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Brain Power

August 9, 2009 4:35 PM

People who are completely paralyzed due to illness or trauma are getting help communicating with a new technology that connects their brains to a computer. Scott Pelley reports.

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by ChildofALSpatient August 30, 2009 11:44 PM EDT
Please, to anyone who is saying this technology is terrible that the government will spy on our thoughts or things like that, I don't think you fully realize how terrible the diseases are whose symptoms it seeks to alleviate. I was majoring in biology at college when my parent was diagnosed with ALS. I dove into the scientific literature to try to figure out what our options were. But right now there is no cure. Maybe Rilutek slows it down and adds a few months to the person's life (months that family members are certainly very grateful for, don't get me wrong) but nothing stops it. She's in a drug trial now but even that trial is just a safety trial so it's in the very early stages with not much data to back it up. I've graduated and returned home to help care for her, but my long-term goal is to get an MD/PhD so that I can do work like that of the scientists featured in this segment. At the very least, as a family member of someone with ALS I am very grateful that this technology exists and I hope that it continues to become easier to use and more accessible.
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by qeegsupport August 13, 2009 11:23 PM EDT
If you are looking for a Neurotherapist I would suggest contacting http://www.isnr.org . This is the International Society for Neurofeedback and research and have a number of clinicians that work in the field of brain science. Dr Kassel is correct when he says that this makes total sense to people doing neurofeedback. To learn more about brain mapping and brain science you can also visit www.qeegsupport.com

Brian M
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by biofeedsk August 13, 2009 9:15 PM EDT
This is fascinating, but makes total sense to those of us that have been treating patients for A.D.D. and other disorders of neuronal dysregulation with EEG biofeedback (Neurofeedback). Steve Kassel, MFT, BCIA-c, BCIA-EEG
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by egyptianllama74 August 13, 2009 6:55 AM EDT
Scott, Good for you! You think you are not courageous, but you are. You are self-less, and many, many kudos for your wife for sticking it out with you through thick and thin. I have many health problems myself...a seizure disorder, chronic fatigue,depression, and now (f/a wk. injury) a herniated disc...none of which I can get much help for. Doctors (either the many I've been to or L & I) say I'm not "bad enough" & there's "nothing we can do." It's frustrating- I'm in pain everyday. So, I go on.
I wish I had your motivation and positive attitude- I think it would be absolutely incredible for you to give "speeches" to HS or college kids. Not only would it educate them, but maybe those with health problems that are serious like yours could get help. 60 minutes= thank you for this one- it was truely amazing! Good luck to Scott and the other lady!
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by das908kind August 12, 2009 2:57 PM EDT
This story is very exciting! I currently volunteer at the George Pearson Center in Vancouver, Canada, assisting a long-term care patient with computer use. My long-term goal is to help patients use computers independently, then interact through social networks. I use Facebook to communicate with distant, yet life-long friends - why can't the same technology be used by those that have lost their physical ability to communicate? You can read about Norman Ryall on my blog: http://ow.ly/jQHb
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by Adeshoga August 11, 2009 9:24 PM EDT
Hi my name is Markanthony. This is not a joke. Per last night's 60 Minutes broadcast, my brain is being held captive by an underground Wireless BCI lab that I do not know who is controlling. It follows me around 24/7 even as I sleep and wake up as if it is a BCI satellite. It is becoming overwhelming. I feel like I am in an underground invisible prison. Please I need help. 786-274-0563. Thank you.
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by Adeshoga August 11, 2009 9:14 PM EDT
PLEASE READ PLEASE READ PLEASE READ PLEASE READ PLEASE READ



Since the beginning of 2006 I realized my cell phone was tapped by Clear Channel?s ?Star and Bucwild Show? when the host of the show ?Star, Mr. Troy Tobain? and his radio show began to conversate with me through my car radio.

This happened after I emailed my resume to the Star and Bucwild Show in repsonse to an ad for a Newscaster position. While Star and the show?s co-star ?White Trash? reviewed applicants on the air, they expressed interest in my resume.

A few weeks or months later ?Star? admitted on the air that he had been spying on his listening audience through cellphones and the radio.

