Prosthetic arms are becoming more sophisticated, but many amputees prefer to use the older, simpler mechanical models.  This is because learning to use the more sophisticated myoelectric devices can be difficult.  Using the arms, which rely on electromyography (EMG) sensors on the skin to control movement, requires retraining the brain to make new associations between muscle movements (e.g., shoulder flexing) and the resulting movement of the prosthetic.  Doctors are addressing this issue by using a technique called “targeted reinnervation”, which involves rerouting the nerves that were used to control the now-missing limb and connecting them to another part of the body.  They are also developing sensors that can be attached to prosthetic limbs and connected to the skin’s underlying sensory system, so that prosthetic limbs will be able to “feel” sensations like temperature and pressure.

Forty people around the world have already undergone targeted reinnervation, and the hope is that someday it can also be applied to paraplegics, and that electrodes can ultimately be implanted in the motor cortex of the brain

See the complete article in “The Economist Technology Quarterly”.

We are grateful to Team River Runner and to Dana Alexander for making us aware of this opportunity, and for all they do to help our wounded warriors!

“Gmajor/Bminor tonic/dominant open tuning for amputees or anyone else by Taliesin Cochran.  Email tdcochran2@gmail.com if you have any questions.
The tuning is either from string 6-1 (6 is the lowest pitch string on the top, conventionally E2, and 1 is the highest pitch string on the bottom conventionally E4) G2,B2,D3,F#3,A3,C#4. This gives a pattern of alternating strings either three or four half steps apart.
Playing open strings 6,5,and 4 together gives you G major, and playing open strings 4,3,and 2 together gives you D major. This gives you the tonic, dominant, as well as the less useful mediant chord (iii) in G major without having to fret any string.  You can change the key by using a capo.  Alternatively if you play open strings 5,4, and 3 together you get B minor, and if you play 3,2, and 1 together you get F# minor. This gives you the tonic and dominant chord in B natural minor.  Again you can change the key by using a capo. This allows someone to play I-V progression in major and i-v progression in minor with only one functional hand.  It also allows someone missing all but one finger on the hand used to fret to be able to play scales using open strings, or someone with two functional fingers to play any scale on the guitar without the use of a capo.

Dropping the 1st string by half a step would also allow one to play the diminished vii chord, but it you would only be able to play in major.

Be careful while tuning the low pitch strings, this tuning puts a lot of stress on the 6th string, so alternatively you could use F#2,A#2,C#3,F3,G#3,C4 for the same effect one half step down, but this causes the 1st string to hang a little lose (this only matters if you plan to use the minor chords). If you are worried about the stress on the strings you can use a lighter gauge, they tend to be able to withstand the stress a little better.  If the highest pitch string is too lose replacing it with a higher gauge string might solve the problem.

Gminor/Bbminor tonic/dominant open tuning
Very similar to the one above with the intervals between strings reversed. This would allow you to play in G minor or Bb major. The tuning is G2,Bb2,D3,F3,A3,C4. Again this could be lowered a half step to reduce strain, and you could use a capo to change key.

Tuning this will be a little difficult one handed if you do not have a chromatic tuner (the iPhone has a chromatic tuner app), so you may need help getting the guitar set up. Using a conventional guitar tuner allows you to be able to tune the first example’s strings 6,5, and 4 easily, but depending on the tuner it may be difficult to tune the last three (I can do it on my analogue tuner after some practice finding out how the notes appear on it).
Please share this with anyone it might help.”

Sean Cumings

The Given Limb Foundation is pleased to announce the Sean Michael Cumings Camp Scholarship.  The scholarship will enable two children to attend the Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp run by the Amputee Coalition of America during the summer of 2010.

Sean Cumings was an amazing young man from Westbrook, CT, who lost his life last year at the age of 24.  Sean lived his short life as a reflection of who he was: genuine, friendly, funny, and full of love. One warm handshake from Sean with his beautiful smile and you knew you met a new friend.  Sean was passionate about his workouts and his chiseled body was like a work of art.  Sean also loved to fish with his brother Alex and his Uncle Brian, do silly impressions and joke with his best friend Mat, laugh and love with his girlfriend Abbey, bug his Dad to use his car, hug and tease his Mom, and play with his do, Shay. His brother, Alex, will always look up to his big brother Sean. Sean was a student at Southern Connecticut State University completing his last year in sociology and criminal justice.  Sean also leaves behind a lifetime of friends too numerous to mention, because everyone Sean met became his friend.  Sean’s parents, Laura and Peter, noted Sean’s love of children in asking Given Limb to find a fitting tribute for donations made in Sean’s name.

Camper at ACA's Paddy Rossbach Camp for children with limb difference, photo courtesy of ACA

The Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp fit the goal perfectly in that it offers a traditional camp experience to children ages 10-17 who have lost arms or legs or were born with limb difference.  Since its beginning in 2000, the camp has hosted more than 450 campers from 42 states and three countries.  Attendance at the camp is made possible without cost to the campers and many of the counselors are former campers who volunteer their time.

We extend our thanks to Sean’s many family and friends for making these scholarships possible. Their loss will be transformed into lifetime gains for many children whose confidence and abilities will be expanded by the camp experience.

Anyone interested in making a donation to the fund may do so by clicking here to be directed to the “Donate” page, and by specifying that the contribution is for the Sean Cumings Memorial Scholarship.