Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day 2024

Today is not just 17 May 2024. It is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day.

According to the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), 2,500 people are affected by spinal cord injuries every year. It can happen in a split second following a fall, a road traffic accident, an illness or disease affecting the spinal cord, or an operation that goes wrong. It can happen to anyone. In fact, it is estimated that 60,000 people in the UK are living with a spinal cord injury.

What is the spinal cord?

The spinal cord is the method of communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Any damage to the spinal cord can damage the communication either temporarily or permanently. The neurons and axons that help channel the communication are unable to heal like other tissues that may be damaged in the body, which is what makes spinal cord injuries so serious.

The key issue when assessing an injury is how and where the damage has occurred. This will reveal to what extent the communication has been affected and, in stark terms, how life-changing the injury will be. A spinal cord injury can significantly affect independence and create everyday challenges. It can be both physically and psychologically life-changing.

What can we do on Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day?

Educate. Make sure you know what to do if you suffer or you suspect someone has suffered a spinal cord injury. The advice from St John’s Ambulance varies depending on whether the casualty is responsive or unresponsive. For both the following is key:

• reassure the casualty and do not move them unless they are in immediate damage. Call 999 or 112 for emergency help
• steady and support their head so the head, neck and spine are in a straight line.

Further instructions given by the emergency services should be followed.

Consider supporting spinal cord injury organisations. There are many organisations that assist people living with a spinal cord injury as well as family, friends and caregivers.

These include:

• Spinal Injuries Association
• Aspire
• Back Up Trust
• Spinal Injuries Scotland
• WheelPower
• Horatio’s Garden
• Regain Sports charity
• Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research.

It is also a day to listen to the spinal cord injury community as the Spinal Injuries Association is asking, “ What would you do if you could? So take a moment to consider some of the contributions which emphasise the hopes of the spinal cord injury community and highlight the importance of research.

Contact our medical negligence solicitors today

If you believe we can assist you when pursuing a Medical Negligence claim, please get in contact with us on 0330 191 4835 or fill out our online enquiry form.

Our experienced team of lawyers will be able to offer advice and guide you through every step of the claims process and our in-house rehabilitation coordinators can help to support you through your recovery.