Fundashon Alton Paas Highlights ‘World Spinal Cord Injury Day 2025’
WILLEMSTAD, KÒRSOU — On the occasion of World Spinal Cord Injury Day 2025, on September 5, 2025, Fundashon Alton Paas joins the global community to bring attention to this year’s important theme: “Fall Prevention, Spinal Cord Protection.”
As a foundation for people with spinal cord injuries, the foundation makes a call for more awareness and preventive initiatives to avoid falls, which are one of the causes of spinal cord injuries worldwide.
A fall can happen at any moment, in any place, to any person — at home, at work, or simply in public spaces. In Curaçao, falls cause many serious accidents that can completely change a life. From the data we received from CMC in 2024, CMC treated 26 people who had fallen, between the ages of 0 and 79. In 2025, there were 5 cases in total, between the ages of 20 and 69. In 2024, among children aged 0 to 9 years, there were 7 cases — 6 girls and 1 boy. Of the total of 26 people, 8 were women and 18 were men. In 2025, of the 5 cases, all were men.
However, most falls are preventable with the right information, support, environmental changes, and necessary tools.
At Fundashon Alton Paas, we believe in the power of prevention. Our mission is to work toward better quality of life, prevent medical complication, promoting inclusion, and empowering our community, and this begins with avoiding unnecessary accidents such as falls.
This year’s global campaign focuses on four main areas:
- Education and Awareness: Drawing public attention and educating the community about fall risks.
- Safe Environment: Calling for more attention to safety at home, workplaces, and public spaces. Ensure handrails, better lighting, proper tools, and obstacle-free walkways.
- Empowerment: Providing people with spinal cord injuries and those who support them with the tools and training necessary to prevent falls and manage risks in daily life.
- Research and Innovation: Supporting developments in rehabilitation, post-rehabilitation, assistive technology, and other solutions to protect spinal cord health.
Fundashon Alton Paas calls on everyone in Curaçao — individuals, families, employers, managers, and caregivers — to take part in this movement. Together we can prevent injuries, bring hope, and create a safer and more inclusive future for all.
“Fall prevention protects lives, brings hope, and creates possibilities. Let us act together to change lives.”
