Spinal Cord Injury Awareness
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month takes place in September each year. The U.S. Senate designated this month to educate those around us about how widespread this injury is and how we may be able to prevent it from happening. Those with spinal cord injuries are very familiar with this particular injury’s outcomes, unlike those who do not understand how difficult it is to deal with daily.
This is also a time to come together, give our time and/or money to spread awareness, and support spinal injury foundations, organizations, and charities to make a difference in the lives of those with spinal cord injuries. Various organizations are dedicating a significant amount of effort and time to continued research to find better treatments and therapies that might offer an optimistic outlook for those living with paralysis.
A Few Facts About The Human Spine
- The human spine is a complex structure that is comprised of 33 bones, over 120 muscles, more than 200 ligaments, discs, and many nerves.
- Car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. It takes a huge amount of force to sever a spinal cord. According to an article, it would take the force equal to a 500 lb. vehicle smashing into a wall at 30 mph. That’s quite a force!
- The neurons in the spine carry pain signals to the brain after an injury. Because of this, the body becomes more sensitive to pain, which explains why we feel that the aching and soreness seem to linger on after our spine-related injury.
Spinal cord injuries can happen at any point in life for various reasons, from birth to further into adulthood. Injury to the spinal cord can cause conditions such as loss of bladder and/or bowel control, pain, or tingling sensations due to nerve fiber damage, circulation issues, and respiratory symptoms.
There are many organizations, foundations, and charities that you can get involved with or donate to show support and possibly change the life of someone who suffers from a spinal cord injury.
Organizations that Make a Difference
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
This is a wonderful foundation dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. It provides several opportunities to get involved in supporting its mission, whether directly or indirectly, with a donation. Its mission, “Today’s Care. Tomorrow’s Cure,” represents the endless optimism for those who suffer from paralysis worldwide.
The foundation offers free support for caregivers and patients alike. It provides access to trained specialists for personalized support, offers a Military and Veterans Program, and encourages other types of involvement throughout communities to promote living a quality life. The continuous research this foundation performs has led to many potential successful treatments and therapies.
United Spinal Association
This association’s aim is to help make the lives of those living with a spinal cord injury and disorder more comfortable and fulfilling. They believe that you can overcome the challenges that are faced when some of your independence may be taken from you. Click here for more information on how you can help change lives in so many ways with this association.
Facing Disability
This is a unique platform for those who have unexpectedly faced the challenges of a spinal cord injury to connect with others who have been down this path. Members can share experiences and successes with others and discuss everything related to living a life with paralysis. You can make a difference by clicking here.
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Wow! Amazing stories of accomplishment and defeat can be read on this organization’s site. The leadership and volunteer teams are completely comprised of paralyzed veterans. For over 70 years, this organization has been a leading advocate for research, education, benefits, and civil rights for veterans and those living with disabilities across the nation.
Many opportunities to get involved and other ways to give are listed here. Numerous helplines are available as well, ranging from caregiver and legal support to job assistance.
How We Can Help Those With a Spinal Cord Injury
As mentioned earlier in this post, a spinal cord injury can lead to many different complications. When the nervous system isn’t communicating properly, normal bodily functions may become difficult or out of routine. The loss of bowel and bladder control, increased nerve sensitivity, and circulatory problems can begin to happen, to mention a few.
We at Personally Delivered offer a wide range of products and supplies that may help alleviate and manage some symptoms that a spinal cord injury may propel into motion. Our large selection of closed-system catheters will help empty your bladder throughout the day, and you may find our vascular compression products beneficial in increasing the blood flow to the lower limbs. Sometimes, the trauma may result in the need for incontinence products such as diapers, briefs, or underpads. Whatever symptoms you are experiencing from a spinal cord injury, we likely have a solution to helping you live a comfortable and dignified life.
For more information about understanding spinal cord injury, the recovery process, and informative videos, click here.
Our dedicated team at Personally Delivered is available to discuss any home delivery medical supplies you require. We will ensure that you get exactly what you need in a discreet and timely manner. We are just a phone call away.
