MAY 2009 PROCLAIMED SPINAL CORD INJURY AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH

Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer today proclaimed May 2009 as Spinal Cord Injury and Physical Disabilities Awareness Month in Saskatchewan.

"The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to join with the Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA) to help raise awareness about spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities," Harpauer said. "We hope this important proclamation will assist the CPA in its mission to help persons with physical disabilities achieve independence, self-reliance and full community participation."

"We are extremely pleased that the Province of Saskatchewan has proclaimed May to be Spinal Cord Injury and Physical Disabilities Awareness Month," Canadian Paraplegic Association (Saskatchewan) President Del Huber said. "This is an important opportunity to recognize the significant accomplishments that people with spinal cord injuries and physical disabilities have achieved in this province, as well as the challenges they face in everyday situations. We will continue to work with the provincial government and other community stakeholders to enrich the lives of people with disabilities."

According to the CPA, about 900 Canadians sustain a spinal cord injury each year. More than 40 per cent of those injuries are caused by motor vehicle collisions. Other common causes of spinal cord injuries in Canada are diving and other sports-related injuries and falls.

For more information about spinal cord injuries or the Canadian Paraplegic Association, please visit the CPA website at www.canparaplegic.org.

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For more information, contact:

Brian Miller
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0531
Email: brian.miller3@gov.sk.ca