Alliance rebuilds lives by empowering and supporting people following a spinal cord injury
Every year in Australia around 500 people sustain a spinal cord injury – a disability for which there is no cure.
This means at least one person every day somewhere in our country will sustain this permanent injury. Currently there are more than 9,000 Australians living with either quadriplegia or paraplegia sustained through trauma or disease.
To highlight 2011 Spinal Injuries Awareness Week (6-12 November), Australia’s seven state-based spinal cord injury organisations have formed the Alliance of State Spinal Injury Organisations.
Each organisation – AQA Victoria, Paraquad NSW, PARAQUAD SA, Paraquad Tasmania, Paraquad WA, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and the Spinal Injuries Association – support and empower their members and clients in their respective states to live as independently as possible following a spinal cord injury.
Spinal Injuries Association Chief Executive Officer Bruce Milligan said the Alliance was formed to raise awareness about spinal cord injuries and to promote the capability of people who use wheelchairs as valued members of our community.
“The Alliance has created a powerful campaign with the theme Rebuilding Lives, which is a priority for each of our organisations,” Bruce said.
“Sustaining a spinal cord injury is traumatic and not just for the person with the injury. Their family, friends and colleagues are also devastated. It’s a life-altering, irreparable injury.
“However, people with spinal cord injuries can and do lead enjoyable, productive lives – just a bit differently than before.”
Bruce said the Rebuilding Lives theme would be carried through a nationwide television Community Service Announcement (CSA) that would be broadcasted during Spinal Injuries Awareness Week, as well as the launch of the Alliance’s website www.rebuildinglives.com.au, on the eve of the Week.
“The CSA will encourage viewers to learn more about spinal cord injuries and also the organisations that support people who sustain this type of injury,” he said.
“It will also direct viewers to the Rebuilding Lives website, which has valuable information about spinal cord injuries for people with this injury and also for those who want to learn more about the specifics behind the injury.
“The site will also outline the great events happening in each state during Spinal Injuries Awareness Week – between the Alliance there will be a Gala Dinner, a Masquerade Ball, an Amazing Race-style event, a State Reception for inclusive community champions, a road safety awareness car cruise, information displays and more.
“And given road trauma is the number one cause of spinal cord injuries in Australia and accounts for around 40% of all injuries sustained, road safety is a priority for the Alliance and will be a prominent feature on the site, with five Safe Driving Agreements available for people to download and declare their commitment to road safety.”
These agreements are the: Parent-Young Person Safe Driving Agreement; “Road Rangers” School-Parent-Child Road Safety Agreement; School-Parent-Child Road Safety Agreement; Peer Group Young Person Safe Driving Agreement ; and New Baby-Family Safe Driving Agreement.
As the peak body for people with spinal cord injuries, post polio, and Transverse Myelitis, the Spinal Injuries Association has supported and empowered Queenslanders since 1960. For more information, please visit www.spinal.com.au.
The Spinal Cord Injury Alliance:
