Spinal Cord Society

01/31/2026

Hi Everyone,

I have included the latest press release from our friends at GUSI- Get-Up Stand-Up. This move was so unprecedented, I had to reach out for further clarification. Additionally, I looked into this ARC-EX by Onward Medical.

What this press release is saying is that GUSU PURCHASED and DONATED this electronic stimulator- spinal cord stimulator (SCS) to EA Therapeutic. I also learned this was not the first donation from GUSU to a rehabilitation clinic. Healthpartners neuro clinic in St. Paul received one from GUSU as well. Keep in mind these units are not cheap and I’m sure GUSU negotiated the best price from the manufacturer they could at approx. $45K each. I believe this was a wonderful way for GUSU to expand this “forward moving technology” out to the needs of the SCI. But, the more I thought about it, the madder I got. Why? Why should a “non-profit, charity have to spend their precious funds on equipment for “for-profit clinics?” It appears these rehab clinics do not seem to feel this early technology is not worth the investment? I wonder how they plan to keep customers coming through the doors? As a business, you need to keep up on the latest in your industry, or risk not being in business. Even if it means investing in “short term” therapies like SCS. I believe rehab clinics need to support the SCI community or anyone else who can benefit from this technology to assist them to be the best in their ADL’s they can be…or until an organic treatment is found. Just another reason WHY we need to PUSH for such a treatment- don’t you agree?

Get Up Stand Up to Cure Paralysis Donates Revolutionary ONWARD ARC-EX to EA Therapeutic Health
St. Paul, MN — Get Up Stand Up to Cure Paralysis is proud to announce the donation of the groundbreaking ONWARD Medical ARC-EX System to EA Therapeutic Health, advancing efforts to transform the lives of individuals living with spinal cord injuries. The ARC-EX System, a cutting-edge, non-invasive neuromodulation device, has shown remarkable promise in enabling individuals with spinal cord injuries to improve hand strength and sensation through targeted spinal cord stimulation and rehabilitation.

This generous donation marks a significant milestone in expanding access to breakthrough treatments for spinal cord injuries. “With ARC-EX now available at EA Therapeutic Health, patients in Southeast Minnesota and beyond will have the opportunity to participate in life-changing spinal cord injury rehabilitation programs in their community using this innovative technology” stated Melanie Brennan, CEO and Founder at EA Therapeutic Health and Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Get Up Stand Up to Cure Paralysis remains committed to raising funds to ensure broader access to transformative treatments. The Onward Clinical Education Team will be onsite at the North Broadway EA Neuro Gym location on January 14th from 8-11 AM to work with community members living with spinal cord injury and to train EA staff on this new technology.

About Get Up Stand Up to Cure Paralysis
Get Up Stand Up to Cure Paralysis is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization dedicated to uniting, educating, and supporting individuals living with spinal cord injuries. We advocate for research and the restoration of function while actively promoting fitness within our community. Our vision is to create a world where paralysis from spinal cord injury is curable.

About EA Therapeutic Health
EA Therapeutic Health provides physical therapy and adaptive health and wellness solutions to the greater Rochester, MN community with a mission to empower people of all ages living with physical health and mobility challenges to lead healthy, active and independent lives. They have been bringing their innovative and effective results driven model of therapeutic health and wellness to the Rochester Area since 2011. At their North Broadway Neuro Gym, programs and services include neurologic-focused physical therapy along with specialized adaptive fitness, specialized personal training, and health coaching services. EA also provides physical therapy services out of offices at Hanger Clinic and Northgate Health Club, both also located in Rochester. As a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization, the EA team believes that our community will be healthier and stronger when every person living with a pain or challenge of any age, ability, identity, or financial resource has equitable access to therapy and therapeutic health and fitness supports lifelong.

About ONWARD Medical
ONWARD Medical is a global medical technology company creating therapies to restore movement, function, and independence to people with spinal cord injuries and other movement disabilities. Building on more than a decade of scientific discovery, preclinical research, and clinical studies conducted at leading hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and neuroscience laboratories, the Company has developed ARC Therapy, which has been awarded ten Breakthrough Device Designations from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition to the ARC-EX System, which is now cleared for commercial sale in the US, the Company is developing an implantable system called ARC-IM with and without an implanted brain-computer interface (BCI).

