--- title: May 2024 Awareness Highlights description: As we welcome May, we're excited to spotlight the causes, celebrations, and initiatives that hold significance during this time. May offers opportunities to raise awareness, foster understanding, and celebrate diversity. --- [Voices From The Community | Spinal Cord Injury & Paralysis](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en) # [May 2024 Awareness Highlights](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/may-2024-awareness-highlights) Written by [Reeve Staff](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/author/reeve-staff) | May 1, 2024 1:00:00 PM As we welcome May, we're excited to spotlight the causes, celebrations, and initiatives that hold significance during this time. May offers opportunities to raise awareness, foster understanding, and celebrate diversity. Preview our social media spotlights and upcoming events below and be sure to follow us on social media [@ReeveFoundation](https://www.instagram.com/reevefoundation?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) to stay up to date on awareness days impacting the paralysis community. ### **ALS Awareness Month** [Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis](https://www.christopherreeve.org/living-with-paralysis/health/causes-of-paralysis/als) (ALS) is a neurological disease that primarily affects the nerves of the brainstem, spinal cord and cerebral cortex of the brain. It is a subset of a larger group of diseases called Motor Neuron Disease (MND). As [ALS](https://www.christopherreeve.org/todays-care/living-with-paralysis/health/causes-of-paralysis/als/) progresses, breathing can be affected. Because ALS affects only motor activity, the disease does not impair a person's mind, personality, intelligence, or memory. ### **Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month** AAPI Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the culture and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. As of 2020, there are 20.6 million people living in the U.S. who identify as AAPI. Census data also shows that 1 in 10 Asian American and 1 in 6 Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander is living with a disability. ### Check out the following videos featuring AAPI community members on our social media: - Violinist [Amy Wang-Hiller shares her journey](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtM2lz0pjMg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link) with compressive myelopathy and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. - Occupational Therapist [Taejun (TJ) Lee discusses his favorite Korean food](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2C5UTTMs8W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) for Korean American Day. ### **Mental Health Awareness Month** People with physical disabilities report higher rates of mental health struggles than their able-bodied peers due to lack of resources and support systems which are readily available. ### The Reeve Foundation offers multiple mental health resources for people impacted by paralysis: - Separate [virtual support groups](https://www.christopherreeve.org/todays-care/get-support/reeve-foundation-virtual-support-group/) for both individuals living with paralysis and family members. Hosted by trained mental health professionals and peers with lived experience, these groups provide an opportunity for members to connect with others who understand what they are going through and to gain support, insight and guidance. Each meeting begins with a discussion of a topic related to living with paralysis or caregiving, followed by an open forum conversation among group members. - A “[Women’s Mental Health After Paralysis](https://www.christopherreeve.org/todays-care/living-with-paralysis/free-resources-and-downloads/education-booklets/)” educational booklet. - “Living Well with Dr. John: Adjustment Through the Lifespan” is a webinar series addressing various mental health topics relevant to the paralysis community. All webinars can be found on our [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@ChristopherReeveOrg). - [Informative blog posts](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/page/1?tags=mental-health) on mental health while living with paralysis, including [Mental Health Resources for Veterans and Service Members.](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/suicide-prevention-day-spotlight?hsLang=en) Although not a replacement for mental healthcare, having a community of others you can relate to is important in maintaining your mental health. Our [Peer and Family Support Program](https://www.christopherreeve.org/todays-care/get-support/get-a-peer-mentor/?_gl=1*gfvwqu*_ga*MTY5NTAyMjQxOS4xNzA5NDkwNTQ4*_ga_8DRBGF915B*MTcxMzkwOTg0OC4yOS4xLjE3MTM5MTA5NDAuNTUuMC4w) offers a free peer mentoring program in which you’ll be matched with someone of similar lived experience to you. This program is available for people living with paralysis and caregivers. ### **Military Appreciation Month** For Military Appreciation Month, we are spotlighting the [Reeve Foundation's Military & Veterans Program (MVP)](https://www.christopherreeve.org/get-support/military-veterans-program-mvp). MVP extends expertise in spinal cord injury and paralysis to include [resources](https://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/MVP-Brochure_bi-fold_FINAL.pdf) and community connections for service members and veterans living with paralysis, whether through combat-related, [service-related](https://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/Chapter-8-01.2021.pdf), or non-service-related events. ### Be sure to check out the following blog posts as well: - [Military and Veterans Program Spotlight: Scott Griffith](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/blog/daily-dose/military-and-veterans-program-spotlight-scott-griffith?hsLang=en) - [Special Days to Honor Our Service Members](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/special-days-honor-service-members?hsLang=en) - [Mental Health Resources for Veterans and Service Members](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/suicide-prevention-day-spotlight?hsLang=en)   ### **Women's Health Week: May 12-18, 2024** Join us on May 22nd at 3pm ET for a Women’s Health Series webinar, “Preventative Cancer Screenings While Living with Paralysis .” This webinar will feature a panel discussion among two women living with paralysis who are cancer survivors, along with an oncologist. The panelists will explore the importance of preventative cancer screenings, the physical and attitudinal barriers to accessing them, strategies for overcoming these barriers, including self-advocacy, how to find a provider who offers accessible screenings, and what questions to ask when making an appointment. ### The Reeve Foundation also offers the following resources related to women’s health: - A webinar recording of “[Empowering Women Living with Paralysis: Breaking Barriers to Reproductive Health](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv3Xk8GkgBw)” - A webinar recording of “[Women and Aging with Paralysis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIXq1gocFJc)” - A webinar recording of “[Wheelchair Barbie Goes to the Gynecologist](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fxEDc3YylQ)” - Our dedicated “[Sexual Health for Women](https://www.christopherreeve.org/todays-care/living-with-paralysis/health/sexual-health/sexual-health-for-women/)” webpage, which includes information on intimacy, pregnancy, and breast health for women living with paralysis. 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