Spinal Cord Injuries

    ORLANDO, FL, October 02, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- One minute he was riding his horse and enjoying his life. The next minute he was a quadriplegic. He was Superman, on screen and off. He was a husband, father and a very determined advocate for spinal cord injury research. Christopher Reeve became the victim of a spinal cord injury at the age of 43 when he was thrown from the horse he was riding.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
The majority of spinal cord injuries result in a permanent disability or paralysis and loss of feeling below the injury location. There are two specific types of paralysis:

• Quadriplegia: paralysis that affects most of the body including arms, legs and torso
• Paraplegia: paralysis that affects only the lower body

While there isn't a cure at present, the efforts and financial resources being put forth by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, along with many other excellent organizations, scientists are optimistic that repair to injured spinal cords is an achievable goal. Currently, there are treatments and rehabilitation available that are allowing spinal cord injury victims an opportunity to lead productive and independent lives.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
But there are so many other ways of sustaining a spinal cord injury than just falling off a horse and you should be aware of them. The most common causes of spinal cord injuries include:

• Car and motorcycle accidents: these account for almost 50% of all spinal cord injuries in the U.S. each year
• Acts of violence: this can include a violent beating, gunshot wounds or being stabbed and account for approximately 15% of new spinal cord injuries each year
• Falls: while falls account for roughly 20% of all new spinal cord injuries each year, for the age group of 65 and older, a fall is the most common cause for a spinal cord injury
• Sports and recreation accidents: this category, which makes up about 8% of all new spinal cord injuries annually, includes high impact sports like football and hockey, as well as diving in shallow water
• Disease: the spinal cord is just as susceptible as the rest of the body to cancer, infection, inflammation - all of which can cause permanent damage

Sustaining a spinal cord injury from any of these causes will likely result in you being in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. That doesn't mean, though, that your life is over. As Mr. Reeve discovered, it meant learning to do things a little differently. On one hand, you may need to rely on a nurse or family member to help you bath and dress every day. On the other hand, you may discover that you have a hidden talent, such as writing, that a voice-activated computer can assist in. You may find you can paint by holding the paint brush in your mouth. You may discover your heart is in mentoring other spinal cord injury victims. The opportunities are practically endless.

Opportunity Costs
Those opportunities, along with everything else in your life, will now be more expensive. You need to be sure you retain the best legal advice available to help ensure you have the appropriate financial resources going forward. Medical bills, loss of income and long-term care are just a few of the more costly considerations.

If you or a loved one has suffered or died from a spinal cord injury in the Orlando, Florida area, please visit the website of The Florida Firm for additional information.

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