Save Michigans Auto No Fault Benefits

For 38 years, Michigan residents have enjoyed the benefits of our auto no-fault insurance which has provided lifetime medical benefits in the face of an injury resulting from an auto crash.  In the 1990’s, Michigan residents soundly rejected changes to the statute through statewide referendums (Proposals C and D).

Recently, House Bill 4936 was introduced in the Michigan legislature.  This bill, if approved, would eliminate the unlimited medical coverage provided under Michigan’s current no-fault insurance.

These actions would fundamentally alter the delivery systems for our patients as well as reimbursement for all providers of health care.  There would also be a significant shift of payment to our Medicaid and Medicare systems – already overburdened state and federal programs.

Please help us retain this system by writing your state representative and senator.  Also, encourage your family and friends to do so as well.  The process for letter writing is very simple (even helping you identify your representatives) and can be easily executed by going to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan’s web page at:

• www.biami.org 
• Click on blue box entitled “Write to  Congress ONLINE “.  
• Locate the blue box entitled “Featured Alert” and click “TAKE ACTION”  – this will lead you to a letter to congress regarding Auto No-Fault and direct it to your legislators when you fill in your name, address and zip code

Also, consider personally contacting your representatives as these are even more productive and impactful to them!

Many thanks, in advance, for you interest, support and advocacy on behalf of our patients and hospital on this critical issue!

William H. Restum. PhD
President
Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan

Battle Exercise Boredom

Even the most dedicated exerciser can get bored with their workout routine. For many of us, exercise is a release that needs to be both fun and rewarding. When the fun wears out, it may be hard to keep working towards those rewards.

In order to stay in shape and stay healthy, try these tips to help fight back against exercise boredom:

1. Instead of taking a step aerobics or yoga class, try a circuit training class or kickboxing.
2. Try free weight exercises instead of machines.
3. Exercise with a friend.
4. Set a detailed goal like walking in a 5K one month from now, or running your first race.
5. Try a new activity all together, outside of the gym like ice skating, or a racquet sport like tennis or racquetball.

By: Craig DeLeon, Corporate Director of Health, Fitness, and Wellness, DMC

Paralyzed Yoga Expert Coming to Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan

At age thirteen, Matthew Sanford’s world turned upside-down when a devastating car accident killed his father and sister and left him paralyzed from the chest down. Advice from his doctors to “forget his lower body,” however, was what really crippled him. It also began his amazing and inspiring journey of waking his mind and body through yoga.

Today, Matthew teaches at national yoga conferences, studios and institutions around the country. He teaches traditional students and is a pre-eminent pioneer in adapting yoga for people with disabilities.

Matthew will be sharing his experiences and conducting a yoga class for disabled and non-disabled participants at DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM) on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at

5:00-6:10 p.m. in RIM's auditorium (261 Mack, Detroit, MI 48201).

Matthew’s yoga class is FREE and open to the public to attend, however, space is limited so you must register in advance by calling Krystal Rodgers at 313-745-1003.  

Ndamukong Suh to host Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan’s 10th Annual Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball Game

NFL Rookie of the Year, Ndamukong Suh, will host Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan’s (RIM) 10^th Annual Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball Game at Oakland University on Thursday, September 22, 2011 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. This unique, one-of-a-kind fundraiser supports the wheelchair sports program at RIM.

The game features Detroit’s favorite sports celebrities and radio and television personalities, who compete in wheelchairs along with RIM’s award-winning wheelchair basketball team, the Detroit Diehards.

Prior to the start of the Celebrity Game, doctors, therapists and nurses from RIM will challenge Oakland University’s Athletic Department to a wheelchair basketball game at 6:00 p.m. The Celebrity Game will start at 7:00 p.m.

All proceeds from the Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball Game benefit RIM’s SportsAbility program which provides persons with disabilities the opportunity to compete in competitive and recreational sports.

Tickets for the event are $8 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. For more information visit www.celebritywheelchairbasketball.com

Detroit Medical Center First Site in Michigan to Offer “Healthy” Vending Machines

A granola snack bar might not be bad a vending selection, but what if that vending machine could give you a snack bar that is all natural, gluten and wheat free, has a low glycemic index, has fiber, no trans fats, diary and cholesterol free, very low sodium and no sulphur dioxide. Now that's a snack you can live with.

