Disability Tax Credit Eligibility for Canadians with Spinal Cord Injury
According to studies, there are more than 1,500 Canadians that suffer a spinal cord injury per year. A spinal cord injury can result in marked restrictions of physical movement and could qualify you for Canada’s disability tax credit.
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
Many spinal cord injuries result in a deadening of nerve endings, a permanent decrease in strength, and changes in overall bodily functions. For the time being, there is no cure for serious spinal injuries, but treatment can help many and reduce, or even eliminate, some of the following symptoms:
- Loss of movement
- Loss of bladder control
- Loss of bowel control
- Loss of sensation
- Changes in sexual function
- Difficulty breathing
- Depression
- Spasms
- Pain
Some individuals may experience all of the aforementioned symptoms for the rest of their lives, while others experience only one or two for brief periods of time.
Facts about Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur from a multitude of different incidents. The following is a list of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries:
- Car Accidents—Car accidents cause nearly 50 percent of spinal cord injuries.
- Falls—Falls results in almost a quarter of spinal cord injuries. These tend to affect the elderly more often, but anyone can suffer a fall that results in a spinal cord injury.
- Violence—Violence, such as a mugging or domestic abuse, cause up to 16 percent of spinal cord injuries.
- Sports Injuries—Sports injuries cause a little over 10 percent of spinal cord injuries.
Minor spinal cord injuries might result in just a few months of physical therapy before an individual can return to normal productivity, but major spinal cord injuries may result in a lifetime of decreased mobility. If that is the case for you or a loved one, remember to fill out a disability tax credit application. Disability tax credit is available to help those that are markedly restricted due to mobility, and can help you handle your financial situations during your time of need.
Assistance and Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries
At this time, there is no way to reverse damage to the spinal cord, but there are breakthroughs in treatments every day. That doesn’t mean that those with spinal cord injuries cannot return to a normal level of productivity, however. There are many treatments and medicines available right now that are designed to help prevent further damage to your spinal cord, increase mobility, and ease pain. The following is a list of the most common and effective spinal cord injury treatments:
- Medications—Anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers are often prescribed to those with a spinal cord injury to help them deal with pain and increase their mobility.
- Immobilization—Sometimes, immobilization can help to stabilize a patient’s spine and strengthen their spinal cord.
- Surgery—Surgery is often needed to help remove fragments of bones or foreign objects from the spinal area and reduce pressure on the spine itself. It can also help to stabilize the spine and reduce pain.
- Physical Therapy—Exercise can help to strengthen the muscles around the spine, increase mobility, and ease pain.
No matter how severe your spinal cord injury may be, there are organizations and people out there that want to help. For example, Canada’s disability tax credit is designed to help out those that need financial assistance due to a marked restriction in mobility. If you are in need of financial help, fill out the disability tax credit form today and get the help you need now.