Spinal Cast

Jack Jablonski has a tattoo on his forearm, it reads: “I understand my injury. I don’t accept it.” That should give you some insight as to who he is and how he perceives the future. In this episode of Spinal Cast, we have a candid conversation as Jack reflects on the past 13 years. We discuss his injury, experience with the SpineX SCONE spinal electrical stimulator, and his decision to come out as a gay man. We also explore his current role with the LA Kings, love of hockey, and the inspiring work of his foundation. Jack’s determination is undeniable. Through raising awareness and staying true to himself, Jack’s voice resonates with anyone facing adversity, reminding us all of the power of resilience and being our true selves. Jack’s full bio and more information about the Jack Jablonski Foundation, BEL13VE in Paralysis Recovery can be found here: https://mcpf.org/jack-jablonski/ Or here, www.jablonskifoundation.org Thanks again Jack for being our guest on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Welcome to the latest episode of Spinal Cast, where we discuss the often over looked challenges of air travel, particularly for those with disabilities. In this segment, Ian Ruder, Editor-in-Chief of New Mobility, shares shocking stories of air travel. You’ll discover the alarming lack of industry training for individuals with paralysis as well as the handling of essential equipment like wheelchairs. Ian also offers practical tips for smoother travel and highlights positive changes, including Delta’s wheelchair-friendly seating prototype and ongoing federal efforts to amend the Air Carrier Access Act. Join us for a discussion on the path towards a more accessible and inclusive air travel experience for everyone. More information about Ian and New Mobility can be found using the links below: New Mobility - https://newmobility.com/meet-the-team/ United Spinal - https://unitedspinal.org/ Injury - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-0mbh7Di-w Ian’s Bio: Ian Ruder is the Editor-in-Chief of New Mobility, the longest-running, most-trusted magazine and web site for active wheelchair users (newmobility.com). A quadriplegic himself, Ruder joined the New Mobility team in 2011 when the magazine was purchased by United Spinal Association, a non-profit focused on mobility-related disability. Prior to working for New Mobility, he worked as a freelance journalist in the Pacific Northwest. When he is not working to promote authentic voices and stories from the disability community, he can likely be found enjoying the culinary delights in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, or rooting for his San Francisco Giants. Thanks again Ian for being our guest on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) for someone with quadriplegia? In this episode of Spinal Cast we sit down with Kortni Hollingsworth and Sarah Hollowell. Little did they know when they applied and got hired to be Peter Morton’s personal care assistants. Through their lighthearted telling, Kortni and Sarah offer a candid look into the rollercoaster of emotions and responsibilities that come with the role of PCA. From heartwarming moments that created strong bonds to tough situations that demanded resilience, they share it all. It easy to see how the relationships they formed were more than a contractual client/PCA relationship … a deep friendship was forged, more like being part of the Morton “family.” Whether you’re curious about the intricacies of the PCA profession or wonder about the realities faced by individuals living with paralysis, this episode is a compassionate and eye-opening discussion about the PCA experience. Bios for Kortni and Sarah below: Kortni Hollingsworth - Kortni is an Emergency Room Registered Nurse. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing while attending Arizona State University. Kortni’s ER career began in Dallas, TX at a Level One Trauma Center, and she currently works in Austin. Kortni loves the fast-pace, high intensity work environment of the emergency room. In her spare time, Kortni enjoys running, spending time with friends and family, and hanging out with her two pups, Dublin and Finley. Sarah Hollowell - Sarah is a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse in Austin, TX. She grew up in Gila, AZ and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. After graduation Sarah moved to Austin, TX. She loves working in the NICU and couldn’t imagine working with any other patient population! When not working Sarah enjoys traveling the world, reading, and enjoying good food and wine. Thanks again to Kortni and Sarah for being our guests on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

