Our community is currently attempting to understand the fluid developments surrounding the coronavirus.

People with spinal cord injury, particularly high level ones, are vulnerable to complications from any respiratory infection. This is because their respiratory function can be significantly compromised. Additionally, people with spinal cord injuries are in close contact with different people involved in their life every day. Such contact can increase the risk of disease transmission if appropriate infection control measures are not taken.

Therefore, it is prudent for people with spinal cord injury to be vigilant during this time and monitor health authority recommendations. The National Disability Insurance Agency has provided some information here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/ndis-and-other-government-services/ndis-and-disaster-response#coronavirus-information

About Dr Dinesh Palipana:

Dr Dinesh Palipana is part of the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation Scientific Committee and a resident at the Gold Coast University Hospital. Dr Dinesh has a spinal cord injury at C6/7 from a motor vehicle accident. As a result, he has a longstanding passion and interest in spinal cord injury research. He earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), prior to completing his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Griffith University.

He has completed an Advanced Clerkship in Radiology at the Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. Dinesh was the second medical graduate with quadriplegia in Australia, and the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland. He has been an advocate for supporting medical students with disabilities and is one of four founding members of Doctors with Disabilities Australia.