The QuadCast

On the latest episode of the QP, I am joined by Hashim Garrett. We met a few years ago at Kessler Institute For Rehabilitation, and I have always been impressed, not only by how approachable he is on a number of topics/issues, but also by how well dressed he is EVERY time I see him! He makes us all look ordinary, in fact.Today Hashim shares his journey from growing up in Brooklyn, to his life-changing spinal cord injury, the result of gun violence. We reflect on the influence of family and friends, the challenges of coping with his injury, and his founding of Wisdom and Understanding LLC. Hashim is a motivational speaker, an author, a member of the Kessler Foundation team, and an all-around great guy! His positive attitude, coupled with an emphasis on the power of forgiveness and resilience, is infectious as you will soon find out.TakeawaysFamily and friends played a crucial role in Hashim's recovery and adjustment to life after the injury.Coping with the mental and emotional impact of the injury was a significant challenge for Hashim, leading to a journey of self-discovery and healing.The founding of Wisdom and Understanding LLC was a result of Hashim's work in preventing spinal cord injuries and addressing violence in inner-city communities. Forgiveness and resilience are powerful tools for healing and overcoming adversity.Support and resources for individuals with spinal cord injuries are essential for navigating the challenges of daily life.Chapters00:00 Growing Up in Brooklyn05:14 The Day That Changed Everything20:47 Recovery and Coping25:21 Founding Wisdom and Understanding LLC26:31 Journey to Motivational Speaking27:30 The Power of Forgiveness31:18 Authoring 'How to Fall Up'37:33 Role at Kessler Foundation45:20 Aspirations and Future Endeavors

Maureen Pfeiffer has worked at Kessler Institute For Rehabilitation for 42 years... that's 2,191 weeks. Monday, July 20, she'll begin her 2,192 and final one on the job.I met Pfeiffer "the lifer" :-) in 1993, about 6 months after my injury, and we've been friends ever since. She's been a constant positive presence in the outpatient gym for so long, that I can't imagine what it will be like without her uber bright highlighter pen pink, purple, yellow, blue, etc., matching shirt and sneaker combinations moving forward. What I can imagine however, is how happy she will be babysitting her new granddaughter, continuing her long walks, spending time gardening, and of course with her family.On behalf of all the patients you worked, pushed, prodded, implored, celebrated, and laughed with over the years, Maureen, I say thank you, we love you, and we wish you nothing but the best in this next chapter of your life!

In this latest episode of the 4 Men and a SCI podcast, the boys cover the challenges and impact of the summer's heat on individuals with spinal cord injury. It includes personal encounters, the importance of education and preparation for the issue, understanding autonomic dysreflexia's effects and much more. In fact, there's even have a reference to the great 80's brief ensemble/band, the Power Station!TakeawaysHeat management for individuals with spinal cord injury is crucialThe impact of heat on individuals with spinal cord injury is significant Heat management is a critical concern for individuals with mobility impairments.Planning and preparation are essential for staying safe in hot weather.Chapters00:00 Strategies for Managing Heat and Staying Cool in Hot Weather50:16 Closing Remarks and Invitation to Engage

This episode is a first for me here at The QuadCast. It features an "actual long time listener" of this podcast, one who understands exactly what living with a spinal cord injury is like.I had the absolute pleasure speaking with Richie Redsicker, learning all about him, his injury, remarkable family, and his life in general. I know you will enjoy getting to know him as much as I did! Speaking of which, you can do that even more by reading his blog, A Lifetime Of Miracles: Living With Injury.If there are more of you out there, listening to the pod, who would like to join me for an episode, please reach out, I would love to meet you/share your story.TakeawaysChildhood interests and experiences shape characterResilience and determination are key to overcoming adversityChapters00:00 Childhood and Sports06:00 Motor Vehicle Accident12:05 Rehabilitation and Recovery17:54 Life After Injury23:03 Challenges and Adaptation39:26 Writing and Reflection46:51 Summer Plans

Matt and Jen Hellstern are my guests this week on the QP. Find out how a seemingly innocuous fender bender one day on the way to work changed their entire family's life forever! They share their personal experiences of navigating a new normal following Matt's SCI. From the confusion of how it all came to be, to hours and hours of PT and OT, his participation in numerous clinical trials, and more.You will hear what an amazingly resilient family unit they are, and how along their journey, they founded the Rise Through Resilience Foundation. RTRF exists to expand access to high-quality rehabilitation, equipment, education, and clinical support for individuals living with spinal cord injuries and other neurological illnesses or injuries. Through partnerships with evidence-based care such as Adaptletics, they aim to ensure that more people receive the kind of care that changed their lives—and that more families experience the hope and progress they were lucky enough to find.TakeawaysImportance of family supportAdvocacy for spinal cord injury awareness and research Family support is crucial in the recovery journey.The Rise Through Resilience Foundation aims to bridge the gap in access to recovery resources.Recovery is a journey without a fixed timeline, and small improvements are worth celebrating.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background06:07 Spinal Cord Injury14:29 Support and Advocacy20:25 Advocacy and Awareness26:02 Support and Family Involvement31:24 Resilience and Recovery44:10 Looking to the Future