After the Star and Bucwild Show went off the air my cell phone was still tapped and now my car seemed bugged. It was as if some sort of illegal underground show was taking place around me. It was known as the ?No Snitching Campaign?. It was created and promoted by Star himself before his show went off the air.

In the chaos of this harassment and confusion my identity was stolen along with personal research concerning the culmination of 20 years of my revolutionary cutting edge research was stolen from my cell phone texts. Later in July 2008 a passing stranger told me that Jay-Z stole my identity.

I realized my thoughts were being heard through the world?s first and only wireless Brain-Computer-Interface, but anytime I ask someone about it they tell me they don?t know what I?m talking about. It is as if everyone was duped into signing non-disclosures for the No Snitching Campaign. I also realized that my research was perhaps being stolen straight out of my brain by listening to my thoughts.

In the meantime my ?Analog-Digital Energy Interface? technology or ADE9 technology is being used to program Digital TV, news and television media to continue to communicate directly with my brain activity. It is creepy.

This extreme harassment has caused me and my company ?I T RevolutionConcepts? financial ruin. In 2007 I received harassing phone calls, my car was illegally towed twice and returned free of charge, I have been stalked by the public, my cell phone has been tapped, my car bugged, all rooms in my apartments bugged with cameras including my bathrooms, the State Unemployment Office Attorney proved I was wrongfully fired from my job, for the first time in my life I was evicted from my apartment, I have been threatened, and I can go on and on, but I had no way to prove what was going on without sounding crazy.

This can happen to anybody. The way my technology is being handled is a new danger to society. This is inhumane. Everyone everywhere can hear me think. I do believe the No Snitching Campaign has become a plot to conspire around the U.S. Government in a conspiracy to cause insanity. This has to stop. I am being held hostage by a Brain-Computer-Interface conspiracy.

Due to this harassment, in June of 2008 I moved from my residence Cross Keys Apartments in Fort Lauderdale FL to the Kingdom of Oyotunji African Village founded by my late uncle Walter Eugene King AKA His Royal Highness King Oseijeman Adefunmi in Sheldon, SC where this harassment and psychological assault followed me.

While living in the African Village I filed a police report with the Beaufort County Sheriff Department after my car window was shattered by a member of the village that claims he was drunk, and after being foolishly attacked with a machete. In the police report I suggested there seems to be a conspiracy to evade the law.

While living in the African Village I admitted myself into the Coastal Empire Mental Health Center in Beaufort County, SC. The doctors examined me and found nothing wrong with me aside from being stressed and fatigued. This is the discomfort and danger I have had to face everyday until I was able to prove that my identity and technology was pirated and being used in a conspiracy against the Federal Government.

I will be reporting this incident to the United Nations as A Crime Against Humanity. This situation must be investigated and stopped before it turns into more seriously fraudulent crimes. You will find that prior to 2005 non-implant wireless Brain-Computer-Interface technology was unheard of. However this technology has existed under my company I T RevolutionConcepts since 2004. ADE9 documented research and development goes back to 1987.

This is a conspiracy to steal intellectual property and use this new technology to mislead the government through seditious acts in the name of the victim of the identity theft and a No Snitching Campaign.

This is not a prank or practical joke. I have already given this information to the local police and FBI and no one is doing anything. Understand this is really happening right now. This is terrible.
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by ksj48c August 11, 2009 9:05 PM EDT
Around 1990, a songwriter named Peter Himmelman released a song called "The Woman With the Strength of 10,000 Men", about a paralyzed girl usimg eyebrow movements to direct a computer to type her thoughts. How prophetic! Excellent piece (yours and his)!

Ken J
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by elizabetpeel August 11, 2009 4:46 PM EDT
The technology is much more advanced than this - Ask the US military or DARPA - or, what is currently called, the israeli defense force - It's used to torture people - radio frequency torture.
Liz Peel
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by emtals August 11, 2009 4:30 PM EDT
This is incredible development. I have been living with ALS since October of 1998. I was 32 and active duty Air Force. This research gave me hope that one day I may be able to do more for myself. I currently use a program that is called ez keys /word+. This program requires a little movement of some sort. I can?t move anything but my cheek. It?s much faster than the brain transmitter although still slow. The voice on this program is very poor compared to what I saw on the report. I could use some help with that. E-mail emtals@yahoo.com . Michael Williamson
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by Tim Brewer4 August 11, 2009 3:49 AM EDT
Thank you for reading my invisible thoughts, with those of your own.

