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Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is an organisation that provides support for people with spinal cord injuries, including paraplegia. Spinal cord injuries can have a significant impact on a person's life, affecting their independence, intimate relationships, friendships, social networks, recreation, and work activities. People with paraplegia may experience partial or complete paralysis of the lower portion of their body, including the legs and, in some cases, part or all of the trunk. Spinal Cord Injuries Australia aims to help individuals with paraplegia by providing financial support, peer support programs, lifestyle education, and employment opportunities. They also work on injury prevention programs to reduce the incidence of spinal cord injuries in the first place. The organisation recognises that people with paraplegia can lead productive lives and focuses on helping them regain their independence and adapt to their new circumstances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the organisation | Spinal Cord Injuries Australia |
| Helpline number | 1800 819 775 |
| Who is it for? | People with disabilities and their carers outside Sydney |
| Services offered | Injury prevention programs, financial support, peer support programs, lifestyle education, employment opportunities |
| Membership | Flexible private membership packages for individuals and families |
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What You'll Learn
Financial support and protection
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia provides financial support and protection to people with paraplegia in several ways. Firstly, they offer financial assistance to individuals who have sustained a total permanent traumatic spinal cord injury, helping to reduce the financial burden associated with these life-changing injuries. This includes providing financial aid during the early care stage, which is crucial for individuals' long-term recovery and adjustment.
Additionally, they offer private membership packages that provide financial protection in the event of a permanent spinal cord injury. These packages are designed to cater to individuals, families, corporates, and community clubs, ensuring that financial support is accessible to those who need it.
The organisation also helps individuals with paraplegia secure employment opportunities. This not only empowers them financially but also promotes their independence and sense of purpose. Spinal Cord Injuries Australia recognises that spinal cord injuries can result in significant financial costs, not just for the individual but also for their families and society as a whole. By providing financial support, they aim to alleviate some of these long-term economic burdens.
Furthermore, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia works proactively to prevent spinal cord injuries through awareness campaigns and safety programs. By reducing the incidence of spinal cord injuries, they are helping to protect individuals from the financial and emotional costs associated with these injuries. This preventative approach is an important aspect of their overall strategy to support and protect Australians living with or at risk of paraplegia.
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia's comprehensive approach to financial support and protection plays a crucial role in helping individuals with paraplegia rebuild their lives, regain their independence, and secure their financial future. Their efforts extend beyond immediate financial assistance to include long-term solutions that empower individuals to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
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Lifestyle education and employment opportunities
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia provides lifestyle education and employment opportunities for people with paraplegia, helping them to lead productive and fulfilling lives. The organisation recognises that a spinal cord injury can significantly impact a person's life, including their independence, intimate relationships, friendships, social networks, recreation, and work activities.
Lifestyle education is a crucial aspect of helping people with paraplegia adjust to their new reality. Spinal Cord Injuries Australia empowers individuals to understand that life can indeed go on after a spinal cord injury. This involves educating them about the various degrees of injury and function loss, which are not always directly correlated with the level of injury on the spine. For instance, individuals with paraplegia, or damage below the neck, usually retain arm movement but may need specialised equipment to drive, work, or write. They can typically live independently with minimal assistance, provided they have access to a wheelchair and necessary home modifications.
The organisation also addresses the emotional and psychological aspects of living with paraplegia, acknowledging that spinal cord injuries can affect bladder and bowel control, sexual performance, blood pressure, and even the ability to breathe unaided. They provide peer support programs to foster a sense of community and connection, helping individuals realise they are not alone in their challenges.
In terms of employment opportunities, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia assists people with paraplegia in finding meaningful work that accommodates their needs. They advocate for equal opportunities and raise awareness among employers about the capabilities of individuals with spinal cord injuries. The organisation also provides financial support and protection, recognising the significant financial burden associated with spinal cord injuries, which can amount to millions of dollars in lifetime costs.
Through these comprehensive lifestyle education and employment initiatives, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia empowers individuals with paraplegia to rebuild their lives, regain their independence, and pursue fulfilling careers. Their work is instrumental in helping people with paraplegia to thrive and redefine their life stories.
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Peer support programs
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia provides peer support programs, lifestyle education, and employment opportunities to help people with paraplegia. The goal is to demonstrate that life can continue after a spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries can result from accidents, such as traffic collisions, falls, diving incidents, or sports accidents, and they can have a significant impact on various aspects of life, including intimate relationships, friendships, recreation, and work.
