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Welcome to the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation, Inc. (SPF), dedicated to finding the cures for HSP and PLS and providing information and support services

NEW: Are you living with spasticity? Please participate in a short Survey developed by WE MOVE which addresses patient satisfaction with medical management and current spasticity treatment options.
 

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Join us at 2008 National Conference

 

PLS Awareness Month Campaign - 48
cosponsors still needed

 

2007 Research Awards announced

 

See TeamWalk 

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See Calendar of events

 

Online email support groups

 

March-April E-News newsletter

The SPF is the only organization dedicated to two groups of neurodegenerative disorders called Spastic Paraplegia (Hereditary and Apparently Sporadic)* and Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS). These spinal cord disorders cause progressive weakness and spasticity in the muscles in the lower body. People generally go from difficulty walking to needing a cane to eventually a wheelchair.

In PLS, the disease also affects muscles in the upper body, causing problems with the arms, voice and swallowing. Many people with HSP or PLS also have pain, balance disturbance, or bladder or bowel problems. Very rare forms of Spastic Paraplegia can cause retardation, dementia, epilepsy, vision problems, skin problems or other neurological problems.

The impetus for forming the Foundation was inspired by the accelerating pace of research. Dramatic breakthroughs have been made in the past decade, catapulting these conditions from being poorly understood to being on the threshold of significant treatment and cures.

The Spastic Paraplegia Foundation is a volunteer-managed and operated non-profit organization devoted to finding the causes and cures for these disorders and to providing information and support programs. In just five years, over 1.5 million dollars have been awarded in medical research grants.

Contact us to help support our vision of the day when all individuals with HSP or PLS are diagnosed, treated and cured.

Meet some everyday heroes (click their photos to read their stories):

Geneva Geneva Ken Tom Flora

Nickolas

Geneva Ken Tom Flora

* Other names used for HSP: Familial Spastic Paraparesis (or paraplegia), Spastic Paraplegia, Strümpell Disease, Hereditary Charcot-Disease, Spastic Spinal Paralysis, Diplegia Spinalis Progressiva, French Settlement Disease, Troyer Syndrome, and Silver.

Upcoming SPF Connections
Fishkill, NY - May 10
Hartford, CT - June 4
Philadelphia - June 6-7
Mayfield, KY - July 21
Georgia - Aug 8-10
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last updated 04/21/2008
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