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Spinal cord injury research

JEFFERSON CITY - Steve Palermo, an assistant Commissioner of Major League Baseball, recently urged lawmakers to establish a spinal cord injury research program at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Palermo was paralyzed in 1991, but can now walk thanks to a wonder drug discovered around the time of his injury.

When it comes to spinal cord injury, according to Palermom, we need to take the "A" out of care and replace it with a "U" for cure.

"Ten years ago, it did not seem likely that there would be a cure for paralysis, but recent major developments have shown that there is reason to hope," said Sen. Bill Kenney, R-Lee's Summit, in a written statement.

Kenney's bill creates an advisory board to fund spinal cord injury research in Missouri. It is currently under consideration by the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.

An estimated 250,000 Americans live with spinal cord injury, according to Kenney.