FAQ

A spinal cord injury (SCI) damages the communication pathway between the brain and certain parts of the body. Depending on the extent of the damage and its location in the cord, serious and permanent physical consequences will result in varying degrees of severity. Limbs or organs will not function as they did before. Read more about spinal cord injury.

Paraplegia is the result of a spinal cord lesion located at the level of the thoracic vertebrae or lower down in the lumbar/or sacro-coccygeal regions. Loss of motor function or sensation affects the legs and the lower trunk. Read more about spinal cord injury.

Quadriplegia (or Tetraplegia), is the result of a spinal cord lesion at the level of the neck (cervical vertebrae). A loss of motor function and sensation or of both together, occurs in the legs, arms and trunk, including the thorax (chest). The severity of the loss does vary. Read more about spinal cord injury.

It is estimated that there are 4,529 new cases of spinal cord injury in Canada each year, 1,786 as the result of traumatic injury from external causes such as car crashes and the remaining as a consequence of diseases and other non-traumatic causes. Read more about spinal cord injury.

Almost half of new traumatic injuries occur in people 15 to 39 (most male) as a result of motor vehicle accidents, sporting accidents and other external causes. However in 2010, the average age of injury was 48 years. Read more about spinal cord injury.

It is estimated that 85,556 persons have a spinal cord injury in Canada, 12,000 in British Columbia. Read more about spinal cord injury.

It is estimated that 500 new spinal cord injuries will occur this year in British Columbia. Read more about spinal cord injury.

Aside from the physical and emotional recovery, the main issues for individuals with SCI are financial concerns, lack of appropriate accessible housing and transportation, access to adequate personal care supports, and high unemployment. Read more about spinal cord injury.

Currently there is no cure for spinal cord injury. Although researchers continue to make steady progress toward understanding spinal cord injury and new strategies to overcome it, a cure is likely to be a long way off in the future. Read more about spinal cord injury.