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Frequently Asked Questions General Information How do I refer someone? 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. 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. 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. What is a spinal cord injury? A spinal cord injury is when nerves in the spinal cord are damaged in a manner that prevents them from transmitting messages between parts of the body and the brain. Spinal Cord Injuries are either complete or incomplete. In a complete injury, no messages can pass between the brain and parts of the body below the level of injury. In an incomplete injury, at least one message can pass between the brain and the parts of the body below the level of injury. This may or may not be useful. For a more thorough explanation, please read What is a Spinal Cord Injury? 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? 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. 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. Do you build ramps? 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. How can I go back to work when I am unable to do the job I was trained to do? 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. 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? 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