In this episode of Spinal Cast you’ll meet the compelling Peter Morton, Executive Director of the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund (MCPF). He’s more than a leader; he’s an open book sharing his knowledge, experience and unfiltered honesty. Get ready for a deep conversation with the man behind the mission. And, if you’re meeting him for the first time, you’ll soon understand why he’s a man many admire. We’ll unravel Peter’s personal story, from the circumstances surrounding his injury to the inception of MCPF. We’ll also discuss the impact MCPF is making in the field of spinal cord injury and what the future may hold. But what truly sets this episode apart is the candidness with which Peter discusses his life as a quadriplegic on a ventilator. He meets his situation head on and shares the often dark and difficult places where ethical conflicts arise. A spinal cord injury has a ripple effect on family and friends, the daily mental and physical strain takes a toll. What is remarkable is the grace and purpose Peter found in having control over his own situation. Be inspired, moved and above all, in awe as Peter’s extraordinary story unfolds. This episode is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of finding purpose even in the face of immense challenges. Thanks for all that you do, Peter! Thanks again to Peter for being our guest on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Identical twin brothers, David and Jason, led fairly ordinary lives in New York City until a life-changing event on April 17, 1999. David broke his neck in Mexico just before starting his MBA program at Stanford University. During that time Jason was already two years into medical school at Columbia University. After a long recovery David finished his MBA at Stanford and these two brothers became a force in spinal cord injury research. Today, David is Chief Growth and Innovation Officer of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH,) passionately raising funds and awareness for our biggest health challenges. Let’s call David the money guy. Dr. Jason Carmel, on the other hand, serves as Director of the Movement Recovery Laboratory at Columbia University, Irving Medical Center where he focuses on innovative therapies using electrical stimulation of the brain and spinal cord. Jason’s the science guy. By combining their skill sets these two brothers make a formidable team - a dynamic duo. Their story is one of optimism and a shared goal: pursuing, advocating and fundraising for new and innovative therapies for those dealing with paralysis. These guys are on a mission! Find current bio information for David & Jason below: David Carmel https://fnih.org/press-release/the-fnih-appoints-david-carmel-as-chief-growth-and-innovation-officer-2/ Dr. Jason Carmel https://www.weinberg.cuimc.columbia.edu/research/movement-recovery-laboratory Thanks again to David & Jason for being our guests on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Everyone has a story, but Nick LiBassi’s is truly remarkable! In 1996, at age 26, Nick endured a horrific skydiving accident. Surviving the accident is almost unimaginable but what’s even more significant is what Nick has done with his life since that day. In this episode of Spinal Cast Nick shares with great honesty the challenging journey from injury and rehab to transitioning mentally and physically to a life that is something different than he originally imagined. As Nick states, “The people we encounter in our lives matter.” Because of Nick’s lived experience with spinal cord injury he is a vital voice in many capacities … fundraising, sitting on various boards and committees, and a professional business career. He’s worked at Johnson & Johnson, helped lead a team within an international executive search firm, transitioned to United Spinal Association to establish their Partnership Expansion strategy, and currently works with Mobius Mobility where he is head of sales for the iBOT PMD (an amazing machine!) And, that’s not the complete resume. Nick has also has a history in local government as Municipal Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Police Commissioner and Fire Commissioner. Obviously, Nick practices what he preaches… “Don’t sell yourself short – go do it.” Nick’s full bio can be found here: https://mcpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/NicholasLiBassi_Bio.pdf Mobius Mobility/iBOT: https://mobiusmobility.com/ Thanks again to Nick for being our guest on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

At MCPF we talk a lot about our global approach to spinal cord injury research and how it takes a lot of time. During this episode of Spinal Cast Helen-Marie Dunmore, Principal Scientific Advisor with Charles River Laboratories, United Kingdom shares some insight on why it takes so long and how their work is critical for safe and reliable therapies for those affected by spinal cord injury. We discuss the role of regulation, new drug trials, blood brain barrier, data sets, pre-clinical testing, animal models, functional methods, collaboration, and standardization – just to name a few of the challenges. We also hear about the promising therapeutic targets that Helen-Marie is especially excited about; protection and regeneration of neurons, tissue repair, cell and gene-based therapies. Yep, it all takes time, a lot of time, and money. The work that Helen-Marie and others at Charles River do is behind the scenes but without it we would not have the data or safety measures in place that guarantee advancement in the scientific field of spinal cord injury. Thanks for your devotion and work! A detailed bio for Helen-Marie Dunmore can be found at the link below: https://www.criver.com/about-us/about-us-overview/our-employees/employees/helen-marie-dunmore-ert Charles River Laboratories: https://www.criver.com/ Thanks again to Helen-Marie for being our guest on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

