey #Retire #Death #DennisByrd #Byrd #NYJ #legend #remember #riseandwalk #Hero

Hindsight 20/20! We all have a vision!

Hindsight 20/20! We all have a vision!
 


Today is blind/sight day! It’s special because everyone can participate, and ask themselves how they see the world. I like to think that if I didn’t lose my eye-sight at thirteen from amblyopia; an unfortunate circumstance from a complicated brain infection and cancer treatment, that I would still appreciate the world around me as much as I do today. But, I can confidently say with my vision loss my eyes have been opened wider. I now can say that I get to experience the world around me with more clarity than before, even though my eye-sight is not perfect.

When my vision was unimpaired I never thought twice about being able to see text on a paper, or whether I would be able to recognize my friend standing across the hall. Everything was a given, beautiful and glorious in that way. Today, I know not to expect to see text on a paper or recognize anyone in the hall, even though I do have sight. The sight that remains, I treasure like the white clouds that still stand out to me in the sky, but my vision isn’t strong enough to see the things I expected to see when I used to glance around a room, like something simple like my digital alarm clock. That is why I believe there is a day specially named blind/sight day because even though I may be legally blind, seeing only the shapes and colors that surround me. I maintain a vision of what my world is like, which is as much a part of my day as it is for everyone else who can see and who cannot.
 

NTI has a vision too. We believe at NTI that having vision for something goes further than having perfect 20/20 vision. We know of the opportunities out there; the resilience, and work ethic that comes with someone who has a vision. We know how to improve the workplace with assistive technology whether its magnifiers or screen readers. We believe sight comes in all different forms.  Today is blind/sight day around the world and at NTI. We want to make it the beginning for you to find a new job in the workplace if you are on disability.  Come, have a vision with NTI, make the change, and believe with us that there isn’t just one way you can see the world. Let us help you find that new beginning! Visit us at NTIcentral.org!






Jaclyn is a Marketing Content Writer for NTI.  She not only lives the story, she writes about it to inspire others. Currently, Jaclyn is working on attaining her MFA in Creative Writing Nonfiction at Columbia University and the focus of her thesis is titled "Wings A Memoir" discussing the evolution of herself an disability.

Happy Birthday to John Mellencamp!


By Mary E. Hart

Happy 65th birthday to legendary musician John Cougar Mellencamp, who goes by John Mellencamp these days. Did you know that Mellencamp was one of three babies who were born with spina bifida at the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis? In an odd coincidence, October is also Spina Bifida Awareness Month. 



If you don’t know what spina bifida is, it quite literally means “split spine”. This birth defect occurs before birth and happens when the spinal column stays open instead of closing as it should, often leading to the spinal cord growing outside of the body. If surgery isn’t performed (either because the spina bifida hasn’t been detected or surgery won’t help), spina bifida can cause paralysis, which would require the use of a wheelchair.

At the National Telecommuting Institute (NTI), we work to help Americans with disabilities, including those with spina bifida who use a wheelchair or don’t, to find a work-from-home job that will be suitable for them and where they can succeed and know that they’re contributing to society. 



In the case of Mellencamp, he and the two other babies all underwent a first-ever 18-hour neurosurgery for spina bifida at Riley Hospital. One of the babies died during the surgery; one lived til 14 and then passed on; and Mellencamp’s was a success. In fact, he didn’t even know he had had surgery as an infant until he was nine or ten years old and a child asked him about the large scar on the back of his neck. Mellencamp asked his parents about it and was told he had an operation when he was a baby. He learned more about spina bifida as he was older.

A few years ago, Mellencamp got the chance to meet the neurosurgeon that performed his life-saving surgery: Dr. Robert Heimburger. Dr. Heimburger remembered Mellencamp’s surgery as it was the one of the first surgeries they’d done for spina bifida.

Mellencamp will be performing at the Hanover Theater in Worcester, MA on October 11th and we hope his concert is a hit!



If you would like to get involved with NTI, feel free to connect with us on our website at www.nticentral.org/learnmore

BIO: Mary E. Hart is the Digital Communications Specialist for NTI. She is also a freelance writer, editor and content strategist, specializing in writing copy that will help you reach the right people at the right time. Previously, she worked in Demand Generation marketing for UBM Tech and Ziff Davis Enterprise. In her spare time, Mary is working on the next great ghost novel.

