SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH INTO PARALYSIS AND SPINAL CORD INJURY

A Shorten Labor Government will provide $1.65m in support for the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation to help them find a cure for paralysis and for the Foundation’s functional therapy program.

There are approximately 15,000 Australians living with a spinal cord injury. Every day, one more Australian experiences spinal cord injury.

Established in 2010, the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation’s mission is to find a cure for paralysis, inspired by its founder Perry Cross’ own experience of a spinal cord injury during a rugby union accident, rendering him a C2 quadriplegic.

Through the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation and its partners, which include the Menzies Health Institute Queensland at Griffith University and others, a Shorten Labor Government will provide $1.65m for research into the effectiveness of a sustained functional therapy program for spinal cord injury sufferers as well as an evaluation of the social and economic costs of spinal cord injury.

The sustained functional therapy program is a long-term intensive activity rehabilitation program that allows the nervous system to make new connections and to re-learn the necessary fine control needed for proper motor and sensory function – a complementary program that will contribute to the university and the Foundation’s mission of funding to find a cure for paralysis.

This promise is consistent with Labor’s commitment to supporting a health system that will ensure greater health outcomes for every Australian.