Educational Campaign Seeks Submissions

Posted: August 7, 2003

An estimated 500,000 Americans suffer from spasticity - tight, stiff muscles. It's an often undiagnosed and untreated condition commonly associated with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury and brain injury (often a cause for seizures).

As a part of "Exploring Spasticity," a national educational program that aims to raise awareness of the condition through creative expression, a consortium of advocacy groups is enlisting the help of people living with spasticity. The program is sponsored by Medtronic, a medical technology company.

Written descriptions, spoken word, music and illustrations produced by people living with spasticity will be used to help others who are affected to learn and share coping strategies and treatment options. The program also seeks to create awareness among people who do not recognize their own symptoms and have never thought about treating it.

Responses will be featured on the program's web site, and 12 submissions will be selected for publication in a 2004 calendar. Entries will be accepted until Sept. 1, 2003. Submissions selected for the calendar will be awarded a $250 American Express Gift Cheque, and all participants will receive a complimentary calendar.

For more information on how to participate in "Exploring Spasticity," please visit www.exploringspasticity.com or call (800) 731-2921.