Summertime’s Increased Risk for Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
July 2012— As summertime kicks into high gear so does the occurrence of serious brain and spinal cord injuries among children and adolescents, warn leading doctors at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The KiDZ Neuroscience Center, at The Miami Project has recently partnered with the Toral Family Foundation to help combat the influx in injuries during these high-risk months, which is due to increased participation in recreational activities, such as swimming, bicycling and playing sports.
“Vacation and increased outdoor activities enhance the incidence of injuries in summer,” said Dr. Gillian Hotz, a nationally recognized expert in the field of pediatric brain injuries, concussions, and safety at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. “We urge everyone to take caution while walking, biking and travelling in their vehicles. Always use caution when diving into a pool or the ocean and wear helmets, seat belts and the proper sports safety equipment during recreational activities, not only in summer but throughout the year.”
Safety precautions are the best measures to prevent devastating brain and spinal cord injuries. The Toral Family Foundation, a Florida-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing help and hope to families affected by these serious injuries, has made a significant donation to support The Miami Project’s community education and prevention programs, namely their signature Walksafe and Bikesafe initiatives.
“We share a common goal with The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis of improving the quality of care and advances in research for individuals affected by traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries,” said Frank Toral, a Fort Lauderdale attorney who started the foundation with his wife, Olivia, to support brain and spinal cord injury research, education and rehabilitation programs. “Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of disability and death in children and adolescents nationwide, and the rate could significantly be reduced by taking simple safety precautions like wearing a bike helmet, properly securing child car seats and recognizing the signs of a concussion.”
Frank Toral is senior partner at Toral Garcia Battista, a law firm that handles serious injury cases with a focus on helping survivors and families of brain and spinal cord injuries navigate the legal and health care complexities for the best possible outcomes. His foundation collaborates with organizations positively impacting brain injury around the state of Florida, including the Brain Injury Association of Florida, Brooks Health Foundation, The Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation/Brain Institute, and Mothers for TBI Hope. The Toral Family Foundation recently partnered with the University of Florida/College of Medicine to support a new term professorship and establish a traumatic brain injury research center.