Florida Senate - 2016                             (NP)    SR 678
       
       
        
       By Senator Hukill
       
       
       
       
       
       8-00150D-16                                            2016678__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing September 2016 as “Spinal
    3         Cord Injury Awareness Month” 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, some 276,000 individuals in the United States are
   16  living with a spinal cord injury, and
   17         WHEREAS, it is estimated that the number of new cases
   18  involving spinal cord injury in the United States is about
   19  12,500 each year, not including injuries to those who die at the
   20  scene of an accident, and
   21         WHEREAS, the average age for spinal cord injuries is 42
   22  years, with more than half of all injuries occurring between the
   23  ages of 16 and 30, and
   24         WHEREAS, 82 percent of all spinal cord injuries occur in
   25  men, placing men at much greater risk for spinal cord injury,
   26  and
   27         WHEREAS, the four leading causes of spinal cord injury for
   28  both men and women are auto accidents, falls, acts of violence,
   29  and sports-related activities, and
   30         WHEREAS, the average annual cost of care for individuals
   31  who have a spinal cord injury ranges from approximately $350,000
   32  to $1.06 million the first year after injury, with an estimated
   33  lifetime cost of between approximately $1.1 million and $4.7
   34  million, depending on the severity of injury and the age of the
   35  individual at the time of injury, and
   36         WHEREAS, over the past two decades, scientists have made
   37  major breakthroughs in understanding how to stimulate the
   38  regeneration of damaged neurons, restore normal function, and
   39  improve the quality of life for patients with spinal cord
   40  injuries in areas such as infertility and pain management, and
   41         WHEREAS, scores of national, regional, and local
   42  organizations and researchers, doctors, volunteers, and others
   43  across this state are dedicated to improving the quality of life
   44  of people living with spinal cord injuries and their families,
   45  NOW, THEREFORE,
   46  
   47  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   48  
   49         That September 2016 is recognized as “Spinal Cord Injury
   50  Awareness Month” in Florida.