Florida Senate - 2009                             (NP)    SR 996
       
       
       
       By Senator Rich
       
       
       
       
       34-01398-09                                            2009996__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing November 16-22, 2009, as
    3         “Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week” in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, the central nervous system is made up of two
    6  parts, the brain and the spinal cord, and
    7         WHEREAS, the spinal cord is considered the “information
    8  superhighway” of the body because it contains bundles of neurons
    9  that carry signals to and from the brain, controlling many
   10  bodily functions, and
   11         WHEREAS, after a spinal cord injury occurs, damaged neurons
   12  can no longer emit signals to or from the brain, and the injured
   13  person suffers permanent sensory loss and muscle control, and
   14         WHEREAS, currently there are approximately 250,000 to
   15  400,000 individuals in the United States who have sustained a
   16  spinal cord injury, and
   17         WHEREAS, it is estimated that the annual incidence of
   18  spinal cord injury in the United States, not including those who
   19  die at the scene of an accident, is approximately 11,000 new
   20  cases each year, and
   21         WHEREAS, the most common age for spinal cord injuries is 19
   22  years old, with 30 percent of all injuries occurring between the
   23  ages of 17 and 23, and 53 percent of all injuries occurring
   24  between the ages of 16 and 30, and
   25         WHEREAS, more than 80 percent of spinal cord injuries occur
   26  in men and 20 percent occur in women, and
   27         WHEREAS, the four leading causes of spinal cord injury for
   28  both men and women are auto accidents, falls, gunshot wounds,
   29  and recreational sporting activities, and
   30         WHEREAS, the average annual cost of care for individuals
   31  who have a spinal cord injury ranges from $250,000 to $700,000
   32  the first year after injury, with an estimated lifetime cost
   33  ranging between $500,000 and $3 million depending on the
   34  severity of injury, and
   35         WHEREAS, in the past 15 years, scientists have made major
   36  breakthroughs in understanding how to encourage damaged neurons
   37  to regenerate and restore function and how to improve the
   38  quality of life for patients in areas such as infertility and
   39  pain management, and
   40         WHEREAS, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation has worked to help
   41  fund research aimed at finding a cure for paralysis, as well as
   42  improving the overall quality of life for individuals with
   43  paralysis, and
   44         WHEREAS, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation will spend the week
   45  of November 16-22 working with local governments and schools to
   46  educate Floridians about the causes and treatments for spinal
   47  cord injuries, as well as informing the public on how to prevent
   48  these injuries from taking place, NOW, THEREFORE,
   49  
   50  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   51         
   52         That November 16-22, 2009, is recognized as “Spinal Cord
   53  Injury Awareness Week” in the State of Florida.