About ARC-EX
ARC-EX is intended to deliver programmed, transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation in conjunction with functional task practice in the clinic to improve hand sensation and strength in individuals between 18 and 75 years old that present with a chronic, non-progressive neurological deficit resulting from an incomplete spinal cord injury (C2-C8 inclusive).

For media inquiries, donations, or to learn more about Get Up Stand Up to Cure Paralysis’ mission, please contact: info@gusu2cure.org. To learn more about the implementation of this device at EA or other information at EA, contact Melanie Brennan at melanie@chooseea.org or 507-259-7570.

Together, we can stand up for a cure and help create a future where recovery from spinal cord injuries is possible.

01/06/2026

Hi Everyone,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone got a chance to view my Podcast listed below. More importantly, I hope you passed it on? This Podcast has had over 100 views. It is truly up to us, the SCI to bring a cure treatment to the medical system. Sadly, we are a small group, but big enough to get this job done…IF….IF…everyone lends a hand in raising the necessary funds to push these SCI treatment organizations forward! SCS is no longer the lone wolf out there- thank goodness…you still need to be cautious who you back. Remember, goal-directed research.

I would also like to take this time to THANK everyone who did help this organization by doing what they could- THANK YOU! Our Appeal Drive is still our easiest and biggest fundraiser along with golf tournaments, garage sales, bake sales, car washes, etc. It is folks like you that help get us one step closer to a cure treatment. If you don’t think our work is being noticed, just check out the December SCS Newsletter.

Forge on!

11/29/2025

Hi Everyone,

Happy Holidays to all of you.

I have been the manager of this FB page for the SCS since this page began many years ago. I have tried to do my best to be the “call to action” for anyone interested in a treatment for chronic SCI. Here is your chance to meet me. I was asked to be a guest speaker on the well-known blog Spinal Cast sponsored by MCPF. It is my hope that all of you listen fully to my message and pass this link on to those who need to see it.

Enjoy.

Meet Jeff Toby from St. Paul, Minnesota. At just 22, a motorcycle accident left him a C5 quadriplegic — but it didn’t stop his drive. Instead of following hi...

11/09/2025

Hi Everyone,

It has been quite a year for me. I survived, but I hope all of you fared better. The GOOD NEWS is the SCS research program made another HUGE leap in progress toward bringing our hypothesis to fruition. If you have been tuning into the SCS Newsletter, you will know EXACTLY what I’m talking about. See below.

October was our Appeal Drive month. Again, we had great participation, but need EVERYONE’S help! One person raised $50 and was disappointed. I reached out to them and said; “no, this is fantastic!” I explained to them that this was $50 MORE than you raised last year- keep going! EVERY DIME COUNTS folks! If you look at the info. below, you can see we are driving for the end zone- read it!

I ask all of you to do what YOU CAN to help us move the needle over this holiday season when you come in contact with your friends, relatives and business connections. Remember, they want to help you, especially if you give them the idea- like sending in a tax deductible donation. That $50 above…came from a woman who wrote to her locally owned garbage service…imagine that?

More things are in the wind- stay tuned.

09/06/2025

Hi Gang,

Here’s a game changer…ALL SCS supporters take a bow! This is a 2-part hit and a major hurtle journalized for our treatment combo. PASS THIS ON!

New research combines 3D printing, stem cell biology, and lab-grown tissues may provide treatment to repair spinal cord injuries.

05/27/2025

Hi Everyone,

I was truly stunned to learn of the passing of my good friend and comrade, Jean Swenson. Jean was a remarkable person from so many aspects, especially how she lived her life and her day to day. I do not know how she did it, but I admired her for her unwavering dedication to the things she sincerely believed in.

