Become a donor to The Broccoli Impossible to Possible Laboratory
The new Laboratory is designed to transform the “impossible to possible” in individuals with impairments that are commonly linked with Cerebral Palsy.
Our objectives are unique in that we are dedicated and focused on developing new strategies that can be used to take advantage of the functional potential of each individual to a level that has rarely been observed. We are an exploratory laboratory searching for basic biological and technological solutions that synergistically will enable us to take full advantage of the functional potential that typically remains dormant following a diagnosis of all levels of cerebral palsy impairment. But, based on our experience and decades of work toward this objective, we are confident that we can demonstrate the recovery of multiple functions that are impaired in individuals with cerebral palsy; thus, our focus is to examine and develop strategies to take advantage of this unrecognized intrinsic functional capability that persists (and there are many) in an individual with cerebral palsy.
Our strategy is to design experiments that will enable our team to explore new possibilities of connecting or repairing the injured neuromuscular system. We differ from other laboratories and clinics in that we do not perform classical “clinical trials” design to obtain approval by FDA. We will generate the new ideas that will enable our laboratories to perform clinical studies to determine the efficacy of new ideas, once we have discovered a novel strategy that will have a high probability to result in a successful clinical trial. Clinical trials are typically designed to determine the efficacy based on information and ideas that have already been discovered. We want to discover new ways to recover levels of function that are generally thought to be impossible, and to quickly share this information with doctors, clinical researchers, and parents/caregivers, and patients.
Meet Casey.
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after birth, Casey has been working closely with Dr. Susan Hastings since the age of 2. In addition to the using her therapeutic methods developed over several decades, Dr. Hastings began to add neuromodulation to Casey’s spinal cord from the age of 11. What followed was an incredible progression. We believe incredible improvements like Casey’s are not reserved for only a few, but for all those afflicted by cerebral palsy.
From Impossible to Possible. We’ve done it before.
Our lab brings decades of neuroscience and therapy experience to the world of cerebral palsy. Our neuromodulation technology has been proven time and time again to be safe and effective not just in dozens of publications, but in real world applications with spinal cord injury patients. When we saw similar improvements in sensorimotor and autonomic systems in children with cerebral palsy, it became increasingly evident that similar mechanisms may be in play in the recovery of these dysfunctions. Now we want to optimize our strategies to their full potential to tackle the wide array of neurological symptoms associated with cerebral palsy.
This is Abram, and he was a part of our most recent study. This video shows him on his first day with us, before having any kind of neuromodulation. After a few weeks and later in this video, he shows off his walking with the aid of our stimulation.
Our mission is to combine cutting edge technology, expert research, and world-leading therapy to create the most effective strategies for children with cerebral palsy to improve their functions.
Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects a person’s ability to control their muscles, limiting their coordination, movement, and communication.
Symptoms of cerebral palsy vary widely among those affected. Severity ranges from an inability to walk or speak, to normal walking and speech with the use of aids and physical/speech therapy.
Meet the Team
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Dr. Reggie Edgerton, Ph.D
CO-DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
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Dr. Charles Liu, MD, Ph.D
CO-DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
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Dr. Susan Hastings, PT, DPT, PCS
HEAD OF THERAPY
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Ms. Kirsten Götz-Neumann
PRESIDENT of O.G.I.G.
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Dr. Hui Zhong
LAB DIRECTOR
Excited for the future?
We are too.
Your contribution will go directly to our research fund, and will help us:
Develop and sustain an experienced team of physical therapists, bioengineers, scientists and clinical specialists that can develop patient specific strategies for functional recovery.
Purchase state of the art equipment
From hi-tech, gait based treadmills and EMG recording devices to the latest toys from the store.
Hear about neuromodulation and cerebral palsy straight from the experts
Drs. Edgerton and Hastings recorded two podcasts with the wiredON Development, a community of pediatric physical therapists and occupational therapists created to bring innovative practices into everyday neurorehabilitation by connecting passionate clinicians, thought leaders and academics. Listen here
“One day soon, children will say that they ‘had CP’. It is our ethical obligation to explore now, not tomorrow, and find what neuromodulation combined with the best, most advanced therapy can do today.”
— Ms. Kirsten Götz-Neumann, PT, President of Observational Gait Instructor Group