Florida Senate - 2012                            (NP)    SR 2124
       
       
       
       By Senator Rich
       
       
       
       
       34-02515-12                                           20122124__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing November 12-18, 2012, 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 loss of muscle
   14  control, and
   15         WHEREAS, currently there are approximately 262,000
   16  individuals in the United States who have sustained a spinal
   17  cord injury, and
   18         WHEREAS, it is estimated that the annual incidence of
   19  spinal cord injury in the United States, not including those who
   20  die at the scene of an accident, is approximately 12,000 new
   21  cases each year, and
   22         WHEREAS, the most common age for spinal cord injuries is 19
   23  years old, with 25 percent of all injuries occurring between the
   24  ages of 17 and 23, and 51 percent of all injuries occurring
   25  between the ages of 16 and 30, and
   26         WHEREAS, more than 80 percent of spinal cord injuries occur
   27  in men and 20 percent occur in women, and
   28         WHEREAS, the four leading causes of spinal cord injury for
   29  both men and women are auto accidents, falls, acts of violence,
   30  and recreational sporting activities, and
   31         WHEREAS, the average annual cost of care for individuals
   32  who have a spinal cord injury ranges from $245,000 to $830,000
   33  the first year after injury, with an estimated lifetime cost
   34  ranging between $529,000 and $3.3 million depending on the
   35  severity of injury, and
   36         WHEREAS, over the past two decades, scientists have made
   37  major breakthroughs in understanding how to encourage damaged
   38  neurons to regenerate and restore function and how to improve
   39  the quality of life for patients in areas such as infertility
   40  and pain management, and
   41         WHEREAS, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation has worked to help
   42  fund research aimed at finding a cure for paralysis, as well as
   43  improving the overall quality of life for individuals with
   44  paralysis, and
   45         WHEREAS, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation will spend the week
   46  of November 12-18, 2012, working with local governments and
   47  schools to educate Floridians about the causes of and treatments
   48  for spinal cord injuries, as well as informing the public on how
   49  to prevent these injuries from taking place, NOW, THEREFORE,
   50  
   51  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   52  
   53         That November 12-18, 2012, is recognized as “Spinal Cord
   54  Injury Awareness Week” in the State of Florida.