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?




By Mary E. Hart

If you had asked me two years ago what Trigeminal Neuralgia was, I wouldn’t have had a clue. However, I now do know what it is as a dear friend suffers from this disorder, so I know about it from what she has told me.

Today is International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day, so we are working to spread the information. This facial disorder affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries signals and sensations from your brain to your face. Typically, it is triggered when a blood vessel pushes on the nerve. In my friend’s case, it occurred after she was involved in a car accident.

12 out of 100,000 people are affected by Trigeminal Neuralgia in a year, making it quite uncommon. But for those who are affected by it, they know all too well about the blinding pain that strikes their cheek, mouth or any part of the face, which can last from a second to 15 minutes or longer. The moments of searing pain could be just once a day or multiple times a day and can be set off by something as light as an outside breeze or taking a bite of something.

The pain can be so debilitating that it causes people to have to resign from their jobs, as they’re unable to commute to a job while knowing that the pain could set in at any moment, or if they have to wear headphones as part of their position.

If you or someone you love has Trigeminal Neuralgia and wants to return to the workforce in an at-home position, the National Telecommuting Institute (NTI) may be able to help with placement in such a position.

Treatments for Trigeminal Neuralgia typically start out with drugs to suppress pain and some physical/occupational therapy for nerve desensitization. Working with your doctor to find the right treatment is a must. Pain suppression drugs frequently do help quite a bit, but if they fail to work, surgery is also an option.

BIO: Mary E. Hart is the Digital Communications Specialist for NTI. She is also a freelance writer, editor and content strategist, specializing in writing copy that will help you reach the right people at the right time. Previously, she worked in Demand Generation marketing for UBM Tech and Ziff Davis Enterprise. In her spare time, Mary is working on the next great ghost novel.

Touch Bionics Competitor Claudia Breidbach

 Extreme competition is nothing new to Claudia Breidbach. Claudia hit new heights competing in the 2015 German National Skydiving Championship.  Her team, Team Karma, is the world's first inclusive 4 way skydiving team.  Now she competes this weekend in the Cybathlon, an adaptive competition where man and machine intersect to do the impossible.  Of the 6 events, Claudia is competing in the Powered Arm Prosthesis Race.  

Claudia was born with dysmelia, a congenital defect, which led her to be born without her hand and most of her forearm.  She managed to learn most tasks with her right hand to achieve daily tasks. Eventually, the overuse of her right hand led to pain and hours of physical therapy. After a visit to an Occupational Therapy Conference in Germany, she discovered Touch Bionics and their i-limb hand.  After going through the insurance route, she was finally able to acquire one.  


Since the hand works on myoelectric principles, she had initial difficulty adapting to the i-limb.  The i-limb is triggered through muscle contractions which Claudia never used over her lifetime.  After practice and strengthening the muscles in her left arm, she was able to master the i-limb and do the unimaginable with it. Now, not only is she the Training Manager at Touch Bionics, but is also the pilot for Team Touch Bionics in the first ever Cybathlon.

Claudia has been preparing for the competition with her teammates since May, preparing on grip positions as well as the the game plan for the Cybathlon.  Unfortunately, during preparation, Claudia suffered a hole in her kitchen floor as the result of a falling cone.  An unfortunate circumstance, but she learned from the event and improved her skills.  Going into Saturday, she feels confident that she can compete and bring the prize home for the Touch Bionics family.   


During the Cybathlon, Claudia wants to show the world that anything is possible with today's technology. She wants to motivate people to thrive for more.  At NTI, we try our best to do the same and provide candidates the tools to succeed through the training, mentoring and job placement. We wish Team Touch Bionics the best in the Cybathlon as we know Claudia will show the world what is possible!

Watch Claudia and Team Touch Bionics compete in the Powered Arm Race on October 8th. The event will be streamed online at http://www.cybathlon.ethz.ch/en/.

