Spinal Cord Injury Awareness month was established in 2014 by the passing of U.S. Senate Resolution 533. It's been established to go beyond bringing attention to spinal cord injuries and to move toward the ultimate goal of finding a cure for spinal cord damage. In addition, this month seeks to increase awareness about the kinds of mobility issues that individuals may experience after suffering from spinal cord injuries and how to mitigate those issues through specialized care and support.
According to the most recent statistics from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), there are estimated to be between 252,000 and 3738,000 people living with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) in the United States. There are estimated to be approximately 17,900 new cases occurring each year "” a number that does not include individuals who die at the location of the incident that caused the SCI. Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury, followed closely by falls. Acts of violence (mainly gunshot wounds) and sports activities are also relatively common causes.
How you can observe Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month
- Make a donation in honor of a loved one, caregiver, scientist or organization who is working to improve the life of those injured.
- Post to your social media to share information about Spinal Cord Injuries and why finding a cure for SCI is important to you.
- Reach out to a friend or relative who has a SCI. According to research, people with SCI are at higher risk chronic conditions like depression and anxiety, substance use disorder, and chronic pain. In these weird and isolating times of COVID-19, the kindness of connecting has an extra important impact.
Let us know in the comments and social media how you are observing Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month!
Sources:
Duggan C, Wilson C, Diponio L, Trumpower B, Meade MA. Resilience and Happiness After Spinal Cord Injury: A Qualitative Study. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation. 2016;22(2):99-110. doi:10.1310/sci2202-99. (Open Access)
Join us in raising spinal cord injury awareness. United Spinal Association. (2020, September 10). https://unitedspinal.org/spinal-cord-injury-awareness-month/.
National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, Facts and Figures at a Glance. Birmingham, AL: University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2021.
September is National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. The Miami Project. (2021). Retrieved 31 August 2021, from https://www.themiamiproject.org/september-is-national-spinal-cord-injury-awareness-month/.
Team, S. (2020, December 3). Spinal cord Injury Month: Best ways to help raise awareness. Spinal Cord Injury & Brain Injuries Resources & Legal Help. https://www.spinalcord.com/blog/spinal-cord-injury-best-ways-to-help-raise-awareness.
