Think a spinal cord injury means game over? Think again!

Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week, 5 – 11 September 2016

Most people wouldn’t know what a spinal cord injury is and how it affects someone unless they happened to know one of the 15,000 Australians living with the injury.

Many people simply see someone using a wheelchair and assume that having paraplegia or quadriplegia means ‘game over’ in terms of living a fulfilling life.

World Spinal Cord Injury Day (Monday 5 September) and Australia’s own Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week (5-11 September 2016) are aimed at showing the community that this could not be further from the truth.

The inaugural global day is an initiative of the International Spinal Cord Society, while the national awareness week is led by the Australian Spinal Injury Alliance – a collective of the country’s eight largest spinal cord injury support organisations.

Greg Perry, Chief Executive Officer of ParaQuad Association of Tasmania Inc. which is part of the Alliance, said the week asked all Australians to ‘think again’ about what it means to have a spinal cord injury.

“We are highlighting that while a spinal cord injury is a life-long disability, with the right equipment, services, support and a society that is inclusive and accessible, people can overcome barriers to achieve their goals,” he said.

“One person every day sustains a spinal cord injury in Australia and it doesn’t discriminate – it can happen to anyone at any time.

“Simple things like always referring to a person first, not their disability; making sure accessible bathrooms in your business aren’t used as storage areas; and speaking directly to the person using a wheelchair, not to someone who is with them, can all make a big difference in promoting inclusiveness.

“All Australians need to take personal responsibility to ensure our society is inclusive and accessible for everyone.”

Locally, David Wood and Julie Van Keulen, are sharing their story to raise awareness of spinal cord injury and telling the community, “Think I can’t? Think again!’

Julie Van Keulen- “I work as a community engagement officer with ParaQuad Tasmania. I am a Paralympian gold medallist in javelin and held the world record. Life has many great opportunities and experiences to offer no matter the challenge.”
Greg Perry, Chief Executive Officer of ParaQuad Association of Tasmania Inc.