OUR MISSION

The mission of the International Institute of SPORT (IIOS) is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities in the less economically developed countries worldwide.

WHO WE ARE

We are a non-profit advocating for the disabled in areas of public access, education, integration, job skills, physical rehabilitation, therapeutic recreation and disaster relief. We are educators, artists, administrators and professionals. We are also networkers and are grateful for our partners.

WHAT WE DO

We engage children and adults in art projects geared to developing an understanding of disability. We help rehabilitate and train disabled athletes for the Paralympics. We help disabled people become employees and business owners. We provide art supplies, medical supplies and mobility devices. We represent disabled artists in the world art market. We advocate for the disabled in business and government affairs to help secure access to jobs and transportation.

Dr. Charles R. Gordon - Spinal Injury Consultant

Dr. Charles R. Gordon is a Research Scientist and a Board Certified Neurological Surgeon specializing in the treatment of spine injury, deformity, and degeneration. Dr. Gordon is one of the first two East Texas surgeons trained to replace a degenerated spinal disc with an Artificial Disc.

He is also the author of the acclaimed devotional book, "In Plain Sight - Seeing God's Signature throughout Creation."

Dr. Gordon is committed to the research and implementation of surgical solutions for the spine. He is actively involved in efforts to maintain spinal mobility. His interest rests in solving issues related to the entire functional spinal unit (vertebra, disc, and facet joints).

BOARD CERTIFICATION: American Board of Neurological Surgery November 1996

EDUCATION: Baylor College of Medicine 1983 - 1987 Degree: MD Internship and Residency: General Surgery Medical College of Virginia 1987 - 1988

FELLOWSHIPS: Neurosurgery Medical College of Virginia 1988 - 1993

MEDICAL LICENSURE: Texas - 1992; Virginia - 1987

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Mother Frances Hospital, Tyler, TX East Texas Medical Center, Tyler, TX Tyler Rehabilitation Hospital, Tyler, TX Texas Spine & Joint Hospital, Tyler, TX

SOCIETIES: Affiliate, North American Spine Society Texas Medical Association Smith County Medical Association American Medical Association Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons American Association of Neurological Surgeons

ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS: American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Joint Section on Tumors Preuss Award for Resident Research, 1990 Achievement Reward for College Scientists, 1983 Deans Scholarship for Academic Achievement, 1981, 1982, 1983 Phi Beta Sigma honor fraternity at Texas Tech, 1983 .