Touch Bionics



In a few days, the Cybathlon, an event where adaptive technology fuses with competition will occur.  Teams from over 21 countries will be competing and we had the chance to catch up with the team representing Touch Bionics.  Other than competitors, Touch Bionics is the world's leading prosthetic technology and support services organization in the world.  Their focus is to create the best possible outcomes for those with upper limb deficiencies. Their products include myoelectric prosthetic hand and finger solutions, as well as highly realistic passive functional prosthesis that match the natural appearance of the user.  During the Cybathlon, team Touch Bionics will put their products and support solutions to test in the Powered Arm Prosthesis Race and strive for the the Gold.


The team will be represented by competitors from both the UK and German Touch Bionics locations. Team touch Bionics is comprised of Alison Goodwin, a Global Product Manager at Touch Bionics and Kathrin Gamble who is an International Marketing Manager at Touch Bionics. The two athletes, otherwise known as pilots in the Cybathlon are Claudia Breidbach who is a  Training Manager at Touch Bionics and Bert Pot, a Touch Bionics Ambassador.

During the competitions, both Claudia and Bert will  both be wearing the a Touch Bionics product called the i-limb quantum.  The video below showcases the day in the life of Claudia as she demonstrates her i-limb quantum doing everything from extreme tasks to everyday activities with her family.  View the video here:

Touch Bionics is using the Cybathlon to push the limit on their latest technology, the supro wrist.  Claudia will be leveraging the supro wrist in competition.  This latest development is the first integrated hand and wrist prosthesis with synchronized rotation and grip selection. Touch Bionics has a launch date set for the supro wrist in early of 2017.

It’s a personal endeavor for Claudia, as she is looking to showcase how to master life with a prosthesis and show what is possible with the technology today. Bert, an Ambassador for Touch Bionics shares a similar sentiment and is looking at the Cybathlon as a personal challenge to push himself to claim the prize for the Touch Bionics Family.  Bert and Claudia have been preparing for the competition since May and have been preparing on grip positions and the game plan for the Cybathlon.

Through determination, Touch Bionics will show the world that anything is possible with a symbiosis between person and technology. You can get the chance to see Claudia and Bert and team Touch Bionics pushed to the max as they compete in the Powered Arm Race on October 8th. The event will be streamed online at http://www.cybathlon.ethz.ch/en/.

Cybathlon, Game On!


Now that the Paralympics have completed, pave the way for the Cybathlon! This Saturday, October 8th at the Swiss Arena in Kloten, bionic assistive technology will be pushed to the limit as 21 teams across the world compete in the Cybathlon. Athletes, otherwise known as pilots at the Cybathlon, compete in racing events involving brain-computer interfaces, biking using electrical stimulation, prosthesis, exoskeletons and powered wheelchairs technology.



According to Robert Riener, the head of the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, the Cybathlon is an opportunity to develop technology that will work together with humans and create a perfect balance. During the cybathlon, powered assistive technology will be tested through accuracy, agility, and ease of use.



Only 25 percent of the technology is represented by companies, whereas, the other 75 percent of technology is showcased from research labs and universities. The pilots who will be testing the technology to the limit include those with bionic arms, legs, including one athlete whose implants were embedded directly into the bone.

In all, there are 6 events in which pilots will compete including:
1. Brain Computer Interface Race (BCI)
2. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Bike Race
3. Powered Arm Prosthesis Race
4. Powered Leg Prosthesis Race
5. Powered Exoskeleton Race
6. Powered Wheelchair Race



The BCI or brain-computer interface event tests the reliability and accuracy of an pilot controlling an avatar with their mind through a virtual obstacle course. In order to navigate, they can only use their minds and the technology ranges from EEGs or IR-Spectroscopy to control the avatar. Muscle and eye movements are prohibited from this event as an athlete must clear their mind, like Neo in the Matrix, in order to successfully navigate.

The prosthetic events mimic day-to-day household activities such as carrying groceries, performing tasks, such as slicing bread, using stairs or even keys.  Some of these tasks may seem mundane for an able bodied person, but for someone with a disability, may pose an insurmountable task.

In a world of inclusion, the technology tested in the Cybathlon, may be the next step in allowing individuals with disabilities a world of an accessible and seamless environment. If you are interested in watching the Cybathlon, they will be showcased on October 8th, will be streamed online at http://www.cybathlon.ethz.ch/en/.

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