By John Benson Special to The Gazette

For quadriplegic Maria Sutter, life hasn’t been the same since Halloween 2004, when she was hit from behind by a car while riding her bicycle.

However, a whole new world of possibility has opened up for Sutter, who after her accident was left without the use of her legs and limited use of her arms and hands.

Exactly a year ago, she underwent a surgical procedure to implant a device that uses electrical currents to generate activity to the nervous system, which enables the movement of paralyzed limbs.

“The system that I have stimulates my left hand, so that now I can hold a pen and take notes during classes, because I’m in grad school at John Carroll University,” said Sutter, who now lives with her parents in Medina. “I can pick up objects like books and move around things on my desk.

“I can operate my cell phone, hold drinking cups and use regular silverware again. So it’s really given me a lot of freedom just in my day-to-day mundane activities.”

Considering Sutter was quite active prior to her accident, she’s now looking forward to attempting physical activities.

Her new system allows her to grasp a tennis racket, so after a family member’s encouragement, she started playing tennis. More so, Sutter is optimistic regarding the endless opportunities the future may hold.

“Just like with everything, the technology seems to be moving so quickly that I’m sure there will be more advancement and more things that are going to be very applicable to my needs,” Sutter said.

The local organization responsible for Sutter’s system is the Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Center, which is a consortium of three nationally recognized institutions: Department of Veteran Affairs, MetroHealth Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University.

The Cleveland FES Center’s mission statement is to provide those with muscular, skeletal or neurological impairments with an option to recover function and enhance life.

Invariably, this type of “Star Wars” medical technology is exciting, which is why the Cleveland FES Center is taking part in Case Western Reserve University’s sixth annual Research ShowCASE April 16 and 17 at the Veale Convocation Center in Cleveland.

“The free two-day public event highlights the latest research of more than 500 undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students, as well as faculty members at the university,” said Case Western Reserve University Director of Communications and Development Cindy Barker.

“Researchers from the university and its collaborating institutions, including University Hospitals, MetroHealth System, the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Cleveland Clinic, will be on hand to present their work and discuss compelling topics ranging from aging to wind energy to cord blood research.”

Last year, Research ShowCASE attracted 2,000 attendees, including fellow researchers, entrepreneurs, members of the general public and civic and business leaders.

“It’s for anybody who has an interest in new technology and new ways of thinking,” Barker said. “The general public can find this fascinating as well. Not everything will be way over their heads in terms of technology.”

So it’s sort of geek friendly?

Laughed Barker, “Oh absolutely, but for a more sophisticated level of geek.”

For more information, visit http://showcase.case.edu or call 216-368-5963.

Benson may be reached at ididhear@aol.com.