Skip links and keyboard navigation

Spinal injuries

On average, a person sustains a spinal cord injury every 4 days in Queensland.

Spinal cord injury is permanent, but it doesn't stop people from leading full and enjoyable lives. You can find out about:

Queenslanders living with spinal cord injury also tell how having a disability doesn't hold them back. Stories are shared by:

  • Jarrod Moncur, a member of Australia's handcycling team
  • Alan Ashford, who has raced in Gold Coast Marathons
  • father of 3 Ian Chill, who has bungy jumped using his wheelchair

and you can meet other members of Queensland's Spinal Injuries Association.

What is a spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord injury occurs if pressure is applied to the spinal cord, and/or if blood and oxygen supply is cut off to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can be caused by disorders, such as Transverse Myelitis; and by trauma, such as damage resulting from road accidents, water and sports accidents, and falls.

Spinal cord injury is permanent. In addition to causing the loss of the ability to walk, it affects many areas of a person's body—such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, bladder and bowel function, temperature and sensory abilities.

Young people are more likely to experience a spinal cord injury, with 42% of people who sustain an injury being between 15 and 30.

Queenslanders who experienced polio in their youth can also experience a return of symptoms later in life. Symptoms of post polio syndrome include a decline in being able to perform basic daily activities, weakness and muscle atrophy.

The Spinal Injuries Association is the peak body for people with spinal cord injuries, post polio syndrome and Transverse Myelitis in Queensland, and has more information about the spine and spinal injuries.

What support is available for Queenslanders with a spinal cord injury?

The Spinal Injuries Association offers a range of services and programs to support Queenslanders living with spinal cord injury, Transverse Myelitis or post polio syndrome and their families.

Personal assistance is available, as is information and advice about topics such as health and lifestyle, support and equipment options, employment opportunities, government services and disability and equity issues.

The Spinal Injuries Association has offices in Brisbane and Townsville. To contact the Brisbane office, call (07) 3391 2044 or email enquiries@spinal.com.au. To contact the Townsville office, call (07) 4755 1755 or email nqenquiries@spinal.com.au.

Volunteer of the year

Scott Stidston was named Volunteer of the Year 2011

Scott Stidston has been named Volunteer of the Year, by the Fundraising Institute of Australia, for his outstanding contribution to the Spinal Injuries Association. Based in Ayr, Scott has spent many waking hours during the past 18 years fundraising, advocating and awareness raising on behalf of people with spinal injury and disability.

Scott became a quadriplegic following a motorcycle accident and is passionate about sharing his story with children in North Queensland. As a member of the Spinal Education Awareness Team, Scott visits school children to promote safety and prevent injury. Find out more about Scott and his volunteering on the Spinal Injuries Association's website.

Licence
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0)
Last updated:
16 January 2013

Page feedback

Your privacy

Information collected through this form is used to improve this website.

Any information you submit that could identify you (e.g. name, email address) will be stored securely, and destroyed after we process your feedback.

  1. This page was

  2. We want this information to be the best it can be and we know we can’t do it without you. Let us know what you thought of this page and what other information you would like to see.

    We do not reply to feedback. Contact us if you need a response.

  4. Contact (optional)