The Brisbane Lions recently honored Philip O’Keefe, a longtime Melbourne-based Lions fan and the first person ever in the world to tweet using an implantable brain computer interface (BCI), along with Thomas Oxley, MD, PhD, CEO of Synchron, who conceptualised the technology.
Mr O’Keefe, who suffers from advanced Motor Neurone disease and is effectively paralysed, was able to share his ‘favourite moment’ using the implant late last year to message Synchron co-founder Nick Opie stating ,“Essendon can’t beat the Lions”.
Dr. Oxley, a passionate Lions fans residing in New York (CEO and founder of Synchron), and his Synchron colleagues are working to commercialise Synchron’s technology and bring the benefits to more patients like Philip who have paralysis.
“The AFL and the Australian community have all been inspired by and witnessed the remarkable determination shown by Neale Daniher and all Motor Neurone Disease patients and show their commitment to this cause through the annual Big Freeze FightMND initiative”, commented Brisbane Lions Senior Coach Chris Fagan, a close friend of Daniher.
“Phil is an inspiration to our club, and we were incredibly excited to learn about his brave efforts in his fight against the impact of MND, as well as Tom’s efforts to make life easier for patients with MND”, Fagan said. “It means a lot to us to have them as fans.”
Former Brisbane Lions triple premiership star, Chris Johnson, surprised Mr. O’Keefe with a Brisbane Lions team-signed jumper during a tour of the club’s Museum at Marvel Stadium in Docklands, Australia. The MND Victoria organization participated in the event and shared its gratitude to both honorees as well as the entire Brisbane Lions football club.
“We cannot thank the Lions enough for the wonderful surprise and thrill given to Phil today who is just so passionate about the Lions,” said Triss O’Keefe, partner of Mr O’Keefe.
Mr O’Keefe who watches all the Lions games will never forget his team’s triple premiership wins of 2001, 2002 and 2003. Motor Neurone Disease (MND) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), causes progressive paralysis and has made it impossible for him to engage in work-related or other independent activities.
Through the Synchron’s technology, Mr O’Keefe has been able to email, text, bank and shop online using his thoughts since 2020. He is one of the first people ever to receive and test the only endovascular BCI, Synchron’s Stentrode, which is currently in clinical trials in Australia and the US.
“It’s incredible that the Lions have given Phil and his family this thrill. The AFL is truly amazing in the way it brings communities together,” said Oxley.
“Phil is blazing the path for patients with paralysis, and his extraordinary contributions will certainly help future MND patients as the search for a cure continues.”
Both Mr. O’Keefe and Dr. Oxley will again be cheering their beloved Lions on in 2022, with Mr. O’Keefe determined to tweet about many of his team’s successes.
