The International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) established 5 September as ‘World Spinal Cord Injury Day’, with the intention of increasing awareness for persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI).

This year’s theme is ‘Covid-19 and SCI: Staying healthy with the help of Telecommunication and Telehealth’.

Cities around the world will host events to commemorate World Spinal Cord Injury Day 2021. The Prevention Committee of ISCoS is running a video competition which all members and affiliated societies are eligible to participate in. Visit the society’s website for more details.

The ISCoS says this: “Unfortunately, Covid-19 is still a major concern, affecting lives of millions of people around the world and posing challenges in providing health care. Telecommunication and Telehealth have emerged as an effective way to facilitate optimal health service delivery while minimizing the hazard of direct person-to-person exposure to Covid-19.

“Additional benefits include reduced travel costs and risks associated with transport related accidents, more equitable access to health services, and closer engagement with local health services and primary care providers. These communication technologies may be used for a range of services, such as preventive, diagnostic, educational, and/or therapeutic interventions.”

Through its medical and multi-disciplinary team of professionals, ISCoS endeavours to foster education, research and clinical excellence. The World Spinal Cord Injury Day website can be found here.

Covid-19 related legal support

We have a number of articles that may help those who have recently sustained a spinal injury navigate the changes to policy and government assistance post-Coronavirus.

• Mind the gap: how Covid-19 measures have highlighted the daily discrimination faced by disabled people
• How to apply for Universal Credit after a serious injury
• How are insurance policies affected by Covid-19?
• Disability initiatives: what support is out there?
• The search continues: the difficulties of securing suitable housing following serious injury or illness

Ride for Danny

#NoLimits is an annual cycling event held to raise funds for spinal cord injury charity the Back Up Trust. The event is held in memory of Danny Turnbull, a former partner at Stewarts and trustee of Back Up, who sadly lost his battle with cancer in April 2017. Danny was instrumental in opening up the annual London to Paris event to hand cyclists in 2012 and undertook the challenge himself that year.

This year’s event will be held on 4-5 September 2021. It will be a virtual event, logging any cycle ride completed over the weekend. There will also be an option to join Back Up at Goodwood Motor Circuit on Sunday, 5 September to complete some miles together in a group.

More information on the event can be found here.

Danny Turnbull’s wife Susie explains in this short video how Ride for Danny got started.

Stewarts recently worked with Back Up to produce a guide to choosing the right solicitor. Daniel Herman, a personal injury partner at Stewarts, provides expert insight on what questions you may want to ask a lawyer before instructing them to pursue your case.

Stewarts’ spinal injury work

Anyone who has suffered a spinal cord injury should seek legal advice as to whether a claim for compensation can be made.

If you or a family member have suffered a spinal injury or you would like a second opinion on an ongoing case, please contact us.

Our Life Beyond Injury series tells the stories of our clients who have overcome challenges and gone on to live a fulfilling life. By sharing these stories, we hope that recently injured people can see that, with the right support, they too can overcome adversity.

Recent instalments in the series include:

• Revisiting the story of one of our clients, Steve Cook, who, after his spinal cord injury has returned to riding a two-wheel road bike. His life beyond injury story continues to inspire others.
• Reviewing a £4.5m settlement for a father left paraplegic after treatment of a spinal condition. He will now be able to employ support workers and purchase equipment and the therapies he will need.
• Summarising a settlement for a teenager rendered paraplegic in a serious car accident, who adapted a new home and has returned to work.

Stewarts Soundbites

Soundbites is a series of 15 minute webcasts brought to you by our specialist lawyers and featuring some special guest speakers.

Some of our recent episodes dealing with spinal injury issues include:

• Warm water therapy in spinal cord injury claims; an expert’s perspective
• Jason Richards: from hero to zero and working his way back up again, 25 years after spinal cord injury
• Twenty one years after spinal cord injury: a conversation with Allan Clayton
• Sex and dating after spinal cord injury, an insider’s perspective

You can find further information regarding our expertise, experience and team on our Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence and International Injury pages.

If you require assistance from our team, please contact us or alternatively request a call back from one of our lawyers by submitting this form.

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