Fundashon Alton Paas encourages Curaçao to change from awareness to action on world spinal cord injury day
Willemstad, Curaçao –On September 5, 2026, which is World Spinal Cord Injury Day (SCI), Fundashon Alton Paas joins the international community to mark the tenth anniversary of this important day. The 2026 theme, “From Awareness to Action: Ten Years Advancing SCI Prevention,” emphasizes that awareness must lead to practical, sustained action to prevent SCI.
A spinal cord injury can change a person’s life in the blink of an eye. It can affect mobility, independence, health, employment, family life, and community participation. At the same time, many spinal cord injuries can be prevented.
In Curaçao, prevention requires continuous attention to road safety, responsible driving, fall prevention, particularly among older adults. Safe workplaces, violence prevention, and safety in and around the sea. It also requires access to timely emergency and trauma care when an injury occurs.
Fundashon Alton Paas has been working for more than a decade to improve the quality of life of people living with dwarslesi and other mobility
limitations. Through the AP Center, the foundation provides specialized guided exercise and ongoing support after rehabilitation. Through Wheelee, she contributes to accessible transportation, helping people who use a wheelchair or have limited mobility stay connected to the sweet things in life that make life complete like family, community, education, training and even healthcare.
“Every person with a SCI has a story. Not only of a life-changing event, but also of resilience, adaptation and the right to remain part of society,” Fundashon Alton Paas said. “Their experience should guide how we prevent injuries and how we build a more accessible and inclusive Curaçao.”
The foundation emphasizes that prevention cannot be the responsibility of one organization or one sector alone. Effective prevention requires the attention and action of every citizen of the country, even the citizens who are part of our public sector, health care providers, schools, employers, transportation and road safety stakeholders, community organizations, families and experts for experience.
World Spinal Cord Injury Day is therefore not only a time to reflect on the challenges faced by people with the injury. It is also a call to strengthen prevention, accessibility, ongoing support, and equal opportunities for participation.
On September 5, Fundashon Alton Paas invites the community of Curaçao to carry and continue to carry the message to prevent what can be prevented, support those affected, and work together for a society in which every person can live with dignity, independence, and opportunity.