Milestones of CPA - A Brief History

Prior to 1945

Only between 1% and 10% of people who sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) survived longer than a year.

1945

Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA) is founded by a group of WWII veterans with spinal cord injuries. Low life expectancy, combined with a pervasive belief in society that having a disability meant living in a hospital or being institutionalized, made for a grim situation for people with SCI. John Counsell, CPA founder, who fought and was injured at Dieppe, brings the first folding, self-propelled wheelchair to Canada. This simple act creates a revolution in the area of mobility, and something Counsell regarded as “the initial road to rehabilitation”.

1952

The first meeting of the National Advisory Committee on the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons is held in Ottawa.

1952

Ken Langford is elected Chairman of the Council of Veterans Associations, an organization with the purpose of keeping abreast of developments and presenting a united front to the Federal government on matters pertaining to veterans.

1967

The Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association is formed through CPA to create opportunities for people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities achieve full community participation.

1974

Lyndhurst Hospital is officially opened in November, as the first and only one in Canada for the rehabilitation of spinal injured patients, and is not only regarded a model for the nation, but also for the world.

1982

CPA Ontario begins providing employment services in the Toronto Region.

1983

The Nucleus Housing project was launched to establish the first community-level, attendant services facility for people who have high level quadriplegia. CPA Ontario is vigorously involved in the initiation and development of the project.

1985

Rick Hansen launches the “Man in Motion Tour” with the support of CPA, drawing much needed attention to spinal cord injuries and disabilities in general.

1987

CPA Ontario’s Attendant Services program is founded by Darrel Murphy, past Director of the program.

1996

The first pilot Wheelchair Relay Challenge is organized in Ottawa. As it is a huge success, another Wheelchair Relay Challenge took place in Toronto the same year. Afterwards, CPA Ontario’s Wheelchair Relay Challenges across the province became the biggest annual fundraising event for people with SCI. There are 15 Wheelchair Relay Challenges taking place in Ontario.

1997

CPA Ontario opens the Employment Resource Centre dedicated exclusively to helping people with a disability re-enter the workforce.

1999

CPA Ontario completes an aggressive expansion of its programs and services – offices open in London, Barrie, Ottawa, Hamilton and Thunder Bay to serve people with SCI throughout Ontario.

2000

CPA Ontario launches its highly successful “Peer Support Program” to assist people with new injuries in dealing with the impact of a spinal cord injury and to reintegrate into society.

2002

CPA Ontario holds the first annual conference on SCI to introduce the latest research advances and to educate the medical and lay communities.

2003

CPA Ontario establishes a Postdoctoral Fellowship on spinal cord research at Toronto Rehab/University of Toronto to fund research into functional electrical stimulation to enhance motor control. .In the same year, the Kingston office opens.

2005

CPA Ontario keeps expanding, with two additional offices established in Muskoka and Chatham/Windsor.

2006

Peterborough regional office is established. .CPA Ontario launches its website.

2007

Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury offices are established to accommodate the rising needs in the areas.

2008

An office opens in York region.

2009

CPA Ontario establishes the Aboriginal/First Nations Strategy expanding programs and services to Northwest Ontario and to the Six Nations Reserve.

CPA Ontario establishes the Legacy for Life Society to recognize individual donors who have named CPA Ontario as a beneficiary in their will.

An office opens in Kitchener-Waterloo region.

2010

An office opens in Sioux Lookout region.

The life expectancy of someone after injury has increased to between 85% and 90%. Approximately one person a day sustains a spinal cord injury in Ontario. CPA Ontario has a long track record and continues to provide people living with SCI and other physical disabilities, with the specialized programs and services they need to conquer the physical and psychological barriers to regaining independence.