“Dad, I can’t feel my toes.” Learning you are paralyzed isn’t just an adjustment for the injured individual, it’s an adjustment for the entire family. This episode of Spinal Cast shares the story of a family living in Milbank, South Dakota finding a new normal after their beloved daughter/sister, Becky is injured in a car accident. Three sisters; Becky, Bernadette and Bridget, all teenagers at the time, discuss the ripple effect the accident had on their family and how they all discovered things about themselves in the process. This is a candid conversation about a shared journey. It wasn’t what they wanted or expected but working through the trauma with love, patience, acceptance, and some humor it’s easy to understand why these sisters have an impenetrable bond. All three sisters are “adulting” now with professional careers, their bios follow. Becky Walker: Becky is Director of Retail Branches for TruStone Financial Credit Union. She was injured in a car accident when she was 15 which left her paralyzed from the waist down. Becky and her husband, Chad, love spending time outdoors. Their favorite recreational sport is SCUBA diving. Bernadette Finken: Bernadette is Head of Talent and Acquisition for Best Buy Co. Inc. She is married and a mother of three. When not working she is making memories with her family by attending sporting events and enjoying their lake place in the summer. Bernadette was 16 at the time of Becky’s accident. Bridget Peters: Bridget is an RN in the ICU at United Hospital. She is a social butterfly! In her free time, she loves to travel, hike, spend time with her friends and family and spoil her adorable dog, Teddie. Bridget was 13 when Becky was injured. Special thanks to Becky, Bernadette and Bridget for being our guests! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

The definition of the word “determined” is missing something, it’s Mike Utley. Thirty-two years after an NFL career ending spinal cord injury Mike continues to motivate and advocate for those living with paralysis. He is one of those individuals who deals with adversity better than most and has an irrepressible outlook on life. This episode of Spinal Cast covers his injury, recovery, and personal journey living with paralysis. Next time you use that “thumbs up” emoji here’s hoping you think of Mike. His message and his work are inspiring! The Mike Utley Foundation - https://www.mikeutley.org/ Thank you again to Mike Utley for joining us on today's episode! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

A tour de force, a dynamic duo, a powerful pair … somehow these phrases are not adequate when describing the incredible work of Dr. Grégoire Courtine and Dr. Jocelyn Bloch. Their remarkable discoveries in the field of spinal cord injury are bringing treatments to the forefront - using a brain-spine interface to facilitate movement for those living with paralysis. With the help of their dedicated team of scientists, what we once hoped for is now a reality. This is exciting stuff. Prepare to be amazed! Dr. Jocelyne Bloch is a neurosurgeon at the University Hospital Lausanne, Switzerland, also known as CHUV, where she leads the Functional Neurosurgery Unit. Dr. Grégoire Courtine is a neuroscientist with a background in physics. Both Dr. Bloch and Dr. Courtine are professors within the NeuroX Institute of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), within the Neurosurgical Department of CHUV, and at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lausanne (UNIL). They co-founded the Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies, named NeuroRestore, which they lead together as Co-Directors. NeuroRestore is a research, innovation, and treatment center that develops and applies bioengineering strategies involving neurosurgical interventions to restore neurological functions. https://www.neurorestore.swiss/ In 2014, Dr. Bloch and Dr. Courtine also co-founded ONWARD Medical with the aim to translate the neurotherapies developed at NeuroRestore into clinical treatments. Dr. Courtine is Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of ONWARD Medical N.V. (Euronext: ONWD). https://www.onwd.com/ They are recognized worldwide for their conception of neuroprosthetic implants that restored walking in people with chronic paralysis, the results of their research have been published in numerous articles by science and nature journals, and broadly publicized in print and broadcast media across the world. Thank you again to both Dr. Bloch and Dr. Courtine for joining us for today's episode! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

