Spinal Cord Injury Resources
About Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a trauma to the spinal cord that causes changes in movement and sensation, and often results in partial or complete paralysis (inability to control movement). In the U.S., approximately 11,000 new spinal cord injuries occur every year, and there are about 250,000 people living with SCI. Most injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents (46.9%), followed by falls (23.7%), acts of violence (13.7%) and sports (8.7%). (Facts & Figures, National SCI Statistical Center, 2006.)
Spinal Cord Injury Organizations
National Spinal Cord Injury Association is the nation's largest civilian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Americans living with the results of spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) and their families.
SCI Information Network, based in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Spinal Cord Injury Model System, offers educational and research information relevant to persons with SCI, their families, and others of interest.
Paralyzed Veterans of America works to maximize the quality of life for veterans and all people with SCI/D, providing information on health care, SCI/D research and education, veterans’ benefits and rights, accessibility and the removal of architectural barriers, sports programs, and disability rights.
Christopher Reeve Paralysis Association is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.
Reeve-Irvine Research Center works to find new treatments for spinal cord injury through the collaborative research and educational efforts of prominent scientists and clinicians both at the University of California, Irvine and around the world.
CareCure Community, located at Rutgers University, offers SCI information and support through a number of clinician-monitored online forums.
The National Council on Independent Living advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities through consumer-driven advocacy.
