General
Information
The
best way to refer a person for ASCC services is to call the
Little Rock Administrative office at 1-501-296-1788. In addition,
you may also FAX a referral to 1-501-296-1787 or email a referral
to referral@arspinalcord.org.
Your
referral should contain the name, address and telephone number
of the candidate for services. Other helpful information (if
available) is date of birth, social security number, attending
physician, veteran status, diagnosis, date of onset, and extent
of disability.
Anyone
can refer another Arkansas resident for services - you can
even refer yourself! Remember that Act 330 makes it manatory
for all public and private health care and social agencies
to report all spinal cord disabled individuals to ASCC within
5 days of identification.
What
are the most common causes of spinal cord injury (SCI)?
In
Arkansas, 52% of all new traumatic injuries are from motor
vehicle crashes while 19% of new traumatic injuries are a
result of gunshots and assaults. The remainder of traumatic
SCI's result from falls(12%), diving accidents (7%), falling
objects (6%), and other causes (4%).
Nationally,the
leading cause of all SCI cases is motor vehicle crashes, which
accounts for 36.6% of all cases. The next leading cause of
SCI is acts of violence, followed by falls and sporting accidents.
For
further statistical information on Spinal Cord Injury, please
look at our statistics page.
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Are
spinal cord injuries permanent?
The
permanence of a spinal cord injury depends upon the damage
done to the nerve cells that comprise the spinal cord. If
the nerve cell is bruised or swollen, it may eventually
recover and resume its normal function. However, if a nerve
cell dies it is unable to repair itself and it is never
replaced. Therefore, the effects will be permanent.
For
more information, please read Fact
Sheet 12, Predicting Outcome (Prognosis) in Spinal Cord
Injury.
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Where
can I get more information about living with spinal cord injuries?
An
excellent resource on living with spinal cord injuries is
the CD rom, Take Control. In addition,
there are a number of great books on the subject. To learn
more about any of these resources, please call the Arkansas
Spinal Cord Commission Resource Center on SCI at (501)-296-1792.
For
People with Spinal Cord Disabilities
- What
can you do for me?
ASCC's
most important objective is to ensure that a person
with a spinal cord disability be given every opportunity
to live as independently as possible.
ASCC Case Managers are knowledgeable in all aspects
of spinal cord disability and rehabilitation. If you
are newly disabled, your Case Manager will work closely
with you, your family, medical professionals and other
agencies in coordinating and providing needed servcies.
If you have been disabled for a while, your Case Manager
can direct you to support groups, recreational opportunities
and educational conferences as well as keeping you up-to-date
on the latest research and equipment.
What
kind of college scholarships are available for disabled high
school students?
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The
Governor's office on People with Disabilities gives an annual
scholarship. To get an application, call either the Governor's
office at 682-2345 or your case manager. The applications
usually become available in February or March. The Spina
Bifida Association gives a limited number of scholarships
to people with Spina Bifida. These scholarships may be continued
throughout college it the student maintains a grade point
average of C or higher. For more information on these scholarships,
call the local or national association. The Spina Bifida
Association of Arkansas can be reached at (501) 978-7222.
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Can
I get a job without losing my social security or SSI?
You
lose your SSI as soon as you begin a permanent job. Social
Security allows you a "trial" time to see if you
will be able to hold the job. You may work part time and continue
to receive social security if you earn below a certain amount.
This amount differs for each individual, so you will have
to check with Social Security to determine your amount.
Individuals
with a spinal cord disability often need assistance in making
their home accessible. ASCC provides financial assistance
to those clients who meet eligibility criteria for the completion
of home modifications and/or ramping that have been deemed
functionally necessary for the individual. Contact your
Case Manager to begin the process!
Your
Case Manager will evaluate your home and, in consultation
with you and your family, determine the work to be accomplished.
ASCC will then request bids from local contractors to perform
the work. Your Case Manager will meet with the selected contractor
at the beginning and throughout the construction process.
The contractor works for and will be paid by ASCC.
Ramps,
in particular, must be constructed to specifications established
by ASCC. Your Case Manager will include these specifications
in the request for bids. In addition, there may be other specifications
depending if you own or rent your home. Contact you Case manager
for details.
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How
can I go back to work when I am unable to do the job I was
trained to do?
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Services
such as Vocational Rehabilitation can perform tests
to determine appropriate jobs for you given your current
limitations. Some funding may be available to train
you for a new job.
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I
have a good idea for a business. Is there any place I can
get help starting it?
Call
the Small Business Administration and request information
on Handicap Assistance Loans (HAL). If the money is available,
you could receive a loan with a very small interest rate.
In order to get a loan, you MUST have a well thought out plan
and be thorough in how your business will be operated and
how you feel it will succeed.
Who
is my Case Manager?
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ASCC
Case Managers are assigned by county. Identify your Case Manager
by determining who is assigned to your county. A list of Case
Managers and the counties they serve is available here
or you may call any ASCC office for assistance
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