Research, Restoration, Recovery

For many years, conventional wisdom held that most improvement from spinal cord injuries occurred in the first six months of recovery, and that improvement was impossible after two years. "Rehabilitation" focused mostly on teaching patients how to compensate for injuries thought to be irreversible. Conventional wisdom was wrong.

The International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (ICSCI) at Kennedy Krieger was founded on the philosophy that individuals with paralysis can always hope for recovery of sensation, function, mobility and independence, even many months or years after their injuries. The Center welcomes adult patients, but may be particularly beneficial for children. The first facility in the world with a unique focus on rehabilitation and restoration for children with paralysis, the Center has concentrated its efforts on a group of patients whose bodies’ natural tendencies to grow and repair makes them even more likely to benefit from intense rehabilitation.

In the News


Christopher ReeveArts Alliance America announces the DVD release of "Hope in Motion", directed by Christopher Reeve's son, Matthew Reeve.

"Hope in Motion" is a behind-the-scenes personal look into the emotional and physical fight by Christopher Reeve to keep hope and movement alive in his quest to find a cure for paralysis.

What emerges through this film is a portrait of an intelligent, determined, candid and outstpoken man who was able to maintain his sense of humor in the face of adversity. Learn more...

For more information on the film and DVD release, visit Arts Alliance America.

Updates & Events

Stompin' for the Cure! Join us for an evening of Wine, Country style BBQ, and Bluegrass music to benefit the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury Learn more...

"Spinal Cord Injury, A Guide for Living" -second edition, by Sara Palmer, Ph.D., Kay Harris Kriegsman, Ph.D., and Jeffrey B. Palmer, M.D. with contributions by John W. McDonald, M.D., Ph.D., and Cristina L. Sadowsky, M.D. (a Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) is now available. Learn more...

Success Stories

Patrick Rummerfield lives a life that can only be deemed miraculous. A 1974 car accident left Pat with little hope of survival. Today, this triathlete, racecar driver and motivational speaker spends each day ensuring that he makes the most of his body’s renewed power. Learn more...

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Kennedy Krieger Institute

Internationally recognized for improving the lives of children and adolescents with disorders and injuries of the brain and spinal cord, Baltimore, Md.’s Kennedy Krieger Institute serves more than 13,000 children each year through inpatient and day treatment programs, outpatient clinics, home and community services and school-based programs. Learn more...
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Every child is born with great potential.  Shouldn’t every child have the chance to achieve it?