Cristina CortezAuthor, Poet, Independent Researcher, Advocate & Speaker Cristina Cortez is a first-generation Latin-American BIPOC author, poet, memoirist, disability advocate, public humanities educator, and interdisciplinary scholar whose work explores the intersections of disability, identity, memory, mythology, travel, literature, and cultural inheritance through poetry, memoir, hybrid nonfiction, and public scholarship.She holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing & Poetics from the University of Washington Bothell and a Bachelor of Arts in English, Creative Writing & Literature and History from Hofstra University, where she graduated with Highest Honors with Distinction.Cortez is the author of Poems from the Road: A Travelog Renga in Haiku, Haibun, and Senryū (2025), a multilingual literary project influenced by Japanese linked-verse traditions, literary journaling, and travel writing; the bilingual poetry collections As I Am / Soy como soy (2023) and Yo Soy, Yo Vivo (2022); and Tawantinsuyu: Poems of the Time of the Inca(2020).Her creative and advocacy work centers disability not as tragedy or limitation, but as culture, embodiment, lived experience, and human identity. Through her writing, public speaking, and interdisciplinary work, she bridges literary art, disability justice, education, accessibility, and cultural memory.Her essays, poetry, and advocacy writing have appeared in literary journals, anthologies, disability publications, and public humanities platforms, including I Come From the World Literary Journal, La Guagua Poetry Anthology, the United Spinal Association blog, New Mobility Magazine, and the Central American arts and culture magazine Tres Mil.As a speaker and advocate, Cortez has participated in literary events, conferences, podcasts, cultural programs, and disability leadership initiatives focused on accessibility, education, writing, representation, and public advocacy. She completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) fellowship program at Boston Children’s Hospital Institute for Community Inclusion as a self-advocate fellow.Her leadership and advocacy affiliations include the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, the United Spinal Association Tech Access Group, Mass Families for Change, LifeCourse Nexus, and other disability and public leadership initiatives.In 2025, Cortez received a grant award from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in recognition of her literary and interdisciplinary creative work.Multilingual in English, Spanish, and Italian, Cristina Cortez continues to develop a distinctive literary and public voice situated at the intersection of memoir, disability justice, interdisciplinary humanities, and cultural experience.For more information, visit www.cristinacortezauthor.com  or follow @cristinacortezwrites.TakeawaysCerebral palsy and its impactFamily support and influenceMental navigation and challenges in schoolWriting, advocacy, and 'Poems from the Road' Disability experience and storytellingImpact of technology on communicationChapters00:00 Introduction and Spinal Cord Injury05:58 Childhood and Family Support11:53 Navigating School and Challenges21:03 Impact of Social Interactions27:03 Writing, Advocacy, and Interdisciplinary Research32:01 Authoring 'Poems from the Road'58:18 The First Thing to Do If Able-Bodied

SummaryIn this heartfelt interview my guest, Steve Zutty shares his inspiring journey through spinal injuries, rehabilitation, and the importance of resilience, family, and community support. You'll hear how he navigates life's challenges with humor, determination, and a positive outlook. You're going to LOVE Steve, this is a fun episode!TakeawaysImportance of long-lasting friendships and family supportChallenges and experiences of rehabilitation and recovery Perseverance and acceptance are key to overcoming physical limitations.Gratitude for relationships and support is essential for coping with life-changing circumstances.Chapters00:00 Welcoming Steve Zutty05:16 Importance of Friends and Family11:28 Health Challenges and Medical Interventions17:22 Rehabilitation and Recovery23:23 Returning Home and Adapting29:29 Medical Treatments and Future Plans36:26 Imagining Life Without Limitations

The boys are back! John McAleavey, Barry Munro, and Sasha Rabchevsky, (3 Men & A SCI), are thrilled to have Dr. Trevor Dyson Hudson, Director of The Center For Spinal Cord Injury Research, Kessler Foundation join the band for a frank discussion on the alarming lack of knowledge in SCI care among emergency room personnel, and medical professionals in general. We highlight the challenges faced by those of us living with spinal cord injury, underscoring the importance of advocacy, education, and preparedness for the community and their loved ones.TakeawaysLack of Knowledge in Spinal Cord Injury CareChallenges in Advocacy and CommunicationImpact of Medical Training on Spinal Cord Injury Care Advocacy and education are crucial for raising awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with spinal cord injuries.The perception of worth and the treatment of patients with spinal cord injuries can be influenced by societal biases and stereotypes.Chapters00:00 Personal Experiences in Medical System and Advocacy25:58 Perception and Worth in Healthcare33:11 Preparedness and Advocacy for SCI Patients38:28 Centralization of SCI Data and Resources

