“International Days” are celebrated to mark important aspects of human life and history. On the suggestion of its Prevention Committee, International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) has decided to observe ‘Spinal Cord Injury Day’ on 5th September every year with the intention of increasing awareness amongst the general public. It is presumed that the awareness would facilitate an inclusive life for persons with disability and ensure greater chances of success of prevention programs.
Since its inception on 5th September 2016, the ‘Spinal Cord Injury Day’ has been meeting an increasing success around the world, under different slogans: ‘Yes We Can’ in 2017, ‘Stop Spinal Cord Injury’ in 2018, and ‘Living life to the fullest’ in 2019.
This year, our focus will be on the prevention of Covid-19 for persons with spinal cord injury, with the slogan “Covid-19 and SCI: Staying well”. The Covid-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented time for all, with or without disability. Persons with spinal cord injury are more vulnerable than others, and were left to fear severe complications and poor disease outcome. When confronted with protective measures and a lockdown, the physical, psychological and social needs of those persons in a wheelchair cannot be overstated.
Faced with this unique challenge, there has been a growing awareness of the role of social media to combat loneliness and disseminate appropriate information, involving health care professionals, communities, and more importantly consumers themselves. The way we are going to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath will most certainly pave the way for the future of persons with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities. Let’s hope it is for the best.
Events will be organized around the world, in as many countries as possible: please contact your medical centre or the local authority to know what is organized in your city.
As part of it, the Prevention Comittee of ISCoS is organizing a Poster Competition. All members of ISCoS and its affiliated societies are eligible to participate in it.
For further information, please visit our website: http://www.worldsciday.org/index.html
ISCoS Prevention Committee
Dr Jean Gabriel Prévinaire, Chair
Pr. Belgin Erhan & Dr Yannis Dionyssiotis, SCI Day subcommittee
