When a spinal cord injury occurs, the consequences are catastrophic. People suffer and their families suffer. This is both physical as well as emotional, social and economic.
Resources indicate that health care in Canada for individuals with spinal cord injuries—those who are newly injured or those who are already in that situation—apparently represent a total cost of $3.5 billion a year. So if we can reduce the risk of paralysis, which is Rick Hansen's dream—a world where someone can walk even after a spinal cord injury—that will also reduce hospitalization costs and its consequences. Because at all levels, the consequences are major when you have a spinal cord injury.
We have achieved progress, both with the register, and with an interesting program—