What is Paralysis
Paralysis is the loss of the ability to move (and sometimes to feel anything) in part or most of the body. While there are many causes of paralysis, one of the most common causes is when a person experiences a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).
What is the financial burden of Spinal Cord Injury?
Lifetime costs for SCI can total over $2.5 million per victim. In most cases, insurance only covers 50-65% of these costs over a lifetime. 13,000 new SCI victims are added each year. Quick math will show a huge financial burden for most SCI victims that far exceeds a return to an active lifestyle.
The Perfect Step uses exercised-based therapy, which is not currently covered by Insurance companies. The average annual cost for recovery therapy at The Perfect Step is between $25K to $45K a year per victim – and you can help make recovery possible by joining Team Be Perfect!
How many people have a Spinal Cord Injury? Who are they?
Approximately 260,000 people live with a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in the US. There are about 13,000 new SCI’s every year.
The majority of them (81%) are males between the ages of 16-30. These injuries result from motor vehicle accidents (42%), falls (27%) violence (15%), or sports accidents (8%).
Do people with SCI ever get better?
When a SCI occurs, there is usually swelling of the spinal cord. This may cause changes in virtually every system in the body. After days or weeks, the swelling begins to go down and people may regain some functioning. With many injuries, especially incomplete injuries, the individual may recover some functioning as late as 18 months after the injury. In very rare cases, people with SCI will regain some functioning years after the injury. Only a very small fraction of individuals sustaining SCIs recover all functioning.
The approach BP supports to getting better is comprehensive. While it includes regaining lost functions, it goes much further. We help people develop their health relationally, mentally, and physically. Many people we support talk about how much they get out of the relationships they have formed during therapy and the restored hope they have after a good workout.
What can I do to help?
If you’re interested in helping men and women in our community struggling with paralysis, you can join Team Be Perfect. This is a community dedicated to helping people living with paralysis get back in the game of life. Give back to our community in a meaningful way as you help the dads, moms, and friends in our community in recovery.