In honor of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month we are sharing messages from members and staff who are making a profound impact on our community by embracing United Spinal Association’s mission and leading the way to build a more inclusive world for wheelchair users.
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month is another great opportunity to show the world not only the challenges the disability community faces to reach true equality but also an opportunity to show the world the power of our community as resilient, perseverant innovators!
— Vincenzo Piscopo, CEO, United Spinal Association
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month is another opportunity to educate, raise awareness, and celebrate how far we have come, while also highlighting the importance of continued research and changes that still need to made in order to support equality and inclusion for all individuals with SCIs.
— Annie Streit, Grassroots Advocacy Manager, United Spinal Association
When I became a paraplegic 34 years ago, it was the worst thing that happened to a 20 year-old young adult. However, organizations like the United Spinal Association helped me see what was possible. The resources, community and peer support have impacted my life and countless thousands are thriving because of United Spinal.
— Carmen Jones, Board Member, United Spinal Association
A spinal cord injury is not the end, it’s a new beginning full of strength, courage and hope. Life does not end here, no matter the diagnosis, everything will be in your mind, heart and the desire you have to get ahead. You will be surprised how big and far you can go.
— Normarie Alicea Berrios, President, Puerto Rico Chapter, United Spinal Association
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month gives people who are not familiar with the effects of SCI/D a chance to see our capabilities. Such awareness also brings to the forefront issues that are either not currently being addressed or issues that affect us negatively. Having a SCI myself allows me to appreciate the hard work that many before us have done in regards to overall accessibility. We still have a ways to go but, there is no doubt that SCI Awareness Month will aid in getting us to where we ultimately want to be.
— Nick LiBassi, Vice President Partnership Expansion, United Spinal Association
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month gives us an awesome opportunity to tell stories of how our community has contributed in all industries across the board. It gives us a unique opportunity to uplift others in our community to not let fear of the unknown prevent them from achieving great things.
— Paul Amadeus Lane, TV & Radio Personality, Member of United Spinal’s Tech Advisory Group
We are honored to fight this fight! It is our right! So, when we meet on Capitol Hill, we hold our head up, stand our ground, and tell the real news. We have a right to health care! We have a right to live in our communities. We have a right to equal access to our communities. Being independent is our civil right! And we won’t be denied our rights! We are organized, we are powerful, and we know what we want!
— Shannon Minnick, United Spinal Member, Washington, DC
- The annual incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) is approximately 54 cases per one million people in the U.S., or about 17,900 new SCI cases each year.
- The average age at injury has increased from 29 years during the 1970s to 43 years recently. About 78 percent of new SCI cases are male. Vehicle crashes are the most recent leading cause of injury, closely followed by falls. Acts of violence (primarily gunshot wounds) and sports/recreation activities are also relatively common causes.
- SCI is an injury to the spinal cord that may affect motor, sensory and autonomic function often resulting in paralysis, loss of sensation, and autonomic dysfunction (such as blood pressure instability and disruptions in temperature regulation). People who sustain a spinal cord injury often have permanent and profound neurologic deficits and accompanying disability.
- Increased education and investment in research are key factors in improving outcomes and enhancing the quality of life of all individuals with spinal cord injuries.
To learn more about SCI, visit https://unitedspinal.org/spinal-cord-injury-facts-and-figures/.