A Waterford woman and Spinal Injuries Ireland says everyone with a spinal cord injury should be entitled to a medical card based on need and not means, as is the current situation.
They are calling for the change in their pre-budget submission .
It will be one of the items up for discussion at tonight's Spinal Injuries "This is my Life" National Road show in the Woodlands Hotel.
The Road Show begins at 6.30pm.
There are 3 new injuries in Ireland every week and this is an opportunity for those with spinal injuries to talk about the issues that impact them.
The organisation is there to help those injured to get back into the community and working environment.
One of those attending will be Waterford woman Suzanne Winters, a full time wheelchair user following a road accident when she was seven.
The 43 year old has returned to the workforce on a part time basis.
She says she would like to work fulltime but is fearful of loosing her medical card. Suzanne told WLR she hates when the application comes through the letter box.
"You have to fill all that out for somebody who doesn't know you, it's based on what you earn and what you have and not your medical needs," she said.
According to the CEO of Spinal Injuries Ireland, Fiona Bolger, 25% of people with a spinal cord injury are living on or below the poverty line.
She's welcoming people to the Road Show to discuss any issues that affect them, particularly around the assessment process for medical cards.
Suzanna is an advocate for these kind of meet ups, and told WLR of the importance of having a support group.
"You always need somebody there for support. When service users come out of the rehabilitation centre, they definitely need spinal organisations for support," she said.
To find out more about the Road Show event tonight, see the Spinal Injuries Ireland website.
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