EN 
HI About The Spinal Foundation
The Spinal Foundation is an India Self-Help Group for persons with spinal cord injury. We have recorded instances of spinal cord injury (SCI) for more than 60 years now. Several small groups / individuals have been working to support persons with SCI in different parts of India. There has, however, been no concerted effort to push for improved quality of life for persons with SCI at a national level. As an umbrella organization, The Spinal Foundation seeks to combine efforts, be more effective, improve reach, have unified voice for advocacy, share best-practices and address the daunting challenges faced by persons with SCI, especially those who are also economically challenged, and living in rural areas.
Spinal Cord Injury Day
We are about to observe the 7th World Spinal Cord Injury Day on 5th September 2022.
COVID 19 Advisory
Persons with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) who acquire COVID-19 infection are at a higher risk of adverse outcomes when compared to those without SCI. It is vital to follow all measures of precaution as possible to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection and related complications. Along with social distancing and wearing appropriate face masks, vaccines are a key component of such preventive measures.
Afew different types of vaccines around the world have been found to be effective in reducing the risk of infections, with rare adverse events. On a balance, benefits of vaccines easily outweigh the risks, especially in geographical regions with ongoing high rates of infection. To date, there are no established concerns of vaccine-related additional risk to persons with SCI. We would recommend all persons with SCI to get their COVID vaccines as per their regional government guidance for general population.
Burns, S.P., Eberhart, A.C., Sippel, J.L. et al. Case-fatality with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in United States Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. Spinal Cord 58, 1040–1041 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-020-0529-0
Our Partners
There are several organizations in India working in the spinal cord injury space; while some impart holistic rehabilitation, others cater to some ways to empower persons with spinal cord injury and live a life of good health and dignity.
With profound grief, we sadly inform that Major HPS Ahluwalia (Retd) left for his heavenly abode on January 14, 2021. An avid mountaineer and a keen adventure enthusiast, Maj Ahluwalia left an indelible mark in many fields including adventure, sports, environment, disability and social work. He was awarded Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri & Arjuna Award for his contributions. After scaling Mt Everest in May 1971, he became a quadriplegic due to a Spinal Cord Injury sustained during the Indo-Pak war in September 1971. After his rehabilitation abroad, he decided to set up a world class Centre for rehabilitation of persons with spinal cord injury; Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) came into being under his superb guidance. In him, The Spinal Foundation (TSF) has lost a worthy Patron and the First President of the Governing Board.
A legend who epitomised what can be achieved by the “Power of the mind”, he has left behind a rich harvest of memories to cherish, honour and emulate. He will continue to guide and inspire, not only the ISIC family and the TSF family, but also the innumerable whose lives he touched.
May God rest his soul in peace and give strength to all of us to not only bear the loss but also to strive for the cause for which he devoted his life – “To make lives of persons with spinal cord injury happy, meaningful and worth living”.
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