Scores rally for awareness about spinal cord injuries

NEW DELHI: Nearly 900 people, including 150 wheelchair users, participated in a rally at Rajpath to create awareness about spinal cord injury. Some 35 bikers also took part in the event, which focused on inclusiveness.
The rally was organised by the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, in association with International Spinal Cord Society, to mark the first Spinal Cord Injury Day.It was flagged off by Union minister of science and technology Harsh Vardhan.
Dr Harvinder Chhabra, chief of spine services, ISIC, said: “Over the years, treating and helping rehabilitated men, women and even children who have had spinal injuries has given us an intrinsic understanding of the different aspects related to such issues. These are not just medical related, but also about the mental, social, sexual and vocational consequences for the injured.”
Vardhan said as spinal injuries bound one to a life on wheelchair, the patients needed support at all times. “Technology has been advanced to such extent that we now have wheelchairs that can aid and assist a differently abled person with ease,” he said.
Said Mamata Vijayakar, a participant, “I have been bound to the wheelchair since 1993, but it is not a hindrance for me. The courage and determination of a person decides what will stop him or her,”
Reiterating the importance of wearing a seatbelt while driving, Dr Chhabra hoped that creating awareness through drives, spinal cord injuries could be prevented.