Today is all about raising awareness of spinal cord injuries and to help people understand the impact spinal injuries can have.
So, what is a Spinal Cord Injury? Running from the brain down to the pelvis, the spine carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body. Walking, movement, breathing and even the control of the bladder and bowels, are all effected by the messages carried through the spine. Any injury caused to the spine can affect these functions and those with serious spine injuries can be severely affected. Loss of movement and losing control of bodily functions are a result of a serious spinal injury.
What could cause a spinal injury? Trauma on the spine as a result of an accident is the most common cause of a spinal injury, with 90% of recorded spinal injuries being due to traumatic incidents such as a road traffic collision. However, illness and infection can also lead to spinal injuries. Bacterial and Fungal infections in other parts of the body can be carried to the spine through the bloodstream.
There are now effective interventions available to prevent several of the main causes of spinal cord injury. Road improvements, safer vehicles and people’s behaviour on the roads can help to avoid road traffic accidents.
According to the World Health Organisation, many of the consequences associated with spinal cord injury do not result from the condition itself, but from inadequate medical care and rehabilitation services, and from barriers in the physical, social and political environments. This is something that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) needs to look into to help those with spinal injuries.
One thing that we know can be a restriction, is the style of clothes available to those with spinal cord injuries. This is why we dedicate our time and resources into developing our range of clothes that are comfortable, stylish and functional.
We have a range of clothes specifically designed to help those who have a spinal cord injury. Our trousers for wheelchair users have an array of features such as high backs and low fronts, flat seams for extra comfort, shaped for seating and much more. New to our range this year, is the Velcro fastening shirts, designed to be smart and comfortable without the worry of having to fasten buttons.
No one should feel limited with what they can wear because they have a disability.