May 2024 Awareness Highlights
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Stroke Awareness Month
Stroke is the leading cause of paralysis, with spinal cord injury a close second. Paralysis is a common feature of stroke, often on one side of the body (hemiplegia). The paralysis or weakness may affect only the face, an arm, or a leg or may affect one entire side of the body and face. However, the bleeding of the brain during an ischemic stroke can lead to full paraplegic or quadriplegic paralysis.
Global Accessibility Awareness Month
In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Month, we’ll be spotlighting Chandra Smith on our social media channels @ReeveFoundation. Crowned Ms. Wheelchair America 2024, Chandra advocates for the rights of people with disabilities through her platform on digital accessibility. Alongside Ariana Aboulafia and Henry Claypool, Chandra presented at Reeve Summit 2024 over the future of tech and disability.
World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Day
May 30 is World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Day. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms may be episodic and mild, such as numbness in a limb or a visual disturbance that resolves over time. Others can have more severe and lasting symptoms, including paralysis, incontinence, cognitive loss, or loss of vision. Each case of MS is unique depending on the nerves affected. An individual can have one, all, or any combination of symptoms. Symptoms can resolve totally, some or all symptoms can remain.
Memorial Day
On Memorial Day, May 31, we honor those who have served this country. Memorial Day, first called "Decoration Day," was conceived by a group of Union Army veterans after the Civil War ended as a day to lay flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers. Bouquets and evergreens from public gardens and the President's Conservatory and Treasury gardens were placed throughout Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868, during a ceremony attended by thousands. In 1971, Memorial Day was expanded by Congress to honor all soldiers who have died in service to the country.
Learn more about the Reeve Foundation's Military & Veterans Program (MVP).
Visit our National Paralysis Resource Center for the following free resources:
- Download or request a copy of our comprehensive Paralysis Resource Guide.
- Request free wallet cards explaining various co-occurring conditions. Keep these on you in case of emergencies to provide life-saving information to healthcare providers.
- Browse our many informational fact sheets.
- Download or request copies of our educational booklets.