Dimapur, September 4 : The International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), supported in India by The Spinal Foundation at Pan-India level and other organisations working at regional levels, has decided to observe ‘Spinal Cord Injury Day’ on September 5 every year. The purpose is to increase “better awareness” in the public to “facilitate an inclusive life” for persons with disability and ensure greater chances of success of prevention programmes.
“Spinal cord injury (SCI) and the resultant paralysis have devastating physical, mental, social, sexual and vocational consequences for the injured. In addition, injury increases the economic burden on the person who sustains an SCI and potentially his or her entire support network,” stated Diethono Nakhro, coordinator of the Nagaland chapter of the Spinal Foundation, in a press release on Sunday. “And it isn’t always bad luck that causes spinal cord injuries. In many cases, it is carelessness, recklessness, ignorance or bad decisions.”
For instance, she stated, car and motorcycle crashes are one of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries – and many of these crashes happen simply because of reckless and unsafe driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, etc.
“While the goal of management is to get the spinal injured to lead an inclusive life, because of the permanence of disability in complete injuries, prevention assumes special significance. Most spinal cord injuries can be prevented. The common saying is, ‘Prevention is better than cure’. But in fact, where a spinal cord injury is concerned, Prevention is cure.”
Injury prevention
A Spinal Cord Injury leads to multiple disabilities at one stroke. There is no cure for Spinal Cord Injury anywhere in the world. The effects are lifelong, hence the importance of Injury Prevention.
A Spinal Cord Injury leads to loss of sensation, mobility of legs, hands and fingers depending on injury level, bladder control, bowel control, impacts your sexual life and ability to pro-create, ease of respiration, temperature control and several attendant challenges such as bed sores and urinary tract infection.
Persons with Spinal Cord Injury who get good and timely rehabilitation and support live healthy, successful and productive lives. But rehabilitation facilities are scarce and the process very costly. On a conservative basis, there are about 10,000 new Spinal Cord Injury cases in India every year – more reasons why Prevention is important.
The note listed out some imperatives concerning health and upkeep of the spinal cord.
• Spinal Cord is what keeps you active physically, carrying messages to & fro from your brain to body to enable you walk, run, stand, sit, grasp, eat & procreate, to name a few activities that we take for granted.
• A Spinal Cord Injury can happen to anyone, at any time through road accidents, fall from heights, sports accidents and ‘loadfalls’ on back, leaving you paralysed for life.
• There is no cure for Spinal Cord Injury anywhere in the world. The only cure available now and the best always is prevention.
• If there is a Spinal Cord Injury, do not believe if anyone tells you it is possible to fix it. Do not be misled and suffer more damage, and also waste money that could help you live well.
• Please make sure your family, including children, and friends know about the importance of the Spinal Cord and what causes a Spinal Cord Injury.
• Drive safely. Do not drive under the influence of alcohol. Wear a helmet (riding or pillion). Wear a seat belt. Insist on a seat belt for children. Deal with fevers and tumours immediately. Go to a quality doctor for treatment and surgery.
• In any suspected injury to neck or back at any accident site, insist on collar & spine board or other support immediately.
• Do not make the person involved in an accident sit up till a doctor permits it. Make sure the person is carried in a flat supine position to a hospital.
• Do not give anything to the injured person to drink or sprinkle water on the face. You may delay much needed surgery and cause more damage, even death.
• With quality rehabilitation, a person with Spinal Cord Injury can lead a vibrant and independent life. Work towards quality rehabilitation in case of a Spinal Cord Injury. It is worth it.
