In 2008 the Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) and the Division on Disability and Health Policy at the University of New Mexico's Center for Development and Disability began working with Navajoland Nurses United for Research Service and Education (NNurse) to conduct a series of six information sharing meetings on the Navajo Nation to learn about quality of life for people living with paralysis on the Nation and how the PRC could better serve people with paralysis on the Nation.

The nine month project concluded with a mutton fest on the Navajo Nation.

As a follow-up from the information sharing meetings done with NNurse we received suggestions on how the PRC could better serve the Navajo Nation. We are working with N-Nurse on these suggestions which includes the creation of educational materials for community health representatives and the creation of support groups spread throughout the nation.

Our Live Without Limits meetings are free informational meetings for non profit, community based organizations and healthcare professionals to learn about the Paralysis Resource Center and the services which we offer to the community. 

Meetings have been held in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Chicago, Houston, and Albuquerque. In 2011 we will be hosting meetings in Phoenix and Atlanta.

• Download a copy of the invitation to the Albuquerque event (pdf)
• Download a copy of the Albuquerque agenda (pdf)

Join the Multicultural Outreach group on our Paralysis Community!

According to a 2009 national population survey sponsored by the Reeve Foundation over 5.5 million people in the United States are living with paralysis or approximately 1 in 50 people.

The study found that paralysis is disproportionately distributed among minority communities including African Americans and Native Americans.

• 17.2% of African Americans and 3.7% of Native Americans are affected by paralysis
• 15.6% of African Americans and 7.3% of Native Americans reported having a spinal cord injury

The Paralysis Resource Center's multicultural outreach ambassadors are members of the community who spread awareness about day to day quality of life issues related to paralysis and the Paralysis Resource Center.

For more infomation about the PRC Ambassador Program, contact Priti Mehta.

Meet the Ambassadors:

• Ruben Rios
• Juan Garibay
• Eric Gibson
• Cecelia Fred
• Dr. Suzy Kim
• Angela Rockwood-Nguyen and Dustin Nguyen
• Danny Arroyo