Primary Injury Prevention
Most spinal cord injuries are the result of
motor vehicle accidents and violent, intentional
attacks. Other causes include sports and recreation-related
injuries and firearm accidents. Some accidents
are unavoidable. However, there are some things
you can do to reduce your risk. The best way
to prevent many of these injuries is to exercise
diligent care in everything that you do. For
example, use seat belts and don’t take
unnecessary risks such as drinking and driving.
Banner Wheelchair Suns Drive Safe Campaign
This program, which targets junior and senior
high school youth, encourages students to be
smart about injury prevention. The presentation
includes a short game of wheelchair basketball
between the Banner Wheelchair Suns and a team
comprised of volunteer students, followed by
a discussion about the impact the injuries
have had on the lives of Wheelchair Suns players.
Phone: 602-239-5929 or 877-778-6588 (toll-free)
More details
Child Passenger Safety Seats
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of
brain injury in children from birth to age
four. Child passenger safety seats are a primary
intervention strategy designed to prevent or
reduce these injuries. The Council supports
Desert Samaritan Hospital and the Apache County
Health Department in providing child passenger
safety seat technician training around the
state. This program is designed to increase
the number of certified technicians available
to assist parents, caregivers and others in
properly installing and using child passenger
safety seats.
Preventing Subsequent
Conditions
People with spinal cord injury are at risk
for subsequent problems and conditions because
of the paralysis. These conditions include
respiratory and urinary infections, heart and
blood pressure problems, skin breakdown (pressure
sores), weight gain and diabetes. People with
spinal cord injury should pay special attention
to any change in their bodily functions, and
should seek medical assistance immediately.
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details
Wheelchair Skills Clinic
The Banner Wheelchair Suns basketball team
has developed a series of clinics designed
to teach people in wheelchairs how to use their
chairs in a variety of everyday situations.
The program promotes greater confidence and
independence. Topics include transferring,
chair mechanics, managing your environment,
traveling with your chair and other issues.
Phone: 602-239-5929 or 877-778-6588 (toll-free)
More details
Empowerment Course for People with Spinal Cord
Injury
This course, offered in collaboration with
the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association
and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical
Center, addresses health promotion, prevention
of subsequent conditions, and other issues
faced by people with spinal cord injury and
their families. Topics include bowel and bladder
issues, sexuality, mobility, aging and more.
The course targets people with new injuries
as well as those who have been living with
spinal cord injury for several years.
Phone: 602-239-5929
More details
The
Personal Care Assistant Manager: A Resource
Guide
Developed by Arizona State University’s
Office of Disability Resources, this manual
designed to teach people with physical disabilities
how to hire and supervise a personal care assistant.
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