My reason for writing this is because I wanted to tell you about the special friendship (or should I say similarities) Jean and I had. I’ve known Jean for 37 years. She was one of the first people I met (about a year) after my injury. During my rehab, I learned about the Spinal Cord Society (SCS) and other “like” organizations. No internet, it was all by phone and mail. No other organizations at that time, did what SCS did- they put their money where their month was and took NO government funding. And proudly still do this today. I instantly wanted to get involved. So, the following fall after my injury, I was at the State fair, and amazingly came across the SCS booth the Chapter had set up and who was behind the table, Jean! I told her how anxious I was to get involved. It turned out, she lived in and grew up in Highland Park of St. Paul. So did I. She went through the Highland Park school system K-12, so did I. As she graduated from the high school in 1970, I was entering kindergarten. I got to know her parents over the years and found out her father started Troop 74 out of Gloria Dei Church. Yes, that was my old troop I grew up with- cub-scout to boy scout. As the years went on, she ALWAYS supported the SCS and the events we held. For many years “team Swenson” always played golf in our Scramble For a Cure golf fundraisers. Numerous times she would be consulted on chapter decisions because of her cool temperament and level-headedness. I was really amazed when she martyred on when it came time for her to leave the family home and live on her own. Living on your own has its difficulties, but as a quadriplegic, and relying solely on paid care people? Wow! That took REAL tenacity in my book. Her devout dedication to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is what rounded her out. She had her own ministry going on just like the obituary pointed out- what a phenomenal legacy to leave despite her many, many limitations. Jean will be sadly missed by many, and especially me, because I looked to her as true guiding light in the tumultuous storm we call life.

You are in the arms of your Savior now, rest in peace my friend. May her memory be eternal.

Jeff

05/27/2025

TO ALL TC SCS MEMBERS,

I just found out that we have lost one of the most valuable members of our chapter.

Last Sunday Jean Swenson passed away from complications of a bowel restriction. Jean was not only a long time member of SCS, she was a long time head of the chapter and is responsible for me being the head of the chapter since then.

If you knew Jean, then you know that she was a kind, quiet but strong force for SCS and our drive for a cure. If you didn’t know her, then you missed out. We will not only miss her fundraising but I will miss her occasional advice and encouragement. She was the kind of person our cause needs more of, not less.

If you would like to give a memorial in her name, and I think you should, then send it to me-

SCS
2785 104th Ct. E.
Inver Grove Hgts., MN 55077


Mike

05/22/2025

Her Obit below:

