Spinal Injuries Association welcomes the news that three American patients, all paralysed from the waist down, have been able to regain some movement and walk again after having an electrical patch fitted to their spinal cords. The device, placed below the level of injury, helps lost signals from the brain reach the muscles.

Dave Bracher, from the Spinal Injuries Association and himself spinal cord injured welcomed the breakthrough as offering long-term hope, but warned that spinal cord injured people’s immediate needs must be met as a priority.

He said. “This breakthrough offers the genuine possibility that the lives of many thousands of spinal cord injured people could be transformed in the years ahead. That is to be celebrated and we welcome the progress in this area of research. SIA calls today for more support to be given to clinical research into spinal cord injury so that, ultimately, every spinal cord injured person can benefit from advances in research and technology.”

He added. “However, although walking and mobility may be the most visible aspect of being spinal cord injured, it’s just one of a great many immediate challenges that face people after they’ve had a spinal cord injury. Dealing with the psychological effects of injury, social isolation and continuing widespread discrimination as well as medical issues such as managing essential bladder and bowel function all have an impact on spinal cord injured people’s lives that in many ways are at least as great as issues with mobility and walking.

That’s why Spinal Injuries Association will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every spinal cord injured person gets the ongoing information, care and support they need, so that they can lead a productive, happy and fulfilled life now.”