Connecting The Resilient - A Spinal Cord Injury Podcast

Julie Sawchuk is a best-selling author, professional speaker and designated Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) professional. Julie combines her experience of living with a spinal cord injury with her passion for helping people make smart decisions when planning for accessibility.After completing the construction of her own fully accessible home, Julie wrote Build YOUR Space - How to create an accessible home for you, your family and your future. Julie’s home is the only showcase of Universal Design that demonstrates how accessibility is not just functional, but also beautiful.Listen in to our conversation as we discuss her book, her experiences, and how accessibility and adaptability is so applicable to everyone suffering from a disability. I hope you enjoy this episode!

Listen in to my conversation with Andrew Bernstein who was hit by a car while biking home from training. As he explains in the podcast, the spinal cord injury was the least of his concerns as he fought for life in the first couple of months. A year and a half later, Andrew shares how he is walking further, biking again, and attacking his rehab like he attacked his training before he got hurt. In this episode, we also touch on what it means to “recover,” and how it is often more than just physical recoveries, and Andrew offers some wonderful recommendations to patients who have recently been injured. Connect with Andrew on Instagram @bernietweets.In other news, the four year anniversary of my injury is tomorrow and I will be setting out to set the world record for the 100,000-meter row. I am doing this to raise money for the High Fives Foundation, which is an amazing organization that is helping spinal cord injury athletes achieve their dreams! We have raised an amazing $11,000 so far. Thank you to everyone who has donated! I think we can hit $15,000 with your help! All donations are doubled so go to this link and donate as much or as little as you can!

I wanted to quickly update you on what has been happening over here at CTR and where I have been! We have some really exciting episodes coming in the next couple of months and I am hoping to transform the channel into a bit more of a conversational podcast. I also wanted to share with you a fundraiser I am doing to celebrate my fourth injury anniversary! Between now and December 10th, I am trying to raise $10,000 for High Fives Foundation. High Fives is a fabulous organization that helps injured athletes get back to the sports they love. They are actually helping me fund a kite surfboard and begin kite surfing! That not all! For every $1000 we raise I will be rowing 10,000 meters on December 10th! That will be the longest I have ever rowed, before or after my injury. If you could help support this organization and together we can reach our goal! You can donate here, here, or here! If that doesn’t work go to this link: https://support.highfivesfoundation.org/fundraiser/3055365

Listen in to my conversation with Orion Owens. Orion and I met while we were at Craig and one of our first encounters was while filming with drones. Orion, who has spent much of his life photographing surfing, has continued to explore film and cinematography with drones. He recently published his first book title, “Regeneration.” You can check it out along with his other work at www.orionowens.com. I apologize for the poor audio quality in this episode. There was a technical difficulty that I didn’t notice until too late.

Listen to my conversation with Derek Herrera who suffered a spinal cord injury in combat in 2012. Since then, Derek has become an expert in spinal cord injury recovery and the technologies aiding that recovery. Derek is the founder of Spinal Singularity, a company aimed at providing solutions to widespread issues faced by the spinal cord injury community. Currently, his company is working on a fully implantable multi-use catheter that has the potential to revolutionize bladder management.We spoke about how Derek has seen the changes in funding for SCI research, the different technologies he thinks are most promising going forward, as well as his advice for newly injured people.Check out his website at www.spinalsingularity.comConnected Catheter – Trial Sign Up Site - http://connectedcatheter.com/Clinical Trials .Gov - https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04059159

Listen in to my conversation with Nick Fairall, former Olympian and current paralympian, as we discuss how he rebounded from his injury during a ski-jumping competition into another sport he loved: water skiing. Beyond these incredible feats, however, Nick’s true prowess is in his attitude towards life and recovering from a spinal cord injury. I left my conversation with Nick much happier and I hope you do as well! Feel free to connect with Nick on facebook and twitter: Facebook.com/fairallniInstagram: nick_fairall Be sure to check out our new Peer2Peer program here.

Listen in to my conversation with Mike Shaw and Jim Mullan as we discuss this year’s Wings for Life World Run. The Wings for Life World Run is an annual running race taken part all around the world that raises money for spinal cord injury research. The race will take place on Sunday, May 5th at 7 a.m EST. You can join in with Mike, Jim and I as we try to run a collective 5500 km! Download the app here and make sure you join team #Coast2Coast! Let’s join together and run for those who can’t.

I met Rob a little over a year ago at a spinal cord injury conference in Canada. Rob told me then about the research he was doing and I was fascinated by it. I knew I had to get him on the podcast and although it took over a year I finally delivered! Rob is a super fascinating guy researching some really interesting things from spinal cord injury patients optimal exercise time to the best way to match a mentor with a mentee. I really hope you enjoy this podcast as much as I did! Stay tuned for a special episode next month!

I am really excited to share with you my most recent podcast episode with Jim Harris! Jim was injured a little over four years ago while hiking in Chile but has made a remarkable recovery. The best part of Jim, however, is his great outlook toward life, his injury, and his recovery. We talked about how he has achieved this outlook as well as some milestones he has reached along the way. We also discussed the benefits and drawbacks of goal setting. I really enjoyed my conversation with Jim and hope you enjoy it as well! Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes if you enjoy it!

I am really excited to share my conversation with John Maclean with you. John was injured in 1988 and since then has battled back through his paralysis to accomplish herculean deeds. John first completed a triathlon post-injury in 1994 as a wheelchair athlete. 20 years later he completed the same triathlon as an able-bodied competitor.In those 20 years, he also raced in a number of IronMans, swam the English channel, went to and medaled in a number of Olympic games, started a foundation, and learned to walk. On top of that, he has written three books about his experiences.At the heart of it all, though, John is a determined positive goal driven individual who set his mind to many tasks and achieved them. I really hope you enjoy this episode.

Listen in to my conversation with Roy about a super cool rehabilitation/recovery/empowerment program he attended for a number of weeks. In this episode we discuss the program itself as well as what role Roy sees this program playing in the bigger scheme of rehabilitation post injury. We also spoke a great deal about how Roy was taught to work out in any gym, regardless of adaptations and how he sees that as being crucial for many other spinal cord injury patients. This was a really fascinating conversation and it was cool to check back in with Roy, who I have spoken with before, about the progress of the High Fives foundation and some of their recent milestones. Stay posted and be sure to join our newsletter for monthly updates!

Listen in to a fascinating conversation with Barry Munro, the Chief Development Officer at the Canadian Spinal Research Organization. Barry suffered a spinal cord injury over 30 years ago and as such has seen a great deal of the spinal cord injury community. We speak about the changes over the years, different types of rehabilitation, as well as his hopes for the future of spinal cord injury research. A wonderful conversation that I hope you enjoy!

Listen in to my conversation with Ira Pastor, the CEO of Bioquark, a company that is examining the regrowing abilities of reptiles and other biological creatures. Originally working in Big Pharma, Pastor talks about how they are hoping to isolate these genes and potentially figure out how these animals regrow their spinal cord. A fascinating conversation, it is definitely worth a listen!

Paralyzed in a horrific crash in 2000, Lori has gone through weeks in the ICU, months in a subpar acute rehabilitation center, and year of personal therapy. It has paid off though and Lori has had an extraordinary recovery. I hope you enjoy our conversation!

Listen in to my conversation with Jenny Sichel. Jenny is the coxswain for the adaptive national rowing team four+. She has been on the team for almost a decade and has seen the use of rowing as a rehabilitation tool grow. A relatively new field, adaptive rowing has taken off and is becoming more and more popular. Jenny hopes to compete with her four in the Tokyo 2022 olympics! A fascinating conversation, I hope you enjoy it.I apologize with the lack of episodes recently, I have been extremely busy, but I have a couple really interesting interviews coming down the line and you should hear them in 2 - 3 weeks. Check back next week for more!

