Tag: peer support

Building An Inclusive World that Empowers People with Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders in Reaching Their Full Potential

United Spinal Association has reached a historic milestone as it celebrates 75 years of providing people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) valuable programs and services that maximize independence and quality of life.

The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group (SCISG) Women’s Chapter vision is to provide a forum where members discuss female specific topics and share ideas to help those participating achieve a greater sense of self. Additionally, we make an effort to plan fun monthly activities of which all are welcome to participate as they desire.

After Elena Pauly’s boyfriend sustained a spinal-cord injury in 2016, she turned to Google for guidance on how to navigate the challenges of her new role as both a romantic partner and caregiver.

Her search: “My boyfriend sustained a spinal cord injury. Now what?” didn’t turn up anything useful. It was a couple of weeks after her partner, Dan Duffy, was injured, and Pauly was feeling alone and isolated, with no one who understood the unique position she found herself in.

Mandurah mother-of-two Tayla Stone said if she could send a message to her teenage self, it would be that things are going to be okay.

Sustaining a life-changing spinal cord injury in a dirt bike accident at just 16 years old, she found herself facing a confusing and unknown future.

But after tackling all the challenges the situation threw at her, Ms Stone will now use her experiences to support other people who find themselves in the position she was once in.

Following a spinal cord injury, people may feel a wide range of emotions including anger, confusion, sadness, shock and frustration.