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The South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund was established in 2000 by the State of South Carolina legislature (Bill S54 44-38-510 ) to promote research to develop better understanding of causes and effective treatment strategies for paralysis, sensory loss, and other consequences of spinal cord injury and disease. Laws passed in the State of South Carolina authorize fund use to cover basic operating and administrative costs, but direct that the balance be provided for spinal cord injury research projects.

Federal funding provides for a comprehensive network of assistance and information programs for the physically handicapped and wheelchair bound, to increase access to assistive technology devices and services for individuals with disabilities and their families. Wheelchair funding sources are made available for disabled persons and their families to help with costs associated with manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, invacare wheelchairs, wheelchair supplies, and much more.

In South Carolina alone, how many people does spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) affect, and what is total economic impact of SCI/D? Below are the South Carolina spinal cord injury facts as listed on the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund website:

• Average annual SC incidence rate of TSCI is 67/1,000,000.
• Rate 22% higher than national average of 55/1,000,000
• About 12% of the TSCI injuries have TBI.
• 11% of the TSCI injuries are complete (ASIA=A).
• Another 11% have sensory function only.
• 66% of the TSCI occur at prime of lives (age 20-54).
• 3/4th of injuries occur among males.
• All races are equally affected.
• Highest average acute care charge of $85,256 is incurred by those with complete paralysis (ASIA=A).
• Lowest is $27,248 incurred by those with recoverable TSCI (ASIA=E).
• Overall acute care charge of TSCI (Acute care hospital fee) from 1990-2000 is $ 111,409,136 which indicates an annual acute care charge of $ 10,000,000 is expended for acute hospital care of TSCI only.
• Using the willingness-to-pay method of cost analysis, the total economic impact of TSCI in SC is estimated at $ 25,765,812 per annum in 1997-dollar values.
• 58% of the TSCI are the result of motor vehicle injuries.

As cited on the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund website:

Facts and figures are from the South Carolina Head and Spinal Cord Injury Surveillance System supported by the Head and Spinal Cord Injury Division of the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. For additional information see http://www.state.sc.us/ddsn/

Sportaid is making this information available to you because we care. Sportaid’s history and customer service differentiates them from other medical equipment suppliers. In 1988, Sportaid was the first company of its kind. Sportaid has grown from a supplier of racing tires, wheelchairs, racing suits, and other racing related equipment to a supplier of wheelchair cushions, roho cushions, wheelchair tires, and racing chairs.

With over 1500 items in our online store we satisfy the needs of all our customers.

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