If you could prevent someone from becoming critically injured, would you? Maybe you can-and all you have to do is contact USAIC.

Most brain and spinal cord injuries can be prevented by using very simple safety measures and we would like to offer students and senior citizens the opportunity to hear this important message.

The USAIC has been presenting injury prevention programs for many years. THINK FIRST is a national brain and spinal cord injury prevention program that has been presented to thousands of students throughout Chicago and the suburbs. People who present the programs have sustained injuries and speak from their personal experiences. They relate their stories and offer very simple precautionary measures to help reduce the risk of injury. Students like the programs and many teachers have made it part of their curriculum.

 

Falls become the leading cause of spinal cord injury as people age. USAIC welcomes the opportunity to speak to senior citizen groups and offer simple suggestions to minimize risk of falls.

 

If you would like to schedule THINK FIRST or FALL PREVENTION for any group, please contact USAIC at info@sci-injur.org. Programs are presented free of charge.

Meet Our Speakers:

Lee

At the age of 14, Lee was paralyzed by a genetic condition, arterial venal malformations of the spinal cord. Learning to live with paralysis was a long, tedious process, but with great family support, Lee has done remarkably well. She went on to work for the FBI for 13 years, and currently works for the Stickney Township Library. She has been married since 2002, to her husband Karl.

Lee and Karl are the very proud “parents” of Java Bean, an amazing service dog who helps Lee with many tasks. Lee is rarely seen without her four-footed friend. Java Bean adds a dimension to injury prevention programs when Lee explains how he helps with things that she is not able to do on her own.

Wardell

Sometimes it takes something really bad to wake a person up.

Wardell Kyles is one of those people. He was involved in a shooting that resulted in him becoming a paraplegic. That was followed by a long arduous process of physical rehabilitation followed by an even harder time changing his attitude about life and becoming a positive,
good natured person.

Today Wardell is passionate about educating young people about the dangers of engaging in risk taking behavior and doing all they can to keep safe, to Think First. He is equally passionate about mentoring young men who are new to the world of spinal cord injury. He works to keep them on the right path to wellness and productive lifestyles. He lets them know that, “Just because you are in a wheelchair , life Is not over.” “The chair doesn’t define us.”