8 out of 10 spinal cord injured people are concerned that their financial situation won’t allow them to survive next winter by Leah Llano February 27, 2024 February 27, 2024 244 8 out of 10 spinal cord injured people are concerned about how they will survive next winter due to the cost-of-living crisis according to a new survey released today by the Spinal Injuries Association. The ‘What Matters’ survey, which looked at almost 1000 responses from spinal cord injured people, found that the majority of respondents have stretched themselves to the limit this winter by diving into savings or running up huge debt. With benefits falling short, some have been forced to turn to food banks and warm spaces with one so desperate that they admitted to resorting to stealing food from shops. Despite the news that energy costs are coming down in the short term, the future is uncertain with overall energy costs still much higher. Many have real concerns that they have no real way of increasing their income to absorb any additional costs that next winter will inevitably bring. Spinal cord injury brings mobility issues and in many cases paralysis below the point of injury but there are many hidden effects such as an inability to regulate body temperature. For a spinal cord injured person simply switching off the heating is not a safe option and some have to use additional equipment such as hoists or stairlifts which take on even more electricity. Many reported that the cold adversely affects their pain levels and their ability to walk with some struggling to actually move around their own home. Some resorted to wearing ski clothes indoors or wrapping themselves in blankets and duvets and staying in bed all day, rather than turning on the heating. Peter Mayell from Sutton-in-Ashfield said: “I feel petrified and scared to death currently spending £430 a month on gas and electricity and I don’t know how I will survive next winter”. Nik Hartley OBE, CEO of Spinal Injuries Association said: “We’re shocked and saddened by what we’ve learnt. It remains clear from our responses that spinal cord injured people are being failed. Failed by a health and social care system in crisis and failed by a lack of coordination and financial support when they really need it. We will continue to support our members to ensure that they are receiving all of the discounts to which they are entitled and know where to find any additional help” Spinal Injuries Association Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Leah Llano previous post Midwives from Southampton scoop national award for app that improves maternity safety next post Pioneering polar adventurer and charity CEO of The Muscle Help Foundation charity to be awarded MBE for services to people with Muscular Dystrophy You may also like Challenges facing the custom orthotic design industry July 4, 2024 6 Autism stereotypes we need to overcome May 2, 2024 April 24, 2024 Public concern about the NHS soars as delays accessing A&E and GP... April 23, 2024 Spoken Announces Update and Plans for Autism Acceptance Month April 22, 2024 A third of Brits have difficulty accessing their GP. Local health reforms... April 19, 2024 Transform Healthcare Unveils 10-Point Transformation Plan Under New Leadership April 18, 2024 Coventry University leads UK-Indonesia initiative to increase disability inclusion in higher education April 17, 2024 PhD student aims to help save lives as autism research is included... April 16, 2024 Pioneering Spinal Health with Prof. Dr. Yunus Aydın’s Microdiscectomy and Spinal Canal... April 15, 2024 Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.