The Live Wire

Spinal cord injury

For the first time in history, people paralysed by spinal cord injury can believe in a better future.

The spinal cord is a soft, rope-like structure about 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter that contains over one million neurons (specialised cells that transmit nerve impulses quickly and efficiently from one area of the body to another). It is normally protected by bony vertebrae, which make up the spine (backbone).

The spinal cord, part of the Central Nervous System (CNS), enables communication between the brain and the rest of the body. When injured, the nerves in the CNS do not repair themselves.

bodySpinal cord injury (SCI) is more than just paralysis. Severing contact between the brain and other organs has further distressing consequences, such as loss of bladder and bowel control, loss of sexual function, and loss of the ability to control body temperature and blood pressure.

Some 40,000 people in the UK suffer paralysis resulting from injury to their spinal cord. This devastating injury will affect around 1,000 more people each year. Globally the total figure is around 2.5million.

Injury often results from a road or sporting accident, or fall, and the majority of injuries occur amongst active 18-35 year olds although we are seeing a rise in the older age groups affected. The psychological impact of spending the rest of one’s life in a wheelchair and reliant on others can have an overwhelming, sudden and devastating effect on the paralysed person and their family.

We have estimated the costs to the taxpayer of at least £1 billion per annum. The human cost is incalculable.

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