WILLEMSTAD – Fundashon Alton Paas is calling on the government, healthcare providers, employers, schools and the wider community to take stronger action to prevent spinal cord injuries in Curaçao.
The foundation made the appeal in connection with World Spinal Cord Injury Day, observed on September 5. This year marks the tenth edition of the international awareness day, under the theme “From Awareness to Action: 10 Years of Progress in SCI Prevention.”
According to Fundashon Alton Paas, raising awareness about spinal cord injuries is important, but that awareness must increasingly be translated into concrete measures aimed at preventing serious injuries.
A spinal cord injury can have far-reaching consequences for a person's mobility, independence, health, employment and family life. At the same time, the foundation stresses that some spinal cord injuries are preventable.
For Curaçao, the organization identifies road safety and responsible driving as important areas requiring attention. It is also calling for greater emphasis on fall prevention, particularly among older people, safer workplaces, violence prevention and improved safety in and around the sea.
Rapid access to emergency and trauma care is also crucial when a serious accident occurs, the foundation said.
Fundashon Alton Paas has worked for more than a decade to support people with spinal cord injuries and other mobility limitations. Through the AP Center, the organization provides supervised exercise and continued support to people after they have completed a rehabilitation program.
Its Wheelee transportation service is aimed at helping wheelchair users and people with limited mobility maintain access to family, education, training, healthcare and other essential activities.
The foundation emphasized that preventing spinal cord injuries cannot be the responsibility of the healthcare sector alone. Government agencies, schools, employers, transportation and road-safety organizations, community groups, families and people with lived experience all have a role to play.
Fundashon Alton Paas said World Spinal Cord Injury Day should therefore serve not only as a reminder of the consequences of spinal cord injuries, but also of the need for prevention, accessibility, long-term support and equal opportunities for people with mobility limitations to participate fully in society.