Through regular interactions and shared experiences, individuals with paraplegia can gain valuable insights into adapting to their new circumstances. They can learn about the types of specialised equipment available and how they can enable greater independence in daily tasks such as driving, writing, and working. Peer support programs also address the emotional challenges that come with adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury, helping individuals build resilience and a positive outlook.
The programs foster a sense of community, reducing feelings of isolation and promoting social inclusion. They provide a platform for individuals with paraplegia to connect, share their stories, and offer mutual encouragement. This sense of belonging can be instrumental in the healing process, empowering individuals to take control of their lives and discover new possibilities.
Additionally, peer support programs often serve as a conduit for disseminating practical information. This includes guidance on lifestyle modifications, such as adapting homes, bathrooms, and vehicles to accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices. By sharing their experiences and knowledge, peers can offer valuable insights on navigating the physical and logistical challenges that come with paraplegia.
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Injury prevention programs
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia offers a range of injury prevention programs to help people with paraplegia. These programs aim to reduce the impact of spinal cord injuries and empower individuals to make informed choices to prevent injuries.
One of the key focuses of these programs is safety education. This includes raising awareness about the various causes of spinal cord injuries, such as traffic accidents, falls, diving incidents, and sports-related accidents. By educating individuals about the risks and providing safety guidelines, the goal is to reduce the number of spinal cord injuries.
Additionally, these programs offer financial protection in the event of a permanent spinal cord injury. They provide financial assistance to help with the long-term costs associated with paraplegia, such as specialized equipment, home modifications, and ongoing care.
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia also collaborates with other organizations, such as the Paraplegic Benefit Fund Australia (PBF Australia), to deliver injury prevention initiatives. PBF Australia offers membership packages that provide access to financial protection and support services. They also work with individuals to rebuild their lives after an injury, offering employment opportunities and lifestyle education to promote independence and a positive outlook.
Through comprehensive injury prevention programs, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia strives to minimize the occurrence of spinal cord injuries, mitigate their impact, and empower individuals with paraplegia to lead fulfilling and independent lives.
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Access to specialised equipment and adaptations
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia provides support to people with paraplegia by offering access to specialised equipment and adaptations. Paraplegia, the partial or complete paralysis of the lower portion of the body, including the legs and, in many cases, some or all of the trunk, can be caused by damage to the lower back or neck. This can result in a loss of function in the hips and legs, as well as a loss of sensation and movement.
Specialised equipment and adaptations can help people with paraplegia to regain their independence and perform daily tasks. For example, people with injuries in the lower back or neck may be able to drive, work, and write with the help of specialised technology. Additionally, with the necessary alterations to their homes, bathrooms, and cars, they can live relatively independently.
One organisation, the Paraplegic Benefit Fund Australia (PBF Australia), offers financial protection and support in the event of a permanent spinal cord injury. They provide injury prevention programs and financial support for members with paraplegia, as well as peer support programs, lifestyle education, and employment opportunities. PBF Australia works to empower individuals to make informed choices and reduce the impact of spinal cord injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia aims to help people with paraplegia access the necessary equipment and adaptations, ensuring they can lead productive and fulfilling lives. By providing information, resources, and support, they empower individuals with paraplegia to overcome challenges and regain their independence.
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Frequently asked questions
Paraplegia is the partial or complete paralysis of the lower portion of the body, including the legs and, in many cases, some or all of the trunk. It is a back injury.
People with paraplegia may experience a loss of independence and control, as well as a lack of bladder and bowel control, sexual performance, blood pressure control, and sometimes the ability to breathe unaided. They may also face challenges with intimate relationships, friendships, social networks, recreation, and work activities.
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia provides a range of services to support people with paraplegia, including:
- Financial assistance
- Employment opportunities
- Peer support programs
- Lifestyle education
- Advocacy and funding for spinal cord injury research
The emotional and financial costs of living with paraplegia can be significant. The lifetime cost per incidence of paraplegia is estimated to be around $5 million, with individuals bearing approximately 40% of these costs. The impact on the individual, their families, and the community is lifelong.
In Australia, around one person sustains a spinal cord injury every day, and there are currently approximately 15,000-20,800 people living with spinal cord injuries, with an annual cost to society of $2-3.7 billion.
