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Events to Raise Awareness of Spinal Cord Injuries
Information provided by Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care - Published: 2010-11-10
The Minister for Disability Services, Peter Primrose, has encouraged people to gain a better understanding of spinal cord injuries and, importantly, what can be done to prevent them.
Mr Primrose made the comments at the Wheels for a Day event in Martin Place this morning to mark Spinal Injuries Awareness Week, which runs from November 7 to 13.
Celebrating its fifth year, Wheels for a Day is hosted by Paraquad NSW and is part of the calendar of events for the NSW Government’s Don't DISmyABILITY campaign leading up to the International Day of People with a Disability on December 3.
The key messages of Wheels for a Day and Spinal Injuries Awareness Week are:
- To raise awareness of the daily challenges faced by people who use wheelchairs;
- 52% of all spinal cord injuries are a direct result of traffic related accidents;
- Equal access to all is not a 'frill' – it is a basic human right;
- Equal access encourages higher rates of social participation from all members of our community;
- The big barriers that prevent wheelchair users from participating in work environments are physical access and other peoples' attitudes.
This year the main feature will be an exhibition wheelchair rugby game featuring the champion NSW Gladiators versus a team of former League Legends.
“I hope that from today, people get will get a better understanding of what it means to have a spinal cord injury and, importantly, what can be done to prevent one,” Mr Primrose said.
“Some of us can only imagine the physical and emotional challenges endured through the process of rehabilitation, coming home, trying to get on with life, adjusting and continuing to be active in the community, in sport and in the workplace.”
Mr Primrose said it was now just over seven years since the NSW Premier's Forum on Spinal Cord Injury and Conditions was held.
“That particular event will always be remembered for the impact it had in increasing awareness of spinal cord injuries, emphasising the importance of research and promoting initiatives to enhance the quality of life for people affected by spinal cord injury,” Mr Primrose said.
Mr Primrose also commended Paraquad (the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of NSW) for its work providing support over a person’s lifetime to help them and their family adjust to the injury.
“This support includes modern accommodation in Lidcombe, Berala and Newcastle, a nursing service, a social worker, advocacy and community awareness, specialist clinical referral and an information and referral telephone line.
“ParaQuad is also one of the largest providers of Attendant Care services in NSW with quality services going to 70 clients around the State.
“They have become central to the ongoing health and wellbeing of people with an acquired spinal cord injury,” Mr Primrose said.
He said that through Ageing, Disability and Home Care, the NSW government provided recurrent funds to non-government organisations to deliver a variety of services for people with a disability.
“As well as funding peak bodies such as the Physical Disability Council and organisations with specialised expertise in the area of physical disability and spinal cord injury such as ParaQuad, the Attendant Care Program alone is providing $61 million to more than 50 service providers across New South Wales this financial year.”
The Don't DISmyABILITY campaign includes up to 100 events held throughout November and December each year to celebrate the diversity and ability of people with a disability.
For more information visit: www.dontdismyability.com.au
For more information on Spinal Injuries Awareness Week visit: www.paraquad.com.au
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- This web page is from the Disabled World 2010 Health Disability Events section which provides: List of coming health medical and disability events for 2010 from USA Australia Canada and the UK.
- Disability Benefits Crucial to Surviving With Spinal Cord Injury
- Health and Disability News - NSW Australia - Disabled World
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