One thing is certain – we’re all getting older.
And, as we do, our risk of injuring our spinal cord increases!
You hear most often about younger people who have injured their spinal cord. You think of mountain bikes and rugby scrums, horse riding and swimming pools, car accidents and work incidents. Things where the potential for injury is understood.
But young people are not the most at risk – those over 65 are. And the most common cause of a paralysing injury is a simple fall.
More than half of spinal cord injuries happen after retirement. Usually doing everyday things in your own home. James did just that last October. He was tidying up around his house in Ellerslie. His whole family were gathered inside, when he thought he’d just do one more job and give the deck a quick sweep.
He didn’t do anything daring or unusual. It wasn’t wet. He simply slipped. He’s not sure how, but suddenly he was on his back, and he couldn’t get up. That was enough. One little slip and James had broken his neck. His C3/C4 break injured his spinal cord and has left him unable to move from the chest down.
James remains positive, “It is what it is,” he says, “but I’d do anything to regain just a little independence. I’m working on my arm. I’d love to just be able to feed myself. That’d mean a lot. We are making progress, I think. I go home every day after physio, knackered, but I won’t give up.”
Spinal cord injuries don’t just happen more often in older people; treatment also changes. Surgery is less common. Rehabilitation is slower. And other disorders and medications make treatment more complex. Your donation will help find the cure we all need.
None of us thinks an injury like this could happen to us. As you head into older age, and life slows down a little, you naturally think risks like this decrease. Tragically, they don’t.
The cure we’re searching for could be for me or for you. We must move fast! Please help us today.
Make a difference, today.
Thank you.