SCI Hurricane Preparedness

Climate change effects us all, but disproportionately impacts certain regions and people. In South East (S.E.) Florida, warming temperatures are ushering in stronger, wetter, slower-moving storms; and persons with disability have unique requirements when preparing for these climate emergencies. Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, South Florida Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems, and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, teamed up with local disability community organizations to learn about hurricane preparedness in South Floridian's living with spinal cord injury (SCI). This episode drills in on how these coastal residents prepare for hurricanes, and the results of a resent research study that sought to learn more about disability and preparing for climate emergencies. The lessons learned from examples in this population tell a larger story about mobility impairment and emergency management in general. Mr. Anson James, president of the Miami SCI Support Group, and Ms. Sabrina Cohen, founder and president of the Sabrina Cohen Foundation, share their experiences about preparing for hurricanes while living with SCI. From the Miller School, Dr. Daniel Samano gives a public health perspective, and Marisa Carino Mason and David McMillan discuss the results of the partnered preparedness study. Winnie tells us about the role that Miami's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) plays in preparedness efforts. And Angelique Gadson with Dade County Street Response Disaster Relief Team explains the critical connections between institutional and community entities.