About spinal cord injuries
A spinal cord injury results in dependence upon a wheelchair.
Very few people understand that a spinal cord injury entails much more than just being confined to a wheelchair. People with spinal cord injuries must live with a number of other serious problems. On the one hand, a spinal cord injury involves a loss of mobility, the inability to walk and – at best – restricted use of the arms. On the other, it brings about a loss of bladder and bowel control, as well as sexual and sensory functions.
It has only been during the last 50 years or so that people with spinal cord injuries have been able to undergo rehabilitation in specialised units and centres. The Swiss Paraplegic Foundation and the Swiss Paraplegic Centre, along with other paraplegia centres, have made a huge contribution to the advancement of know-how surrounding spinal cord injuries in Switzerland.
First-hand experience of a spinal cord injury
The ParaForum Visitor Centre is a place of encounters between visitors and people living with a spinal cord injury. This is where you can meet at eye level. Satisfy your thirst for knowledge in the ParaForum and experience the day-to-day life of people with a spinal cord injury.
What does a spinal cord injury entail?
On the following pages, you will find all the key facts on spinal cord injury.
The content of these pages is based on a summary of the WHO report “International Perspectives on Spinal Cord Injury”, to which Swiss Paraplegic Research made a significant contribution.
The WHO report looks at spinal cord injury from an international perspective. It also incorporates several aspects from the service areas of the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation and its subsidiaries.
Topic areas
Understanding spinal cord injuries
Find out more about the topic of spinal cord injuries based on a summary from the WHO “International perspectives on spinal cord injury” report.
Effects and complications of a spinal cord injury
A spinal cord injury has serious effects. Find out more about the effects and complications that people with a spinal cord injury have to battle with in their day-to-day life.
How does spinal cord injury rehabilitation work?
Learn more about rehabilitation.
Why are easily-accessible places important for people with spinal cord injuries?
You can read about the barriers in day-to-day life and how the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation helps people with a spinal cord injury here.
Learn about the importance of integration and education
Find out more about how ParaWork goes about its work and which factors are decisive for successful integration.
The role of good surroundings
For people with spinal cord injuries, the environment plays a crucial role.
