Better quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries
A spinal cord injury changes lives in an instant – for the person affected and for their loved ones. With your community coins from SWICA Benevita, you can help the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation to provide holistic support for people with spinal cord injuries: from primary care at the scene of an accident to rehabilitation and lifelong support in their everyday lives.
Living with spinal cord injuries in Switzerland
Every other day in Switzerland, a person suffers a spinal cord injury as a result of an accident. This affects far more than mobility. It has an impact on every area of life, including housing, work, health, family and social participation. Many challenges only become apparent once acute treatment and rehabilitation are over.
People with spinal cord injuries therefore need long-term support and care. What matters most is having a reliable network that provides security and fosters independence – regardless of where you live and throughout all phases of life. This is where the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation comes in.
What your community coins are doing
With your community coins, you enable specific support in areas not covered by health or social insurance. The Swiss Paraplegic Foundation uses the funds in a targeted manner to fill gaps in care and further develop innovative services. This includes:
- Comprehensive rehabilitation, which paves the way back to family, work and society. This benefits everyone – those affected as well as the wider community.
- Lifelong support by means of medical advice enabling people with spinal cord injuries to lead independent lives. The focus is on each individual’s living situation, fostering independence, and strengthening personal resources.
Social and occupational integration: More than 60% of spinal cord injury sufferers can return to their studies or job through a variety of offers and targeted measures. This makes Switzerland a global leader.
Exchange of knowledge and networking: Digital platforms and communities enable people with spinal cord injuries and their families to exchange experience and knowledge – regardless of where they live.
This is the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation
Founded in 1975 by the doctor and politician Guido A. Zäch, the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation is now one of the largest charitable organisations in Switzerland. With its two million members, the Benefactors’ Association is well established among the Swiss population. It offers a globally unique network of services for the comprehensive rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries. The vision of the organisation is to enable those affected to live an independent life with the best possible health.
Interesting facts about spinal cord injuries
A spinal cord injury means much more than being confined to a wheelchair.
Spinal cord injuries don't just affect the mobility of arms and legs. They can also affect breathing, circulation, digestion, sexual function and bladder and bowel function, and limit the ability to feel heat and cold.
The three most common causes of accidents
Our everyday life is full of situations in which even a little carelessness can lead to an accident. Fortunately, this rarely has serious consequences. Nevertheless, one person in Switzerland ends up with a spinal cord injury every other day.
Here are the three most common causes of accidents that can lead to spinal cord injuries:
Falls, for example in the home, on stairs or off ladders.
Traffic accidents, for example car or bicycle accidents.
- Sports accidents, such as when jumping into water or hiking.
Rehabilitation doesn't end after coming home from hospital.
Initial rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury usually takes several months. The duration depends heavily on the type and severity of the injury as well as on individual factors. Even after acute rehabilitation, people with spinal cord injuries need lifelong medical aftercare, counselling and support in their everyday lives.
Even people who can walk can have a spinal cord injury.
Depending on the severity of the injury, different organs, muscles and sensations are affected by paralysis. The effects depend on where and to what extent the spinal cord is damaged. Even among people with similar diagnoses, abilities, limitations and support needs can vary considerably.
SWICA and the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation – working together for autonomy
Through Benevita, SWICA supports organisations that have a lasting impact. Our collaboration with the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation focuses on areas where long-term support is crucial. Your community coins help to give people with spinal cord injuries security, opportunities and quality of life – both now and in the future.
Together we can achieve more – enabling people with spinal cord injuries to lead independent lives.
