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Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario’s annual SKI & SNOWboard DAY

Release Date: 
Feb 13 2008

MEDIA ADVISORY

ATTENTION:  ASSIGNMENT, NEWS, SPORTS, LIFESTYLE, COMMUNITY AND PHOTO MEDIA

 

WHAT: Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario’s annual SKI & SNOWboard DAY, presented by The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company. Highlights of the day include a fun ski and snowboard race, mono-ski demonstrations, a freestyle and half-pipe aerial monstration, and ski and snowboard clinics. Media are invited to hit the slopes on specially adapted sit ski equipment. 

WHO: Bill Adair, Executive Director, CPA Ontario, Rich Vanderwal, sports enthusiast and Sit Ski expert 

WHY: The daylong event will raise funds to assist people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and other physical disabilities to achieve independence, self-reliance and full community participation. CPA Ontario provides information services, financial counselling and assistance, employment services, community advocacy and peer support for people with SCI and other physical disabilities, and their families.

WHERE: Craigleith Ski Club, Collingwood, ON

Directions:  From Collingwood, follow Hwy 26 West, 11 km to Grey Rd. 19.  Turn left onto Grey Rd. 19 to Craigleith Rd., and turn right.  Watch for Craigleith Ski Club on the left-hand side.  Call:  705-445-3847; Direct Toronto Line:  416-690-7000            

WHEN: Friday, February 15th, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - Registration, 10:00 a.m. - On the slopes; beginner ski & snowboard lessons, 11:00 a.m. - Interviews, photo opportunities, media sit-ski trial, 12:00 noon - Lunch, 1:30 p.m. - Fun races, 3:00 p.m.  - Après ski & prize awards                        

Consumer ticketing: $140.00 per person; or 6 tickets for the price of 5:  $700.00 

INFO: Contact: Lynn Miñeque, CPA Ontario, Manager Special Events, Tel: (416) 422-5644 ext. 221 or email: lmineque@cpaont.org 

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ABOUT CPA ONTARIO

 Mission:  To assist persons with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities toachieve independence, self-reliance and full community participation. 

What is Paraplegia & Quadriplegia?

Paraplegia is the loss of sensation and movement in legs and in part or all of the trunk, usually resulting from an injury to the spinal cord below the neck.

Quadriplegia is paralysis of all four limbs (from the neck down) resulting from injury to the neck.  Fractures or compression of the vertebrae, which cause permanent damage to the spinal cord may lead to loss of sensation, movement, pain management, bladder and bowel control, as well as affecting sexual function.

DID YOU KNOW …

  • A spinal cord injury can happen to anyone at any time.
  • There are 350 - 400 new spinal cord injuries every year in Ontario (approximately one every day) and current estimates indicate that there are approximately 12,000 Ontarians living with spinal cord injury. 
  • Spinal cord injury is one of the most traumatic events to occur in an individual’s life. 
  • Spinal cord injury affects family, friends, employers, community and the health care system. 
  • People can, and do, make a positive adjustment to life with a spinal cord injury given the right supports at the right time.
  • 84% of injuries occur to people under the age of 34.
  • The cost of spinal cord injury to the Canadian health care system can be between $1.25 million and $25 million over an individual’s lifetime depending on the severity of injury. 
  • The annual cost to the Canadian health care system is $750 million.
  • On average, it takes 2 to 3 years to attain sufficient independence following spinal cord injury.
  • Intensive psycho-social support is a critical component to rehabilitation from the onset of injury, through acute hospitalization, rehabilitation hospitalization and transition to community living.
  • 18% of spinal cord injuries are sustained by unintentional falls.
  • 27% of spinal cord injuries are the result of medical conditions or sports injuries.
  • 55% of spinal cord injuries are from motor vehicle accidents.
  • 8 to 10% of our population has a mobility-related disability.
  • In Ontario, approximately 600,000 people, or 7% of the population, live with a paralysis or permanent mobility impairment 
  • The unemployment rate for people with SCI is 62%
  • Last year, CPA Ontario helped 74 people return to work
  • CPA Ontario now has more than 10,000 members and donors in Ontario alone.
  • The CPA Ontario provides specific services during every step of recovery through its core programs and services.  CPA Ontario provides consistent holistic, individualized and quality assured services in the following core areas: 
    • Rehabilitation Counselling:  assists people to cope with the overall impact of disability.  Services focus on healthcare, active living, physical fitness, rebuilding identity and positive self-esteem.  Services assist individuals and their families to achieve independence in the community by offering continuous support, information, community links and follow-up
    • Peer Support:  links people who have a new spinal cord injury with trained volunteers who have lived with a spinal cord injury for some time to encourage and sustain the newly injured through challenges they face.  Connections can be made with individuals and / or families.  Peer support can be activated any time.