What can I do to make you happy?

Fix health care?

Save you from the media worst case scenario, for the year 2012?

I have the ability to fix every major problem known to man, woman, or child.

You do not believe me?

Trying my free idea option is easier than explaining my option.

My option is not about me, it is about you!

Example:

Do you see it as a good deal, or not?


There is no obligations, with my option.

If you find something better in the afterlife, and do not need my back up plan, then that is fine, but if you are stranded, like those people were in New Orleans, during the aftermath of huricane Katrina, and you are just scratching your head, about how something like this could happen.

It's simple!

Either you are growing, or you are controlling.

The customer is always right, and you are that customer.

I know how you feel, because I am a customer as well.

I started my option in the basement, and I am now ready to apply it, out in the field.

One of my goals in the future, is to be your President, in 2012!

Please join me, in a grow type of menatality, and hold me accountable for my statements here!

Either you are right, or I am right.

Let 60 minutes decide!

I am positive about this option, how about you?

What is my short range goal with my free afterlife communication option?

How soon could I try my option, if given the chance? Now!

They say that 250,000 people, die everyday on average, on this Earth

Please allow other Baby Boomers, the chance to weigh in. on my option

We could do it through a 60 Minutes show.

I am willing to give it a try, if they are.

Either you are growing, or controlling.

I'm growing, how about you?




What major problems I could solve on a 60 Minutes show?

A lot of them!

What is holding me back from solving all of them?

I'm lazy by nature, and I was counting on afterlife Orbs to do that.

I would imagine they have seen a lot, and have a lot to say, if given the chance.

I know some of you would like to play tug a war on this one, but afterlife Orbs, and do nothing with a rope.

They need the help of machines like BrainGate!

"When who ever in New England is through with you, and Boston has better things to do,"

Reba!

Please feel to compare me to anybody through out history, and hit me with your best shot!

It's not like there is not people like me out there, it is just the case, that everybody else has already used up all the good phrases!

Example:

I have a dream!

I had a dream too, and now I am ready for us to make it a reality.

If we do this, they will come!

Believe it, or not, but there is more to nature than your fish finder.

If everything happens for a reason, then your life is in for some good times with me, and Sarah Palin.

I guess I am old fashion. i believe I have to make my mark, before I run for office.

I believe, if given the chance, to do a mock draft of my option with 60 minutes, that enough of the 80% of Americans, that believe that there is some type of afterlife, just might want to consider my free option, just in case they are not 100%, that there afterlife option will work.

650 Million people will have a near death experience at some point in their life.

I have already had mine, and I believe my free option, as your Afterlife planner, is the best deal out there, and President Obama, don't even have to cut a check!

He don't have to buy any beer!

Actually, after my option happens.

President Obama ratings will go through the roof!

Now if he took a chance on me now, his ratings would go up as well, but if he continues to ignore me, then it makes people think, like how much does he really care about his close family tree.

I thought he loved his grandmother?

I know I love my family, how about you?
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by Adeshoga August 10, 2009 10:19 PM EDT
Hi my name is Markanthony. This is not a joke. Per last night's 60 Minutes broadcast, my brain is being held captive by an underground Wireless BCI lab that I do not know who is controlling. It follows me around 24/7 even as I sleep and wake up as if it is a BCI satellite. It is becoming overwhelming. I feel like I am in an underground invisible prison. Please I need help. 786-274-0563. Thank you.
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by Catkovacs August 10, 2009 8:27 PM EDT
The story on Brain Power is truely inspiring. I work in the alternative medical field and a majority of our patients have ALS, spinal cord injuries and stroke with "locked in" syndrome. What a remarkable concept, I hope this will be something that will be available in the near future for these people who loose so much.