Ian Mackay is my guest on the latest edition of The QuadCast. He chronicles his journey from growing up in beautiful San Diego county to how he endured his life-changing cycling accident.In spite of his SCI, Ian has truly made his mark on the world. You'll learn how he worked with Apple on their iPhone's voice recognition system, which not only impacted his independence and connection to nature, but opened amazing opportunities for the entire disabled community.He battled years of depression until finding a way to get outside again. Ian began traveling bike paths in his local area of Port Angeles, WA and kept going just a little farther. In 2016 he rode his power wheelchair across the state of Washington from North to South. The 2016 Ride garnered a great deal of media attention, and Ian became a spokesperson, encouraging the mobility challenged to get outside and advocating for outdoor accessibility - complete, connected trails and routes for ALL abilities. Ian's Ride was born, and today his non-profit has many events on their schedule.TakeawaysAdaptation to life-changing circumstancesImpact of mobile technology on independence Accessibility technology empowers independenceOutdoor adventures for people with disabilitiesCommunity impact of nonprofit organizationChapters00:00 Introduction and Childhood05:59 Hobbies and Cycling Accident12:12 Rehabilitation and Mental Health18:00 Mental Struggle and Recovery25:53 Working with Apple on Accessibility Technology32:07 Creating a Nonprofit Organization and Community Impact

The latest episode of The 3 Men & A SCI Podcast has dropped. In this edition, John McAleavey, Barry Munro, and Sasha Rabchevsky, had the pleasure of speaking with Matthew Roderick, Executive Director of The Unite 2 Fight Paralysis Foundation.Their conversation delves into the SCI landscape, the impact of advocacy and activism, understanding the difference between the two, engaging the SCI community in advocacy, and the importance of data and statistics in driving change and policy decisions. They discuss the issue of data inaccuracy in public health and highlight the need for more accurate and comprehensive data to address the challenges faced by the SCI community. Also emphasized is the importance of community engagement and informed hope in spinal cord injury research and advocacy.TakeawaysAdvocacy vs. ActivismThe Need for Data and Statistics Data InaccuracyCommunity EngagementChapters00:00 Introduction to Unite to Fight Paralysis Foundation07:44 Impact of Advocacy and Activism18:23 Engaging the SCI Community in Advocacy25:48 The Importance of Data and Statistics30:58 Data Inaccuracy and Public Health45:03 Informed Hope and Community Engagement

Kenny Salvini is my guest on the latest edition of the QP. Following his spinal cord injury, the result of a skiing accident, he took six years to process his new life/situation. However, meeting a fellow quad, one who had been injured for many years and was married, showed him what was still possible. Kenny is now married himself, has a young daughter, and is the cofounder of the Here and Now Project. Their mission is to connect and empower people living with spinal cord injuries and other mobility disabilities in the Pacific Northwest.I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Kenny better, and I think you will too.TakeawaysActive ChildhoodImpact of Spinal Cord InjuryRecovery and Rehabilitation Community SupportEmpowermentChapters00:00 Childhood Adventures and Activities08:31 The Life-Altering Accident18:05 Recovery and Rehabilitation Journey25:07 Journey of Empowerment38:01 Events and Fundraisers44:49 Personal Reflections and Future Plans

The latest episode of the QP features an amazing young man, Owen Weiss. He is a wheelchair athlete, educator, and storyteller, whose life changed after a rare spinal Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) led to three spinal surgeries. He recovered fully from the first two, but following the third (after walking himself into the operating room), he woke unable to move his legs, and with major loss of sensation from the waist down.Today, Owen is an active wheelchair tennis player, a paraprofessional working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, and the creator of his signature speech "You Always Have a Choice", where he shares the mindset and lessons he developed while rebuilding his life after paralysis. Owen's story offers a meaningful foundation for conversations about resilience, adaptation, independence, and personal agency in the face of sudden change.TakeawaysSpinal Cord InjuryMedical Journey Sensory perception differences in individuals with spinal cord injuriesChallenges of transitioning from inpatient care to home life Impact of language deprivationTransition to wheelchair tennisAdaptive sports programs and scholarshipsFuture goals and aspirationsChapters00:00 Introduction and Mutual Friend05:09 Inclusivity and Sign Language11:14 Return of Symptoms and Third Surgery16:20 Complexity of Spinal Cord Injury22:25 Hospital Stay and Sensory Experience29:00 Impact of Age on Rehabilitation Experience35:49 Perspective Shift and Return to Education41:26 Discovering the Role of a Paraprofessional52:11 Adaptive Sports Programs and Scholarships

Terry McGhee's life has been defined by service; service to his family, his fellow soldiers/officers, and his country. He was kind enough to chronicle all of this and much more in the latest episode of the QP.You'll learn about Terry's childhood and upbringing, his career in the NYPD, involvement in counterterrorism operations, and the life-changing spinal cord injury he sustained during a deployment overseas. Terry highlights his journey of recovery and rehabilitation, his return to work, his role in a significant investigation and conviction, retirement and family life.TakeawaysDedication to service and communityTransition from military service to law enforcementImpact of injury on life and perspective Recovery and rehabilitation are aided by strong support systems.Returning to work and the support received are crucial for individuals recovering from injuries.Investigative work and convictions play a significant role in law enforcement and justice.Retirement and family life bring new challenges and opportunities for individuals.The hypothetical scenario of being able-bodied again reveals personal desires and aspirations.Chapters00:00 The Evolution of Service06:59 Boxing and Physical Strength14:55 Career in the NYPD19:58 Counterterrorism Operations and Injury27:59 Recovery and Rehabilitation34:14 Returning to Work and Support41:53 Investigation and Conviction47:27 Retirement and Family Life

Vanessa Osman is a voice-over artist, actress, model, writer, peer-mentor, quadriplegic, and my guest ,on the very first episode of 2026. She is a dynamo, I can't wait for you to hear her story!  