Listen in to my conversation with Matt Leonard. Matt, who broke his T4 3 years ago shares his journey and tips on how he lives each day with an amazing attitude. Matt is really a great guy who helped me decide on Craig hospital and it was an honor to finally be able to interview him. Don't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast!

Be sure to listen in to my conversation with Kay Ledson, whose son suffered a SCI 17 years ago. Kay has fought for awareness of activity based rehabilitation ever since. Kay is currently walking across the greater United States, ending in Washington D.C, to get more funding from the government. Kay's walk is called Warrior momz walk and be sure to check out their facebook page and website.

Listen in to episode 8, where I speak with Bond Camp. Bond was injured three years ago skiing and has done very well, getting back to his job and the activities he loves. Bond shares advice for maximize your ability in all scenarios as well as how he got through the ups and downs. I hope you enjoy and don't forget to like and subscribe.

Listen in to my conversation with Dr. Wolfram Tetzlaff, the director of ICORD. Dr. Tetzlaff has been involved in the SCI community for many decades and shares the transformations he has seen throughout his career. Later in the episode, Dr. Tetzlaff explains his research on rodents and how changing diet is showing significant recovery. I hope you enjoy the episode and be sure to like and subscribe.

Listen in to my conversation with Teren Clarke, the director of SCI Alberta. Ms. Clarke was initially a nurse, and wanting to do more, got involved with the SCI community. She works closely with the provincial healthcare to secure more resources for the SCI community. SCI Alberta works on community integration and getting patients back to their lives. A very fascinating conversation, enjoy.

Listen in to my interview with Ms. Susan Howley. Ms. Howley is the director of research at the Reeve Foundation. She has been with the foundation since it's beginning, and has years of experience in the spinal cord injury community. Ms. Howley and I discuss the history of spinal cord injury research as well as the changes that are starting to take route in modern rehabilitation centers. Ms. Howley also explained the research projects the Reeve foundation is working on, including epidermal stimulation.A wonderful discussion on the future of spinal cord injuries with someone who has decades of experience in this community. I hope you enjoy.

I wanted to post this to give a more in depth background of me, my injury, and why I started Connecting the Resilient. A couple people have requested this so hear it is. I talk at length about my goals with Connecting the Resilient, and why this podcast needs to get out to recently injured patients.Hope you enjoy and tune in again Saturday!

Listen in as I talk with Roy Tuscany and Steve Wallace. Roy and Steve both suffered spinal cord injuries and have had amazing recoveries from them. A few years after his injury, Roy started the High Fives Foundation that funds SCI athletes to get back to what they love doing. Steve was the first grant recipient of High Fives. There are now over 150 recipients. Roy and Steve give invaluable advice and recommendations on getting through a spinal cord injury. For more information visit their website at highfivesfoundation.org I hope you enjoy the episode.

Mike, a professional freestyle skier, broke his neck in 2013. Four years later, Mike is walking, running, and skiing again! Mike tells us how, "we each have a choice, our attitude," and talks at length about the power of attitude in recovering.Mike is now working on a program for coaches and athletes to raise awareness about the errors that lead ot injuries. Check his work out at www.headstartpro.com. If you have any questions for Mike or would like to reach out to him, visit his website at www.mikeshawski.com

Physical therapist Christy Hill has worked with spinal cord injuries and other nerve injuries for over 20 years.She initially gained inspiration from her father who, after receiving a SCI, persevered and proved his doctors wrong.Christy shared stories of the many amazing recoveries she has experienced and what she has taken away from them.A wonderful interview, it was very interesting to hear Christy's thoughts on the future of research and rehabilitation.

Justin PInes, an avid runner, ran in the NYC marathon in 2015. Five months later Justin broke his back becoming largely paralyzed from the chest down. Justin, never giving up hope, is racing in the NYC marathon again, two years later, in a wheelchair. Justin's story is one of the power of determination and grit.