A civil rights issue: Innovation for those with disabilities

Innovation in health care has produced some important discoveries, especially as it concerns those with disabilities.

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Juan “Emilio” Duran-Reyes, 14 months, reacts to Dr. Danielle Knowlton as she makes sounds and taps his shoulder with a toy at the Barton Audiology office in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., on Nov. 3, 2011. He is held by his mother, Carmen Reyes, while Nelsoannin Hurtado, Barton Health Spanish medical interpreter, rear, assists with communication. Duran-Reyes received a cochlear implant that includes a microphone and processor wrapped around his ear and a magnetic disc that connects the external portion of the device to the part implanted inside his ear.

Michael Higdon / AP

Juan "Emilio" Duran-Reyes's cochlear implant is seen during a test at the Barton Audiology office in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

Michael Higdon / AP

Twelve-year-old Peyton Lavigne, center, talks about his life with a disorder called optic atrophy with his parents, Amy, left, and Mike, at their home in Elgin, Minn. on July 7, 2011. Peyton, who is legally blind, traveled to China with his parents to receive stem cell injections that could improve his vision. Updates on Peyton’s condition have been posted to Facebook.

Andrew Link / AP

Brenna Huckaby, 15, takes steps with her new, computerized prosthetic leg at Hanger Prosthetic and Orthotics Inc. in Baton Rouge on Feb. 17, 2011. Bernie Watson, left, a Hanger Prosthetic and Orthotics.-certified prosthetist and David Baty, clinical specialist with the manufacturer Freedom Innovations observe. Huckaby, a competitive gymnast, was diagnosed with bone cancer last fall and her right leg was amputated. The new leg will help her walk more naturally.

Travis Spradling / AP

Sometimes it isn’t about technological advancement so much as individual determination. Michael Hubbs, poses for a picture at the Galleria Dallas Mall in Texas on April 21, 2011. Hubbs is currently training in Utah to take part in the 2014 Winter Olympics. He was born deaf and attended the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin.

G.J. McCarthy / AP

Amanda Boxtel demonstrates the eLEGS, a new wearable robot or exoskeleton, for patients with lower extremity paralysis or weakness on July 22, 2011, in Englewood, Colo. Boxtel was paralyzed from the waist-down in a skiing accident and is now able to walk using this device.

Kathryn Scott Osler / AP

Amanda Boxtel demonstrates the eLEGS, which were developed by Berkeley Bionics. The device was used at Craig Hospital in an investigational study. Adam Zoss, Senior Engineer for Berkeley Bionics, claps in support.

Kathryn Scott Osler / AP

Kalie Milton plays with her 14-month old daughter, Skylie in their Billings, Mont., home on Sept, 12, 2011. Skylie recently had stem cell surgery in China to correct blindness caused from septo optic dysplasia. Skylie and her family spent 28 days in China for her treatment.

James Woodcock / AP

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