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 to stay up to date on awareness days impacting the paralysis community.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (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 progresses, breathing can be affected. Because ALS affects only motor activity, the disease does not impair a person's mind, personality, intelligence, or memory.
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.
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.
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 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.
For Military Appreciation Month, we are spotlighting the Reeve Foundation's Military & Veterans Program (MVP). MVP extends expertise in spinal cord injury and paralysis to include resources and community connections for service members and veterans living with paralysis, whether through combat-related, service-related, or non-service-related events.
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.