Whether or not you know someone in your life with a spinal cord injury (SCI), you probably know that this type of injury can drastically impact one’s life and ultimately take away their ability to walk, move, and live independently.
According to 2018 data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCSC), anywhere between 247,000 and 358,000 people in the U.S. are currently living with the condition. Additionally, there are about 17,700 new cases of SCI each year—and one person every 48 seconds who becomes paralyzed in the U.S.
In 2014, the U.S. Senate designated September as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness for those living with SCI and the need for better treatments and prevention.
Causes of SCI
About 90% of all cases of SCI are the result of totally preventable accidents. Specifically, statistics from the NSCSC site the following causes of SCI:
- Vehicular accidents (38.3%) - the leading cause of SCI; includes car collisions, truck crashes, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents
- Falls (31.6%)
- Violence (13.8%) - this includes all types of physical violence, including assaults and gunshot wounds
- Sports injuries/recreational activities (8.2%) - includes trauma related to sports accidents and other activities
- Medical/surgical (4.6%) - some types of surgery or medical treatment can lead to SCI
- Other (3.5%) - any other causes not listed above
Steps You Can Take
When it comes to spreading awareness SCI, there’s something that everyone has the ability to do. Here are some individual steps that you can take to make a positive impact during National SCI Awareness Month:
- Donate your money or your time. If you are looking for a meaningful way to make a difference, you can make volunteer at charity events or make donations to numerous organizations that support those living with SCI, such as:
- Spend time with someone with SCI. One of the most impactful ways we can make a difference is to be open to hearing the stories of those living with the condition, having a meaningful conversation about their accomplishments, and letting them know you are there for them.
- Share information and resources. Social media is a fast and easy tool that you can use to spread awareness about SCI and share resources and statistics about the condition. You can follow some of the organizations we listed above and share their posts so that others can learn more about SCI, too!
By taking these seemingly small steps, you have the ability to raise awareness and even potentially reduce the number of future SCI cases that occur each year. If you or someone you know has been impacted by SCI, McNabola & Associates may be able to provide legal assistance if the injury was the result of an accident.
Learn how our firm can help you and your family. Contact McNabola & Associates at (312) 888-8700 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free case review.