The boys are back! Barry Munro, John McAleavey, and Sasha Rabchevsky, three men with over 100 years of lived experience with spinal cord injury, have teamed up to share our knowledge on all things SCI related. Today's episode is dedicated to bladder management. We chronicle how each of us manages our situation (they're completely different), while also highlighting areas of need, concern, hope, and progress on the horizon, regarding this extremely important topic for the entire community.

Welcome to 3 Men & A SCI — where lived experience challenges convention, and science meets reality. We’re Barry Munro, John McAleavey, and Sasha Rabchevsky — three men living with chronic spinal cord injury, and who’ve spent decades immersed in the world of SCI: as researchers, advocates, educators, and survivors. This podcast was born from a simple truth: those living with SCI are too often talked about — but rarely listened to. We’ll explore real-world issues: the good, the frustrating, the unspoken. From acute trauma to chronic care. From bladder and bowel management to the everyday realities of spasms, pain, and pressure sores. We’ll discuss strategies — not just symptoms — and invite second opinions where the system shuts doors. We’re here to talk with you — not at you. To inform, not dictate. And most of all, to bring the spinal cord injury community back to the center of its own story. On this our very first episode, we will take you through… A day in the life. 3 men with 3 completely different approaches to their day; and yet somehow through it all, we get the job done!

So, how many of you out there are the subject of an Amazon Prime Docuseries? Me neither. My guest today, Torsten Gross is, and on today's episode of the QuadCast, you will hear all about it. He is a motivational speaker, brand ambassador, husband, dog dad, chief marketing officer, mountain biker, scuba diver, racecar driver, and did I mention C6 quadriplegic? As if that weren't enough he is also the co-founder of the Just Hands Foundation, which introduces adaptive athletes to performance driving and mountain biking. I caught up with Torsten during an extended pit stop, and our conversation is one you will not soon forget.

I had the wonderful opportunity of speaking with Maggie Goldberg, President and CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, for this week's episode of The QuadCast. Following a C2 injury at 16 years old, one that she fully recovered from thank goodness, Maggie seemed destined to work on behalf of the paralysis community. She started at the Reeve Foundation in 2000, and has held numerous positions over the years: Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Vice President of Policy and Programs, Chief Operating Officer, and in September, 2021, was chosen from a field of more than 200 candidates, as the President and Chief Executive Officer. Maggie, and her team, carry on Christopher's mission of curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. Today's Care. Today's Cure! I so appreciated Maggie's time, and the tireless work she and the Foundation continue to do on behalf of the SCI community. I hope you will enjoy getting to know her in this episode, and that you'll learn something new from it as well. As always, thank you for listening!

Erawadi Singh grew up sleeping on a sofa in the living room of her family's one-bedroom apartment in one of New Jersey's most difficult neighborhoods. Determined to give back, she would complete her schoolwork on the floor of her parents' bedroom, earning academic scholarships for higher educational pursuits while working to contribute to school tuition and helping care for her grandmother as she suffered from Alzheimer's dementia. Era earned a fine arts degree from Emerson College in Boston, where she graduated with honors, and then pursued her lifelong interest in medicine. She studied at Touro College (graduated with honors) and then took up residency at the University of Virginia, where she was chief resident and a finalist for the Medical Society of Virginia's doctor of the year in her final year. From there Era went to Yale University, where as a Geriatric Psychiatry fellow she was elected to represent members in training for the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatrists. Unfortunately, her efforts were sidelined by sustaining a thoracic level incomplete spinal cord injury on her graduation day! I had the great pleasure of meeting Era, and her AMAZING parents, at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation last year. I'm thrilled that she has joined me, to tell us the rest of her story. So without further ado, I am proud to present, A Whole New Era…

Stacey Frigerio Mahdavian graduated from UMass Amherst in 1989. She planned to work as a camp counselor that summer and then travel a bit. Unfortunately, life had another idea. On a gravel road in the middle of nowhere Wyoming, the car in which she was riding, fishtailed and then flipped four times. In between the third and fourth flip, she was thrown 100 feet from the car and sustained a spinal cord injury at L1 and L2. At the time she was told she would never walk again, nor be able to have children. In this week's episode of the QuadCast, Stacey tells us about her remarkable journey, which has had many twists and turns. Over the years, she has worked as an assistant district attorney in the Brooklyn district attorney's office, worked at a private law firm, become an advocate for the SCI community with United Spinal Association and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, and more. Most importantly/impressively, she will participate in November's New York City Marathon in a handcycle with a guide runner… who just so happens to be her 25-year-old daughter, Anastasia (the oldest of her 3 children)! Stacey is the personification of resilience, and you will hear that loud and clear in our conversation!

Ian Ruder, editor-in-chief of New Mobility, is a writer, editor, connector, who prides himself on bringing a well-rounded, people-first approach to all of his work. As the Editor of New Mobility, he works to ensure the voice of people with mobility-related disabilities are authentically represented in all of their content. A wheelchair user himself, he's a passionate advocate for the community who draws great plesasure from meeting and working with his fellow wheelchair users. Ian loves to eat and cook (in that order) and he embraces his nerdy side with a lifelong passion for Star Wars and a rediscovered adult love of Legos. The avid San Francisco Giants fan also happens to be my guest on this week's episode of the QP.