The Detroit Medical Center has been selected as the first site in Michigan to receive newly designed vending machines that dispense wholesome snacks and beverages.

Michigan's first 2bU vending machines have been installed in the lunchrooms of DMC's

Orchestra Place

administration offices and DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan. The machines, distributed and serviced by Continental Canteen, offer gluten free, organic, all-natural, locally sourced, allergen free, vegan and kosher snacks and beverages with the cost of each item ranging from $1.25 to $2.50. 2bU also provides an interactive digital screen that tells the consumer about each product's nutritional value, calorie count and more before finalizing the selection. 

"When people are busy, stressed and hungry, all too often they grab a nutritionally empty, sugar-laden candy bar or a soda, without even thinking twice about it. As a healthcare system, we want to advocate that making healthy snack choices can make a great difference in your health and wellness," said Dr. Kahn, DMC's Medical Director of Wellness Programs. "When your body is healthier, you mind is healthier and you're more productive in work and in life."

The 2bU vending machines are another tool in DMC's ongoing initiative to promote good health and nutrition for its patients and employees. The 2bU machines are in demand nationally and DMC was fortunate to get Michigan's first. Others could be installed at DMC down the line.

Posted by, Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, one of eight hospitals operated by the Detroit Medical Center.   

Former Detroit Lion Mike Utley Continues Giving Back to Others with Spinal Cord Injuries

Twenty years ago, as silenced fans watched in disbelief as Mike Utley was carried off the turf at the Silverdome, he gave his teammates and fans the ‘thumbs up” sign to let them know he would be back someday. Well Utley is back, and in a big way. On Monday, September 12^th the Mike Utley Foundation will host its second annual golf outing at Pine Lake Country Club in West Bloomfield Township (

3300 Pine Lake Rd.

), MI. Shot-gun start is 12:30 p.m., dinner and auction begin at 6:00 p.m.  

Proceeds from the Mike Utley Golf Outing will support scholarships for therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM) in Detroit. The one-month therapy program at RIM includes a fitness assessment and training, nutrition education and state-of-the-art biofeedback at RIM's Mike Utley Center for Human Performance. This is an innovative program designed to help people achieve maximum physical performance.

After suffering a spinal cord injury (SCI) during a Lions game in 1991, Utley has made it his personal mission to show others living with this injury that they can set and achieve personal goals. “I want people who face this new challenge to be a role model for others by example, of what needs to be done to experience life to it’s fullest.” Utley said.

For more information on the golf outing click here.

The Benefits of Exercising in Water

Water provides the perfect environment for low impact exercise and sport.  For the past forty or so years there have been a variety of exercise trends involving high impact activity such as jogging or aerobics. Unfortunately, as we age or sustain injuries these types of workouts can exacerbate pain or cause further injury and eventually force us to stop exercising all together.

Water exercise and swimming have now emerged as healthy alternatives as we strive for wellness and balance in our lives. The water is also conducive to individuals with disabilities or those who may have weight bearing limitations following surgery or injury. Pre- and post-natal women and those with back pain or arthritis are also good candidates for exercise in the water. Even elite athletes have turned to water exercise and swimming in an effort to stay in shape while protecting their bodies.

The buoyant support of water allows us to subtract weight! When in waist deep water, an individual is at 50% of their actual weight; 10% actual weight when submerged to the neck. This significantly decreases stress on weight-bearing joints, bones and muscles. And for folks struggling with weight loss or obesity, the water allows for improved mobility in a “gravity free” environment. Because it is easier to move in the water, it is easier to make gains in flexibility through exercises that wouldn’t be attempted on land.

Exercise in water provides resistance which, in turn, increases strength and endurance resulting in improved cardiovascular fitness. As speed of exercise increases so does the resistance of the water. Water walking in thigh deep water for one hour can burn up to 460 calories!

The hydrostatic pressure of the water on our bodies results in better blood circulation, decreased sensitivity of the skin and in reduction of edema/swelling. This pressure also helps to promote better lung function through deeper ventilation.

There are many types of water exercise available including water aerobics, arthritis aquatic exercise, aquatic therapy/rehabilitation, water walking/jogging, strength training, sport-specific training in the water, swimming and competitive swimming just to name a few. As with any exercise program, individuals should check with their doctor prior to beginning and always swim/exercise with a lifeguard or buddy present.

By: Sue Boeve, Sr. CTRS, ATRIC, Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan