People with spinal cord injuries across the Czech Republic face a lack of capacity in centres that provide them with the help they need. This problem also occurs in the Brno Metropolitan Area. Although ParaCENTRUM Fenix has its own facilities, its workplaces are scattered in several locations in Brno in rented premises that do not meet the conditions of barrier-free accessibility. Its clients are looking forward to the modernised premises in the new building in Modřice.
Over 700 people make up the community of ParaCENTRUM Fenix, which has been providing social and health services for more than 20 years, especially to people with spinal cord injuries. For some time now, the centre has been seeking to move to more suitable premises. This will change with the move to a building in Modřice that will undergo renovation. After the renovation, the centre will finally have wheelchair access, but they are also thinking about energy sustainability, customised interior furnishings and sufficient parking spaces. In addition to improving the quality of services, adequate facilities will also allow for an increase in the number of clients. The idea of establishing a modern rehabilitation and social services centre is inspired by similar projects abroad. It will offer everything needed for people with spinal cord injuries under one roof.
Damage to the spinal cord leads to loss of sensation and paralysis of the muscles of body parts below the level of damage. Approximately 10,000 people in the Czech Republic are living with spinal cord injury, with approximately 250 new cases every year. Often this is the result of injuries sustained in road accidents, falls from height or jumps into water. ParaCENTRUM Fenix helps these people in various ways. It facilitates their transition from institutional care to a home environment and promotes their self-sufficiency. Specifically, it provides personal assistance, rehabilitation, wheelchair transport, wheelchair-accessible flats or a gym, lends compensatory and medical aids and organises convalescent stays, awareness-raising lectures and social, sporting and cultural events. It also provides social rehabilitation and food and material assistance to clients who find themselves in an unfavourable social situation. For providing social, health and humanitarian assistance to people with spinal cord injuries, ParaCENTRUM Fenix has received, for example, the Czech MADE award or the Czech Society for Quality award for the project Roztáčíme život naplno (Let’s get life moving).
The construction of the new centre in Modřice will cost more than CZK 100 million and is part of a separate integrated solution with the same name. The subsidy from the ITI will cover almost CZK 72 million of this amount. The centre should open to new clients in 2027.
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