Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation is a charitable organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in Pennington, New Jersey
.
The charity aims to find a cure for Paralysis.
. Following the accident, Sam Schmidt
took the passion and commitment that made him one of America's top race car drivers and focused it on creating a broader awareness of spinal cord injuries and the research necessary to find treatment and cures.
The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF) was formed later that same year to raise the necessary dollars to increase awareness of spinal cord injury/paralysis
and the impact it has on the patient and family, for medical research to develop cures and effective therapeutic treatments and, most importantly, to provide newly injured patients and their families with the psychological support and resources to help them lead productive lives and to keep the family intact.
Perceptions about the human spinal cord
have undergone a revolution in recent years. What was once considered hopeless is now showing signs of promise. SSPF funded scientists are on the cutting edge of spinal cord research, and advances are being made every day.
rights and quality of life issues.
According to information collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, having a disability of any kind greatly increases a person's odds of living in poverty. Over 50% of people with paralysis and over 62% of people with spinal cord injury live in poverty. Paralysis and spinal cord injuries cost the U.S. health care system billions of dollars each year. Spinal cord injury costs total roughly $40.5 billion annually. There are 50,000 wounded or injured soldiers from the wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan
and many have suffered spinal cord injuries. It is anticipated that these numbers will rise.
Pennington, New Jersey
Pennington is a Borough in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 2,585.Pennington was established as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 31, 1890, from portions of Hopewell Township, based on the results of...
.
The charity aims to find a cure for Paralysis.
History
In January 2000, during a practice run at Walt Disney World Speedway, Sam Schmidt's car collided with the racetrack wall at 160 mph and he sustained a C-3/4/5 spinal cord injurySpinal cord injury
A spinal cord injury refers to any injury to the spinal cord that is caused by trauma instead of disease. Depending on where the spinal cord and nerve roots are damaged, the symptoms can vary widely, from pain to paralysis to incontinence...
. Following the accident, Sam Schmidt
Sam Schmidt
Sam Schmidt is a former Indy Racing League driver and current IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights Series team owner....
took the passion and commitment that made him one of America's top race car drivers and focused it on creating a broader awareness of spinal cord injuries and the research necessary to find treatment and cures.
The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF) was formed later that same year to raise the necessary dollars to increase awareness of spinal cord injury/paralysis
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
and the impact it has on the patient and family, for medical research to develop cures and effective therapeutic treatments and, most importantly, to provide newly injured patients and their families with the psychological support and resources to help them lead productive lives and to keep the family intact.
Research
To cure paralysis and loss of function that spinal cord injuries cause, doctors will need a carefully orchestrated series of interventions. Treatments will begin in the emergency room and continue for months. Ever new forms of rehabilitation will be part of the therapeutic package. To speed the day when this regimen is available, SSPF supports research on a variety of fronts. Individual research grants encourage a multi-disciplinary approach to solving the complex medical problems that result from spinal cord injuries, in both the acute and chronic stages.Perceptions about the human spinal cord
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
have undergone a revolution in recent years. What was once considered hopeless is now showing signs of promise. SSPF funded scientists are on the cutting edge of spinal cord research, and advances are being made every day.
Quality of Life Grants
In an effort to support individuals throughout the world, SSPF funds Quality of Life grants to organizations that directly benefit individuals with disabilities. SSPF recognizes that many people face life-long challenges and require the assistance of programs and organizations in their own communities.Advocacy
Working with other national organizations and visiting congressional leaders in Washington, SSPF works to influence the legislative agenda to meet the needs of people with disabilities. By keeping SSPF constituents informed on legislation, they become self-empowered and speak out to local and state elected officials as well as lawmakers in Washington. This helps educate key influencers about the vast returns that come from national commitment to research, rehabilitation, disabilityDisability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
rights and quality of life issues.
Paralysis and Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures
Paralysis is caused by injury, stroke and disease. According to recent research, of the almost 6 million people living with paralysis in the United States alone, 1.3 million are spinal cord injured. This is about five times the number of people previously assumed, with many millions more throughout the world.According to information collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, having a disability of any kind greatly increases a person's odds of living in poverty. Over 50% of people with paralysis and over 62% of people with spinal cord injury live in poverty. Paralysis and spinal cord injuries cost the U.S. health care system billions of dollars each year. Spinal cord injury costs total roughly $40.5 billion annually. There are 50,000 wounded or injured soldiers from the wars in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and many have suffered spinal cord injuries. It is anticipated that these numbers will rise.