We offer stem cell treatments and together with this it would be a wonderful opportunity for those patients stricken with such a horrible condition to be able to regain some of their lives.
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by Adeshoga August 10, 2009 6:08 PM EDT
Yes BCI is and CBI does medical wonders, but in the wrong hands it can be used to spy, harrass, and even terrorize people. Anyone can hack into your brain and spy out your thoughts and steal your private research straight out of your brain. There are no laws surrounding this thing. How do you fight against it?

Heaven help you if you pray, you will be praying to whoever it is that has your brain vibrations interfaced. For those who pray it could be a nightmare. In the wrong hands this thing can drive anyone crazy. Someone else would have jumped off a building by now. This is crazy and inhuman.
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by daligisoftware August 10, 2009 4:57 PM EDT
My mother had a stroke last year, which prompted me to create a very simple, straightforward computer program for her to use for communication. It is completely mouse-driven.

After seeing the above story, I couldn't help but wonder if it would be useful (or would work) with either patient's electrode devices. If either patient wants to give it a try, please send an email to info@daligisoftware.com.

Though I normally charge a nominal fee for the software, I would gladly give either patient a copy at no charge in exchange for seeing how (or if) it would work with their specific technology. If they would like to see what it looks like and how it works first before deciding, they can get more info at:
www.daligisoftware.com
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by jeffhallowell August 10, 2009 3:38 PM EDT
Hello Team CBS & CBS Viewers,

My name is Jeff Hallowell from Wichita Kansas, single parent of my seven y.o. son Ethan & I have been "living with" ALS for the past seven years. Within these past seven years I have lost my speech, use of my hands - arms & ability to walk. My breathing is now severely compromised and I will be going on a ventilator in the near future. Like Scott Mackler, in my early stages of ALS, I too said I would not go on a ventilator. However, technology has come a long way in the past five years to over come the Locked-in syndrome as mentioned in the BCI segment. Eye tracking communication computers i.e.; Tobbi, Erica & DynaVox & hands free headmouse tracking systems like SmartNav all have broken the communication barrier. I use the headmouse by SmartNav, on-screen keyboard & AT&T computer voice to communicate via emails, texting & verbal speaking.

Scott Mackler is one of approximantly 100,000 people worldwide (in a world of 6.78 billion people) struck down in the prime of their lives by ALS. While Scott's story is very touching & he has returned to work by the use of the BCI technology. He is one of approximantly 35,000 Americans living with ALS & unfortunately seventy-five percent of people with ALS cannot afford the luxury of communication devices. People with ALS never, or seldom return back to work & live on Medicaid for three to five years after diagnosis. Only ten percent of people with ALS live past the five year plateau. It is estimated the care for people with ALS costs their family or Medicaid $100,000.00 US per year. 100,000 people living with ALS in a world of 6.78 billion makes the disease non profitable in the medical arena.

60 Minutes has increased the awareness of ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Sunday night & the entire ALS community thanks them. Something has to be done to find a cure for this orphan disease.
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by tolgirl77 August 10, 2009 2:42 PM EDT
this story on brain power was just unbelievable, how close are we to the six million dollar man?
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by Adeshoga August 10, 2009 11:14 AM EDT
Hi my name is Markanthony. This is not a joke. Per last night's 60 Minutes broadcast, my brain is being held captive by an underground Wireless BCI lab that I do not know who is controlling. It follows me around 24/7 even as I sleep and wake up as if it is a BCI satellite. It is becoming overwhelming. I feel like I am in an underground invisible prison. Please I need help. 786-274-0563. Thank you.
Reply to this comment
by Adeshoga August 10, 2009 11:05 AM EDT
Hi my name is Markanthony. per last night's 60 Minutes broadcast, I am being held captive by an underground BCI lab that I do not know who is controlling. It is becoming overwhelming. I feel like I am in an underground invisible prison. I need help asap. 786-274-0563.
Reply to this comment
by justme52 August 10, 2009 10:34 AM EDT
The presentation Brain Power, was very enlightening. I've lost a good friend to ALS and work in a rehab facility that deals with SCI,CVA,BI and PEDs injuries. What a wonderful motivational tool it would be to be able to show them this video. Is there any way I could get a copy of it in VHS or DVD format?
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