Albany, NY – A new law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul aims to increase financing for the investigation of spinal cord injuries, a measure that has been welcome by those affected by such injuries.
Kevin Tomlinson, a survivor of spinal cord injury, vividly remembers the moment when his life changed forever. “I remember diving and listening to a pop and realizing that I couldn’t really move,” he said. “The last thing I really remember after realizing that I couldn’t lift my head through the air was that I hope they find me.”
Tomlinson was injured after immersing himself in the shallow waters of the Great Lake Sacandaga, breaking his neck and hurting his spinal cord. Said,
I had little or no movement under my neck. I knew I was on a fan. I could not breathe on my own for about a month.
Stories such as the inspired assemblyman of Tomlinson Amy Paulin to advocate for an increase in financing for the investigation of spinal cord injuries. New York established the media spinal injury program (SCIRP) in 1998, financed by a surcharge for traffic violations in motion. However, a legal limit of $ 8.5 million had limited funds available for research.
“There was a legal limit in the amount of money that could be assigned for the investigation, foundation or fund of the spinal cord,” Paulin said. The new legislation, signed last month, eliminates this limit, allowing more money to be addressed to the investigation.
“What we have done is allow more money to be assigned to help you,” Paulin said. Additional financing aims to “develop priests for spinal cord injury, but also modalities to help improve the function and details with the advance in the management of the bladder and the intestine, in the team, only to help people with injuries of the spinal cord to live a longer and more healthy life,” said Dr. Rachel Santiago de Dr. Rachel Santiago.
Tomlinson expressed his hope that the increase in financing will lead to better results for those who undergo rehabilitation. “Additional financing is, I think, talk with volume, you know, really help people live better,” he said.
The SCIRP financing was initially established through the defense of Christopher Reeve and the sergeant of the State Police Paul Richter, who suffered serious injuries of the spinal cord that resulted in paralysis.
