NEW YORK, April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — United Spinal Association and the Everyday Abilities Foundation are offering scholarships to 10 qualified individuals living with spinal cord injuries or disorders (SCI/D) in the San Francisco Bay Area to receive complimentary state-of-the-art gait training treatment at SCI-FIT in Pleasanton, CA.
“These scholarships will offer individuals with SCI/D the unique opportunity to benefit from cutting-edge therapy that could help improve their quality of life and independence,” said Tom Shankle, president of the San Francisco Bay Chapter of United Spinal Association.
As part of this awards program, United Spinal Association has donated two of the leading gait training therapy machines––the Robomedica StepGain-GRF, manufactured by Robomedica, Inc. and the Lokomat Nanos, manufactured by Hocoma–– to be used at SCI-Fit, an accessible exercise facility in Pleasanton, CA. 
Awardees will receive two weekly sessions using one or both machines for one year. Each session will include approximately 15 minutes of set-up and 45 minutes of therapy.
Many in the SCI/D community face challenges finding and using accessible exercise equipment. It is often too costly to purchase, or too far away to access. We’re excited to be able to provide access to these amazing machines,” added Shankle.
Gait training is physical therapy for assisted walking (also called ambulation). Some of the benefits of gait training therapy for people with SCI include: lower risk of pressure sores, decreased spasticity, better circulation, and promotion of bone and joint development.
To apply and learn more about specific qualifications, please visit: http://unitedspinal.org/pdf/scholarship.pdf. Submissions must be received by June 1.