formal invitation

[Guest guest]

HI all,

I just emailed out an invitation to people I have email addies for in New

England to let them know about our exciting Spring Connection on May 21 in

Massachusetts, featuring Dr. Leigh Hochberg who is doing some very exciting

research. We will also have our own " We are the Experts " roundtable.

Seats are limited and we will have an optional social lunch before the

Connection so be sure to contact me asap if you want to attend.

best,

Kathi

______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________-

NEW ENGLAND SPRING CONNECTION FOR PEOPLE WTIH HSP OR PLS AND THEIR LOVED

ONES

Featuring Dr. Leigh Hochberg of Mass General Hospital, presenting " Hotwiring

the Brain "

and

" We are the Experts " Sharing Roundtable

WHEN: Sunday, May 21, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Lahey Clinic Alumni Conference Room, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA

Lahey Clinic website: _www.lahey.org_ (http://www.lahey.org)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--

" Hotwiring the Brain " Program

Dr. Leigh Hochberg, a neurologist at Mass General Hospital is testing the

Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems' BrainGate Neural Interface, a

4-by-4-millimeter device that is surgically implanted in the brain. The

ultimate goal

of the BrainGate System is to create an operating system that will allow

physically disabled people to control a wide range of devices using their

thoughts.

Dr. Hochberg, Principal Investigator for the study and Instructor of

Neurology at Harvard Medical School explains: " The goals of this study are to

investigate the safety and feasibility of the BrainGate System in people

living

with ALS or other motor neuron diseases. If study participants are able to

gain control over a computer cursor with the BrainGate System, this could open

the door to controlling a broad range of other devices, including assistive

communication devices, speech synthesizers, and, eventually, devices to

re-enable limb movement. " Read a press releases here:

_http://www.extrahandsforals.org/mt/archives/000455.html_

(http://www.extrahandsforals.org/mt/archives/000455.html) and

_http://www.cyberkineticsinc.com/content/clinicaltrials/braingate_trials_us_als_\

mnd.jsp_

(http://www.cyberkineticsinc.com/content/clinicaltrials/braingate_trials_us_als_\

mnd.jsp)

" We are the Experts " Sharing Roundtable

Who knows better what we face and how to best manage our lives than those of

us who walk in our shoes? Share your personal story, concerns and ask

questions of the group to hear their experiences and recommendations. Two

questions: What is the biggest challenge you face right now? What is a

short-term goal

and a long-term goal?

----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------

Registration is required! Seating is limited!

There is no cost to attend this Connection but donations to the SPF Research

Fund will be graciously accepted. A social luncheon will be held at 12:00

in a restaurant near the Lahey Clinic and registration is also required for

that so that we can reserve proper seating. Individuals will pay for their own

meals.

Contact: _kathi@..._ (mailto:kathi@...) ,

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--

Save the Date!

The 2006 SPF National Conference and TeamWalk Weekend will be held on Long

Island, New York the weekend of September 15. The TeamWalk will be held on

the south shore at Wantagh Park and the Conference will be held at an area

hotel. Dr. Fink, SPF Medical Advisor and recipient of SPF Research Awards

will be the keynote speaker at the Conference.