The theme of this month’s Action—education—coincides with one of our major programmatic endeavors: the annual conference of our three professional associations dedicated to spinal cord injury. Through these conferences we hope to ensure that physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers (and this year, physical and occupational therapists, as well), are upto- date on innovative treatment modalities and provided the opportunity to network. The conferences are, in my view, essential to ensuring that progress in the lab or classroom transfers quickly to health care professionals.
I urge you, too, as a member, to pursue both formal and informal educational opportunities. Education is particularly important as we combat attitudinal and social barriers that make access to employment, health care, and society at large, more difficult. United Spinal strongly encourages members to educate themselves on their civil rights so that they can seek employment, be an active voice, and, ultimately, be more influential in their communities.
Over the years, we have seen many of our members seek higher or alternate degrees post-injury, frequently because they were unable to resume their former occupations. Most of these individuals have gone on to fulfilling careers and exceeded their own expectations. They also serve as role models for younger peers.
United Spinal takes pride in knowing our efforts have helped to make schools, colleges, and universities more user-friendly to our members. We have done the footwork and now it’s up to you to take advantage of the opportunity. Invest in yourself and in your future. If you are considering more education but, once again, find yourself watching September pass you by, I urge you to resolve to start in January. Don’t think about the long road ahead; think about how you will be enriching your life—one course and one semester at a time. Concentrate on the journey instead of the goal.
We at United Spinal are also actively involved in this process by educating employers, providers of public and private services, architects, as well as medical care providers, as mentioned above. Please join us in our educational efforts by becoming more vocal, more active, and more visible.
Paul J. Tobin
Executive Director