Imagine being on vacation in a foreign country, having an amazing time sightseeing, trying new foods, and immersing yourself in the culture. Then in a split second, everything changes and you are a C-6 quadriplegic. Well, that is exactly what happened to my guest this week, Laura Taylor, following an automobile accident in Spain. Her injury has certainly not stood in her way however, as she is thriving today. Laura creates weekly educational disability content to align with community culture on her YouTube channel, and array of social media platforms. She is also the Co-Founder of The 10% Community, a social platform built by and for the disability community! As you can imagine, we have much ground to cover. If you wish to find out even more about Laura, please access her YouTube channel, and social media platforms via the following links below. You can also reach out to her at the included email addresses. 10% Contacts: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thetenpercentapp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetenpercentapp TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetenpercentapp?_t=ZP-8uhq8TEAZ2c&_r=1 Email: [email protected] 10% Support Email Contact: [email protected] Laura's Contacts: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@lauraktaylor17 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraktaylor17 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraktaylor17?_t=ZP-8uhqGcicOnH&_r=1

When Jenny Smith was 16 years old, she sustained a C6-7 spinal cord injury, leaving her paralyzed from the chest down. After completing her master’s degree in counseling psychology, she distributed wheelchairs for eight years in developing countries. For over 13 years, she supported cross-cultural workers as they served overseas By coming alongside people with spinal cord injuries and chronic physical conditions, Jenny hopes to support and encourage others in their emotional, physical, and spiritual health as they adapt to life with a disability. Jenny was my guest in season 1 of The QuadCast (S1 E21 - Jenny Smith Rolls On), and since then she's continued her tireless work on behalf of the SCI community. We have kept in touch over the years, and last week recorded this episode to highlight among many things, her series of online group meetings where people with disabilities can find/get support for the emotional impact of a disability. The Journey digs deep into such topics as: reflecting on your story, navigating the journey of grief, experiencing change and transition, coping with stress and trauma, and finding meaning and purpose in life again. There's a lot in show and I hope you'll find it beneficial. Thank you for joining me again Jenny, and keep up your great work!

Karen Olson is the founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless and low-income families. Her organization has trained and mobilized over one million volunteers over the past thirty years to provide services to homeless families. Olson has received many awards for her remarkable social service contributions, including the 1992 Annual Points of Light Award from President George H. W. Bush. On this brand new installment of the QP, among many things, Karen talks about how Family Promise started, her new book, Meant For More - Following Your Heart And Finding Your Purpose, and the spinal cord injury she endured (the result of a freak accident). Karen is selfless, and compassionate, and determined, and inspirational, and if you haven't figured out by now,... My guest this week! ;-)

M.B. Paradise has always been a fan of stories, Santa, and the beach… so combining the three made perfect sense. A chance encounter on the beach with her children over 10 years ago with a man who looked like Santa Claus gave her the idea to one day write a book. As it were however, life got in the way and the idea was put on the back burner until, she discovered that Eric LeGrand was opening a coffee shop. M.B. had always been inspired by his positivity and fortitude following his spinal cord injury, and felt that if he could open his own business, then she had to "stop talking and start DOING", and that meant finishing her Beach Santa book. ​ As an independent author, M.B. knew it would be important to tie Beach Santa to something bigger than itself. Her humble hope is to share the story, promote children’s literacy, advocate for disability inclusion in children’s books, encourage writers of all ages, AND make a significant contribution to the SCI community. In fact, 25% of Beach Santa profits will be donated to Team LeGrand, which is dedicated to supporting the over six million people living with paralysis through quality-of-life initiatives and supporting research for spinal cord injuries. M.B. has climbed in the Rockies, barely survived two NYC marathons, currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and three daughters, and is my guest on this week's episode!

Have I got big news for you on the first episode of 2025... The QuadCast has officially spawned another exciting and informative podcast! Yes, and on today's episode, I interview my co-contributors in this new venture, the "3 Men And A SCI" Pod. Below are very brief bios of both amazingly accomplished gentlemen. I look forward to working with them on this exciting venture, and hope you'll join us for the ride! Barry Munro is a quadriplegic who sustained a spinal cord injury in 1987, and has been an active advocate in SCI research for over 37 years. He is the chief Development Officer of the Canadian/American Spinal Research Organization, which was established in 1984 to fund targeted research to maximize functional recovery and cure paralysis caused by spinal cord injury. Barry also currently holds the position of Treasurer for the North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium, a community led organization which has the mission to bring about unified achievements in research, care, cure, and policy by supporting collaborative efforts across the spinal cord injury community. At the age of 19, Alexander “Sasha” Rabchevsky was a strong safety on the Hampden-Sydney College, VA football team when a motorcycle accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. Sasha transformed that turn of events into a career searching for ways to repair spinal cord damage and improve the lives of those living with spinal cord injury (SCI). Since 2002, Sasha has been a faculty member of the Department of Physiology at the University of Kentucky and core member in the Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC). Not only will you find out more about Barry and Sasha, but what we hope to accomplish with our platform.

On July 8, 2004 at the age of 18, weeks away from beginning his freshman year at Georgetown University, Taylor Price was involved in a catastrophic accident while vacationing with his family on Long Island. After diving into the ocean and hitting an unforeseen sandbar, he was instantly rendered a C5-C6 quadriplegic. Even though many people said it would be impossible, he proudly graduated cum laude from Georgetown in the spring of 2010, after double majoring in finance and marketing, and being one of the most "active" people on campus! Think that's impressive? It's just the beginning of his remarkable and inspirational journey. Taylor is my guest on this week's episode. Trust me, this is one you will not want to miss!

Gabriel Rodreick, whose stage name is Freaque, is a multidisciplinary artist from Minneapolis, MN. He injured his C5 vertebrae in a diving accident at the age of 15 in 2008. He has been living with quadriplegia ever since. Gabriel’s music, dance, poetry, and visual art has been his way of learning how to live in a new body post injury. His dark, dank, and dirty artistic voice tells stories of life blooming in the shadows. If his last name sounds familiar it's because his father, Matthew, Executive Director of Unite 2 Fight Paralysis, joined me for an episode earlier this year. Gabriel is talented and thoughtful and brave, and he happens to be my guest this week. To find out more about this true Renaissance man, and how to download his music, you can find him on all of the streaming sites and social media (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, @freaquedom, gabrielrodreick.com).

The True Grit Spinal Cord Injury (TG SCI) program is a post-acute, community-based, rehabilitation program that aims to provide hope, healing, and inspiration to adolescents and young adults aged 16-21 with SCI. As a collaborative effort between Rutgers University and RWJ Barnabas Health Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH), the long-term goal of the TG SCI program is to develop a comprehensive community reintegration pathway for young adults with SCI, supporting them throughout the transition to adulthood by single day events, community building, and a residential summer camp each year. On this week's episode of the QP, I had the opportunity to speak with Kassandra Boyd, and Keara McNair. Both are occupational therapists by trade, and have been with TG SCI from day one. I was blown away by how comprehensive their program is, and I think you will be too! Please stay tuned to the very end, for a special public service announcement regarding the John McAleavey Jr. Fund.

Have I got a show for you this week! Matthew Rodreick & Jason Stoffer, co-hosts of the CureCast Podcast, are my guests. You'll hear about how spinal cord injury found its way into their lives, the work they do for and with unite2fight paralysis, and how through advocacy, education, and support for research, they continue to push for a complete and total cure for paralysis. I really enjoyed getting to know them, and I think you will too!

WAGS of SCI was founded by Elena Pauly and Brooke Pagé in Vancouver BC Canada. Both Elena and Brooke's partners had sustained recent Spinal Cord Injuries and the women felt very alone in their new lives as girlfriends and caregivers of men with sudden, life changing injuries. After a chance meeting over Instagram, they soon realized they lived just blocks away from one another. Upon developing a friendship and relishing in their newfound sisterhood, the women decided that they never wanted another woman in their shoes to feel alone again. They began WAGS of SCI by starting an Instagram account in November 2017 and hosting events around their city - and the rest is history. Elena and Brooke were kind enough to join me for this week's episode of The QuadCast.

32 and counting! I upload today‘s edition of the podcast on August 19, 2024, exactly 32 years to the day that my life changed forever. To commemorate the somber milestone (injurversary) this year, I invited accomplished occupational therapist, and good friend, Denise Diessner, to join me in studio. I hand her the keys to the show, and she questions me for a change. I hope you’ll enjoy the: “I’ll get by with a little help from my friend interview/tribute to over 3 decades of perseverance", episode of the QP. Thank you for doing this Denise, you are a natural (rockstar)!

Louise Phipps Senft is a force of nature! She has excelled at the highest levels as an attorney, an author, a professor, fellow podcaster, and following her son Archer's 2015 spinal cord injury, an amazing advocate for individuals with SCI and their families. After having spent many months in ICUs and around her son's hospital bed, Louise realized that most hospitals in the US do not have Spinal Cord Injury expertise, most families do not have mediation skills which are essential for navigating complicated health care, and most doctors are not trauma informed. So, as she has done her whole life, Louise rose to the occasion! She founded the 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Integrative Center for Trauma Healing, Advocacy, and Transformation, IC THAT, d/b/a Blink of an Eye™, in 2021 to fill the gap for more relational and trauma informed responses for SCI families in crisis bringing them cutting edge SCI medical expertise as well as hope, emotional and spiritual support, and navigation how to’s. Blink of an Eye™ is training medical teams from the inside out through the families served. Blink of an Eye™ public charity exists for those who know how life can change in the blink of an eye. Their mission is to transform the spinal cord injury experience for families and medical teams into an Extraordinary Experience, despite the devastation, in the first days and months of injury. Louise and I had a wide-ranging and candid conversation last week. I believe this episode will make you think long and hard about your life, and that of your loved ones and friends, because as we all know, it can change in the blink of an eye!

This week's edition of The QuadCast tackles the very important topics of dating, relationships, sexuality and disability, or three things I know next to nothing about, and one that I have 33 years of experience with. :-) Luckily my guest, Dr. Danielle Sheypuk, holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The New School for Social Research in New York City. Dr. Sheypuk is widely regarded as a "sexpert" and leading commentator on the psychology of all these topics for people with disabilities. She established a successful and innovative private therapy practice in 2016 that was one of the first to implement “telehealth” as a treatment platform, which she engineered specifically to make it easier for people with disabilities to attend sessions. Today she was kind enough to join me here on the QP for one of them. So, with a footnote to Salt-N-Pepa's 1991 hit song: Let's Talk About Sex, dating, relationships and disability!

Good things do come to those who wait! When I launched The QuadCast 4 years ago, I had a list of dream guests. High profile folks who didn't know this little engine that could even existed, and yet I held out hope. At the top of that list was Marc Buoniconti, and today he's here! Persistence pays off my friends. Following Marc's SCI in 1985, his father Nick set out to conquer paralysis with the same ferocity as he did quarterbacks and ball carriers over his 15-year Hall Of Fame NFL career. It was then that he and world renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Barth Green, came together and founded The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Since then, research at The Miami Project has changed the landscape of knowledge and therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. In our wide ranging conversation, Marc shares stories about growing up around the Miami Dolphins, and such great players as Paul Warfield, Bob Griese, and Larry Csonka. He recants in great detail the weeks, days, and moments leading up to his injury, and he praises the amazing father he loved and admired. Today as the President of The Miami Project, Marc proudly continues the yeoman's work his father and Dr. Green began 38 years ago. This episode has it all, and I can't wait for you to hear it! Thank you Marc!

Breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out... You are doing so right now without even thinking about it. Unfortunately, for some individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries, the ability to breath on their own is compromised, if not impossible. Enter Synapse Biomedical, and its NeuRx Diaphragmatic Pacing System, which is specifically designed to decrease the reliance on mechanical ventilators for such people. This week's episode of the QuadCast features Andrea Osborn, Clinical Specialist for Synapse Biomedical, who will tell us all about the device, and Karen Mills, who has been breathing easier with the aid of it for years now following her SCI in 2019.

The date was June 20, 1991, Ryan Baker and his family set out on a long drive from Temecula, California, to their new home/life in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. They had bought into the Häagen-Dazs ice cream franchise which was based there. As if that wasn’t cool enough, the night before Ryan had just graduated from high school. Unfortunately, his journey to the Centennial State was about to take a whole bunch of unsuspected twists and turns, and I'm not talking about on the highways. In just over two months, he will have been living with his spinal cord injury for 33 years. Over that time he has discovered a unique, and profound perspective on what recovery from SCI means to him: “For me it is not walking again. It is getting back to center with your self, spirit, and soul, contributing, working, finding relationships, engaging with other people, just really trying to participate in life again. We have to allow ourselves to mentally, emotionally, and spiritually get back to that sense of belonging and self-worth. That to me is recovery.” Among the many amazing things he has accomplished in over those 3 decades, Ryan is also the co-founder of Wheelchair Lacrosse USA (wheelchairlacrosse.com), director of sales & marketing for Vapor Wheels, and represents/sells Kinetic Balance’s adaptive clothing line intended for wheelchair users, through his website, Twisted Spine. It was my pleasure to meet/speak with Ryan on the latest episode of the QuadCast.

As someone recording a podcast aimed at, and for the benefit of the spinal cord injured community, I wasn't sure if I was alone in this lane. Well, it turns out there are a number of us out there doing just the same, one of which is Jerimie Dixon. He was still in high school when he was in a catastrophic car accident that caused his SCI and subsequent paralysis. Jerimie and some great friends founded The Live to Walk Again Foundation in 2015, to among other things: fast track a cure for paralysis, and to find new ways to improve the quality of life for patients currently living with it. In an effort to do just that, The Live To Walk Again Foundation’s podcast was born! Jerimie spotlights patients with SCI's, life hacks for paralysis victims, and researchers and doctors who are currently seeking a cure for it. Two podcast worlds collide on this week's episode of the QP, because Jerimie Dixon is my guest.

In January 2015, Jesi Stracham was the passenger on a motorcycle when it collided with a car. She woke up a week later in an intensive care unit without the use of her legs secondary to a spinal cord injury. Today she strives to help patients become people. She is the founder of Wheel With Me Foundation, the owner of Wheel With Me Consulting, and a fitness and growth coach. Through her struggles, and large social media footprint (Instagram, YouTube, etc.), she works for teaching individuals the power of our mindset. I'm thrilled because Jesi is my guest on this episode of the QuadCast.

Nick LiBassi had a great childhood growing up in Bergen County, New Jersey. He enjoyed playing many different sports and being outside with his family and friends. Remember, there were no cell phones to monopolize our time back in the day after all. Having watched and learned a great deal from his grandfather and uncle, who were carpenters, he knew early on that a life in construction and carpentry was in the cards. That is until life dealt him another hand. Nick is my guest this week, and his story is unlike any I've had the pleasure of highlighting. "From a great fall to the highest of heights", is an episode you will not want to miss!

Since 2014, Nikki Walsh has been helping others become the best version of themselves! In 2018, a car crash left her paralyzed, but in no way has it stopped her from pursuing her career goals. Nikki is a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and wheelchair user. She works with fellow wheelchair users, and non-disabled individuals, to get stronger, learn how to effectively work out in their wheelchairs, lose weight and be as independent as possible. Nikki took some time out of her extremely busy schedule to join me on the 1st episode of the QuadCast in 2024. Thank you my friend, and keep up your great work!

Touchdown Aaron! In my capacity as the Peer Mentoring Coordinator at Kessler Institute For Rehabilitation, I have had the opportunity to meet many people. Over my three years on the job however, Aaron Van Trease, and the tremendous strides he's made in recovery, has stood out above them all. His story is remarkable. It is one of football, family, friends, faith, and above all, FORTITUDE! Aaron was kind enough to carve some time out of his busy therapy schedule to join me on this week's episode of the QuadCast. Prepare to be inspired folks because the young man is amazing!

August 19, 2023 marks exactly 31 years for us on the SCI magical mystery tour. In honor of that, I thought I'd channel my inner Casey Kasem and spin some records that have, for one reason or another, stood out for me along the journey. So many songs to choose from over 3 decades, but I narrowed it down to 9. Because it has been anything but a stroll in the park, some of the songs/messages are a little heavy. The lyrics however speak volumes to, and in some cases, for me, I even chose one towards the end which pokes a little fun at me and my plight. So, grab a snack and turn your volume up, because S4 E9 - 31derful is on...

My fellow SCI survivor and thriver, Tracey Iraca, is back! Yes, she's here to tell us how she's making out these days. As you'll recall, on her last day as an in-patient at Kessler Institute, Tracey joined me to tell her story (S3 E8). It was late December 2022, she was eager to return home, but had some concerns as well. In a new format for me/us here at the QuadCast, the "New Tracey" chronicles the next step in her journey... returning to home, work, LIFE, albeit as a different person physically and mentally. We cover a lot of ground and nothing was off limits. Thank you Tracey, I'm so proud of you. Keep pushing my friend, your human spirit has a lot more in store for you!

Amanda Parezo is currently an assistant professor and academic fieldwork coordinator for the Occupational Therapy department at Thomas Jefferson University. Having graduated from TJU's OT program in 2010, she worked clinically for over 10 years, specifically with older adults and those with traumatic brain injuries. Unfortunately, on May 19, 2021, she was the victim of a random act of gun violence while sitting in a Philadelphia playground. In an instant Amanda was paralyzed from the waist down due to the bullet. Imagine the irony that the owner of a masters and a doctorate in OT, was now herself in need of occupational therapy services. Amanda's is a story you will want to hear for yourself. Lucky for you, she's my guest on this week's QuadCast.

Jen French is a very busy woman! She is an author/publisher, paralympian, public speaker, sailor, super advocate, founder of the North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium, Neurotech Network, and more. As if that were not enough, she is also my guest on this week's edition of the QuadCast! Following her spinal cord injury in a 1998 snowboarding accident, Jen has been paying it forward for the SCI community in a myriad of meaningful ways. How so you ask? Well, you'll have to listen and find out.

It is with great pride that I post this week's episode of The QuadCast. My guest is Dan Rose, a veteran who was paralyzed from the waist down when an IED destroyed the truck he was riding in in Southern Afghanistan (2010) This would not have been possible were it not for the help of two very kind, good people, Martha MacCallum and Christopher Meek. Ms. MacCallum is host of "The Story With Martha MacCallum" on Fox News Channel, and Meek is co-founder and chairman of SoldierStrong, a charitable organization which provides revolutionary technology, innovative advancements and educational opportunities to veterans to better their lives and the lives of their families. Thank you Martha and Christopher for your assist/introduction, and thank you Dan for your time and your service!

Mark Fuglevand founded Abilitease a few years ago with the vision of developing product solutions for individuals with disabilities. He makes products that not only help people become more independent, but makes them appealing and not institutional. Mark is married, has two boys, and lives in Southern California. Did I mention he is also a C-5 incomplete quad? Well, if that wasn't enough, Mark is my guest on this week's QuadCast.

At 27, Kelsey Peterson dove into Lake Superior, off the shores of Wisconsin, and emerged paralyzed. Suddenly living a new life, the former dancer struggled to redefine who she is while adapting to life with a disability. Kelsey is a smart, very deep thinker and I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with her, about among other things, her autobiographical film Move Me. In the documentary, that took 5 years to film, she chronicles her journey in a very raw, frank and beautiful way. Needless to say, Move Me moved me so much that I had to have her on to tell me/us all about it.

I had the absolute pleasure speaking with Jerod and Hanna Nieder for this week's episode of the QuadCast, and I think after our hour-long conversation you will love them as much as I do! The Nieders story is really 3 in one. What began as the result of a tragedy (Jerod's SCI), has through the life they live helping others in the community (Jerod's work in spinal stimulation trials and Hanna's peer mentoring of patients and their families), become one of inspiration. Ultimately this is a love story because the Dynamic Duo, whose initial relationship was caregiver for patient, are today husband and wife! Treat yourself, this is one of my best/favorite shows!