American Paraplegia Society

Synopsis by MobiLife, Power Wheel Chairs

The American Paraplegia Society mission is to advance spinal cord medicine through education, dissemination of information, and by promoting research and advocacy. They work with physicians, researchers, and all types of health care providers that help people with spinal cord injuries or disorders. The APS has been around since 1954 and is dedicated to helping people with spinal cord injuries by enhancing the quality of medical care. They have 23 centers located in 15 states, as well, as Puerto Rico. There are 5 committees, but the 2 main ones are the Clinical Practice and Education. The Clinical Practice Committee was developed to refine professional standards for physicians and other health care professionals of spinal cord injury, as well as, improving treatment outcomes through research. The Education Committee gives information that will increase physician's knowledge that takes care of spinal cord patients. It also works with the Program Committee by coordinating CME activities. The main thing the Committee is responsible for are identifying resources, work with other Committees to put together all types of events to disseminate information, and patients.

Some goals the American Paraplegia Society is to expand the knowledge of spinal cord injuries and other related problems. Each year, the APS throws an annual scientific conference that provides the latest information on new devices such as power wheel chairs, devices for the hearing impaired, and other accessories. They also discuss advances in research and technological breakthroughs. They want to review and present current clinical and research information on diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitative techniques that are related to traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injuries. The APS also is working on the enhancement of practice skills and techniques physicians use while working with people that have spinal cord injuries. Another goal they have is to identify what issues and priorities people are facing while researching for information, as well as, helping physicians and other related health care professionals by providing a forum for professional interchange.

Thousands of people with spinal cord injuries and their health care providers have and will continually be reached because of the generous support and giving of many sponsors, and scientific, educational, and advocacy endeavors.