Jean Perrin Swenson
Age 73 of St. Paul
The multi-faceted love of Christ has shone brightly through the life of Jean Perrin Swenson. Born on Sunday, May 4th, 1952, to Sidney and Gloria Swenson, Jean was the second of four children. She attended Highland Park Senior High School and graduated in 1970. After high school, Jean attended the University of Minnesota, where she came to know Jesus Christ as her personal savior while obtaining a teaching degree. Jean's relationship with Jesus has been the defining aspect of her life ever since.
Once graduated from college, Jean spent a short time teaching elementary school before accepting a full-time position with Midwest Challenge. (Now known as Teen Challenge.) While serving in this capacity, she was involved in a collision with a semi-truck. This accident forever changed her life as it left her a quadriplegic. Struggling in her heart to face this new reality, Jean could not have imagined, during her year-long rehab journey, how God would use her broken body to open opportunities to shine with His love, grace, patience, wisdom, and truth.
During her rehabilitation through the efforts of the University of MN, Craig Hospital in CO, and the Courage Center (MN), Jean learned how to live independently with 24-hour attendant support and moved into a house in Edina. She eventually returned to her childhood home to live with her parents in Highland Park. While living with her parents, Jean returned to school and earned a master's degree in psychology and counseling from Bethel College.
In every way possible, Jean sought to share the love of God and help people come to know Jesus. She was regularly involved in International Student Outreach, serving at their activities and regularly inviting international students to her home for meals and short stays. She was active at Grace Church, leading Bible Studies and attending their international students ministry. At Bethel Christian Fellowship, she served as the Evangelism coordinator. Most recently, Jean attended Cities Church, where she joined a small group that focused on international student outreach while she regularly prayed for the good news of Jesus to ring forth from the church's overall ministry.
Jean poured herself out, sharing directly about Jesus and as a strong voice in advocating for Biblical perspectives on social matters - especially in the value of every human life. She was very active in the Spinal Cord Society, regularly campaigning for ethical stem cell treatment for spinal cord injuries. Testifying in person on multiple occasions before the MN state legislature and in recorded testimony on a Federal level. She even had the opportunity to personally hand information regarding ethical stem cell treatment to President George W. Bush. Jean was chosen in 1995, as a recipient of T.V. station Kare 11's, "11 Who Care" award for her work with the Spinal Cord Society.
A gifted writer, Jean was a guest columnist at the Pioneer Press for one year, writing quarterly Opinion Page articles. In recent years, she used that gift to write out her testimony. Jean has given out more than two thousand copies of her testimony booklets. She has made an intentional effort to give one to every healthcare worker, every delivery driver, and every shop clerk with whom she has crossed paths. Jean desired that everyone would know what she had found to be the most important truth of life: That Jesus loves them, and He has made salvation and hope possible for everyone, no matter who they are, where they have come from, or what they are going through.
Over the years, more than 200 young women have served as Jean's Personal Care Attendants. When they initially applied for the job, they thought they would be simply serving her. What they found out, however, was that while they were serving her physical needs, she was ministering to their heart and soul. For so many of her PCAs, she served them as counselor, mentor, Bible teacher, prayer partner, cheerleader, and friend.
Jean recognized her disability as a means to exemplify God's strength in her weakness.
She honored and served Him by using the gifts He gave her to serve others.
2 Corinthians 4:7,16-18
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us... So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Gloria Swenson of St. Paul.
She is survived by her siblings, Jeff, Tom (Ann), Joan (Pat) Flanders; nieces and nephews, Dan (Katy), Laura (Brett) Peterson, John Flanders, Matt (Hannah) Flanders, and Jenna Flanders; five grand nieces and nephews.
Visitation 4-7pm Tuesday, May 13th at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd., Stillwater. Celebration of Life 11am Wednesday, May 14th at Bethel Christian Fellowship, 1466 Portland Ave., St. Paul, with visitation at 10am. Interment at Acacia Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Joni and Friends: https://bit.ly/4iVNjSl or Spinal Cord Society: https://www.scsus.org/donate.html .

Spinal Cord Society Donation Page

05/22/2025

Hi Folks,

I'm a bit behind on the posting of this announcement, forthcoming.

Two weeks ago, on her birthday, one of the founding members of the Twin Cities Chapter, Jean Swenson, passed away suddenly. This remarkable lady has a REAL story to tell, so please stay tuned here for postings. She did this by not talking, but by her actions.

03/16/2025

Hi Everyone,

Below is the link from the latest pod drop from MCPF (Morton) interviewing Dr. Martinez from Canada who is doing some research for them. My reason for passing this on is because I find it nice, every now and then, to hear it from someone else. Additionally, it highlights and reinforces just how herculean this task truly is. Especially given the numerous facets involved like animal to human and add to that the time frame as the pod talked about. As always, I think the big message for the SCI community, is to not sit back and wait, we need to FUND the research…solid, goal-directed research. I’m also hearing about how AI is helping medicine in the clinic (God knows they need it) I’m enthused the future looks bright. Please, do what you can and thank you to those who continue to martyr on.

In this episode of Spinal Cast, we dive into the research of Dr. Marina Martinez, Associate Professor at the Département de Neurosciences at Université de Mo...

01/18/2025

Hi Folks,

Jack Jablonski hit the TED Talks in Minneapolis this past summer. Below is the 16 minute talk link he gave, very inspirational. I liked his tattoo best: I UNSTAND MY INJURY…I won’t spoil it for you.
Sent in by SCS member Pam. Enjoy.

Told by his doctors he wouldn’t skate again, Jack Jablonski and Lisa-Marie Hanson collectively share Jack's story of paralysis and recovery after a spinal co...

01/18/2025

Happy New Year Everyone!

Our new cover photo shows a happy squirrel finding food after a few days in the single digits.