Inspire foundation
We awarded £65,000 to the INSPIRE Foundation to fund research which aims to improve the quality of life and independence of those living with spinal cord injuries.
The project will be led by research scientist Sean Doherty who broke his neck in a mountain bike accident in 2008. Sean and his team hope to develop wearable stimulation devices to control bladder and bowel as an alternative to pharmaceutical therapies.
While the inability to walk is often considered the most challenging consequence of spinal cord injury, the loss of control of bladder and bowel is often the most difficult to manage, and can have a persistent and detrimental effect on health, welfare and quality of life.
Throughout the UK, there are around 40,000 people living with a spinal cord injury and it is hoped that this project will have a huge impact on the lives of those affected.