Belleville, Illinois, Sept. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month and Allsup Employment Services (AES), a Social Security-authorized Employment Network (EN) with the Ticket to Work Program, is drawing attention to the role employment services can play in helping individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) explore work options and strengthen social connections.
Approximately 296,000 people in the U.S. are living with spinal cord injuries, with roughly 17,700 new cases each year, according to the United Spinal Association. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause (39.3%), followed by falls (31.8%), violence (13.2%), sports (8%) and medical/surgery (4.3%) causes. Most injuries occur among men, and the average age at injury is about 43. These numbers show how abruptly a spinal cord injury can alter a life. Recovery often requires medical and emotional adjustments — and raises questions about returning to work and regaining independence through employment.
SCI often involves a range of long-term physical, emotional and social adjustments. Research shows that approximately 18.7% to 26.3% of individuals with spinal cord injuries experience clinically significant symptoms of depression, a rate much higher than the general population. Many people also report …