Prevention of Spinal Cord Disability in Arkansas

Buckle-Up Safety Card and Key Chain

The Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission (ASCC) in conjunction with the Arkansas State Police has initiated a new spinal cord injury safety promotion to encourage young drivers to use their safety belts at all times.

The safety message is presented on a 4 by 6 inch postcard to which a key chain shaped like a seat belt is attached. The safety card istates that Arkansas state law requires all passengers in a motor vehicle must be wearing their seat belts when the driver is a holder of an instructional permit, a learner or an intermediate license. The card can be placed in the vehicle to remind passengers of the law and the key chain reminds the driver to buckle up at all times.

The safety card and key chain is being distributed by the State Police Troopers to new drivers upon successfully passing their driver's test. The cards will be distributed through the summer of 2005 or until the supply is exhausted.

This injury prevention promotion was funded through a grant to ASCC by an Arkansas Department of Health injury prevention grant.

Split Second Decision Program

The Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission in conjunction with the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Program has established a new spinal cord injury and preventation educational program aimed at changing the behaviors of adults regarding motor vehicle safety through an experiential program.

The program confronts participants with the effects of bad decisions, through a video program, statistical information and personal testimonies of those who have lived it and of those who have been first reaponders. The Split Second Decision Program targets young adults between the ages of 21 - 34 who are deemed at risk. Audiences are selected from schools, universities, employer saftey meetings, vocational training facilities, and DUI/DWI classes statewide.

ASCC Case Managers along with an individual with a spinal cord injury, an Emergency Medical Technician or State Trooper, make a 45 minute presentation that relates true-to-life experiences and the consequences of making bad decisions. Participants are challenged to make positive decisions: Buckle Up, Drive Sober/Drug Free, Think First!

Any organization or group wishing to schedule a Split Second Decision Presentation may contact an ASCC Case Manager in their area or Project Coordinator, Client Services Administrator Patti Rogers at (501) 296-1788 or progers@arspinalcord.org.

Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition

The Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission is one of the original members (1999) of the Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition and supports Coalition activities. The purpose of the Coalition is to educate Arkansas women of childbearing age about their need to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily in order to prevent birth defects of the brain and spine. Folic acid, a B vitamin, can help prevent 60%-80% of neural tube defects.

Since NTDs originate in the first month of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant, it is important for a woman to have enough folic acid in her system before pregnancy. The Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition recommends foIic acid for all women of childbearing age because 50 percent of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned.

Pictured here are Becky Bregy of Arkansas Childrens Hospital and Tom Farley of the ASCC staff working a folic acid information table in the Infants Department of the Wal-Mart Super Center in Little Rock.