Mark's Transformative Thoughts: Jan. 2022
Dear Split Second Family,
When I started Split Second Foundation, I met with many trusted friends and advisors. I wanted to get their take on the need for an organization that would break barriers for people living with disabilities. How many people were affected? How much was Louisiana and the United States impacted by disabilities?
It didn’t take long for me to realize that disability is something that involves all of us. Either we’re the one living with the condition or we know someone. There is no degree of separation, and I was reminded of this the other day when I saw the recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fact sheet, “Disability Impacts All of Us.”
Here are a few startling stats:
- 26 percent of adult Americans, 61 million, have some type of disability. In Louisiana, it’s 34 percent
- 13.7 percent of adult Americans have mobility issues (difficulty walking or climbing stairs). In Louisiana, it’s 17 percent
- 10.8 percent of adult Americans have a cognition issue (serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions). In Louisiana, it’s much higher at 17 percent
- People with disabilities are more likely to have chronic conditions such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes
Looking over these statistics, it becomes clear that a large percentage of this country’s and this state’s population are impacted by disability. And it prompts the question: what are we collectively doing to help people living with disabilities live better lives?
Your support for Split Second Foundation answers that question. Yes, many of us live with a disability, but, perhaps more importantly, when we come together as a community, we can create positive change, because these are our friends, family, and neighbors...this really is us.
With Gratitude,
Mark