This episode of Spinal Cast features the extraordinary world of emergency services and two heroes who save lives every day. Dr. Gregg Jones and Dr. Aaron Robinson are EMS Physicians with Hennepin County Emergency Medical Services. They share valuable insights into their challenging field of work and discuss the causes of many critical calls, including those that result in spinal cord injury. Learn some life-savings tips and discover how you can be a hero too in those critical moments when experts are not immediately available. Gregg A. Jones, MD Dr. Gregg Jones currently serves as Medical Director of Public Safety and Special Operations at Hennepin EMS, EMS Fellowship Program Director, Assistant Medical Director, Hennepin Emergency Medical Services, and Medical Director for Minneapolis Fire Department. Dr. Jones also serves as Medical Director for MN Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team. He completed medical School at Oregon Health and Science University and Emergency Medicine Residency training at Hennepin County Medical Center in 2018 and EMS fellowship in 2019. Prior to going to school, Dr. Jones served in the US Army, which included two combat tours to Afghanistan. His current medical interests include medical directing for large-scale events, mass casualty incident planning, paramedic education, provider wellness and the interface between prehospital medicine and law enforcement. Aaron Robinson, MD, MPH Dr. Aaron Robinson is an Emergency Medicine and EMS Physician at Hennepin County Medical Center and Hennepin EMS in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is indigenous and from the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin. He attended undergrad at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh before earning his MD at University of Wisconsin. He also earned an MPH from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Robinson completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center and stayed to complete a fellowship in Prehospital (EMS) Medicine. His professional interests include out of hospital cardiac arrest, critical care, and health disparities. Thank you again to both Gregg and Aaron for joining us on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Today we welcome the one and only Dr. Brooke Ellison to the podcast! In September 1990 Brooke was hit by a car on her way home from school. She was 11 years old. The accident left her paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator. In 2000, ten years after her accident, she graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University. She gave a commencement address which was covered extensively by media outlets around the world, including the TODAY Show and New York Times. Since her graduation from Harvard, Brooke has worked as a public speaker, delivering a message of hope, motivation, and strength in the face of obstacles. In 2002, she published her first book, Miracles Happen, which was subsequently made into a movie, The Brooke Ellison Story, directed by Christopher Reeve. Brooke continued her education and graduated from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government with a Master’s degree in Public Policy. In 2006 she ran for New York State Senate. She also founded The Brooke Ellison Project, a nonprofit organization advocating for stem cell and biomedical research. Today Dr. Ellison is Associate Professor at Stony Brook University. Interested in learning more? Check out the links provided below: Learn more about Dr. Ellison’s incredible efforts https://www.brookeellison.com/ The Pillars of Hope, TEDxSBUWomen https://youtu.be/hA28_fd5e1A The Brooke Ellison Story (2004), based on the book Miracles Happen: One Mother, One Daughter, One Journey written by Brooke and Jean Ellison (2002), directed by Christopher Reeve https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407612/ Look Both Ways, Dr. Ellison’s most recent book https://www.brookeellison.com/look-both-ways Thanks again to Dr. Ellison for joining us on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Meet Wendy Crawford – she’s working for equal and accessible healthcare for women with disabilities and she’s doing it with a unique medium - the arts. Wendy was injured while driving to the airport for her first international modeling contract at the age of 19. Struck by a drunk driver she was rendered quadriplegic. Growing into womanhood with a disability, Wendy noticed a lack of available information for women with disabilities. As a result, she has devoted her life to raising awareness of the particular issues that women with physical disabilities face – especially in healthcare. Wendy has developed many empowering initiatives. She’s a TEDx speaker, developer of mobileWOMEN.org, an online magazine for women in wheelchairs - now a Facebook Group. She is co-founder of Raw Beauty Project, an innovative art platform that celebrates women with disabilities to empower, educate and inspire change. And, the latest initiative Raw Beauty Project Health, focuses on the disparities in healthcare that women with limited mobility experience, in part due to healthcare inaccessible examination and diagnostic equipment as well as lack of professional training and education. Learn more about Wendy’s meaningful work via the links below: Solving the Beauty Equation/Wendy Crawford/TEDxTraverseCity https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=CL92XcGQrLg&feature=emb_logo Raw Beauty Project Health http://www.rawbeautyprojecthealth.com/ UnstopABLE: Portrayals of Women with Disabilities Advocating for Equality in Healthcare https://www.rawbeautyprojecthealth.com/exhibit Raw Beauty Project Health – Resources https://www.rawbeautyprojecthealth.com/resources Raw Beauty Project https://www.rawbeautyproject.com/ mobileWOMEN (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/257147710969355 Thanks again to Wendy for joining us on the podcast today! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

We are honored to have Dr. Jennifer Morgan joining us for today’s episode! Dr. Morgan is a Senior Scientist and Director of the Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, MA. She received her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Duke University, where she worked on mechanisms of neurotransmission. She then carried out her postdoctoral studies on membrane trafficking in the Cell Biology Department at Yale University. In 2007, Morgan joined the Section of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology at The University of Texas at Austin as an Assistant Professor where she expanded her research program to include spinal cord injury and regeneration mechanisms. Dr. Morgan received her first research grant from the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund, which eventually led to a Research Project Grant (R01) from the National Institutes of Health that is now in its 11th year of funding. While at UT-Austin, Dr. Morgan received several prestigious awards, including a University of Texas Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award (2011) and the Janett Trubatch Career Development Award from the Society for Neuroscience (2011). In 2012, Dr. Morgan was recruited to the MBL’s Bell Center to expand her research program in regenerative biology. She continues to study the mechanisms of neurotransmission under both normal conditions, as well as with spinal injury and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Morgan is currently one of the co-directors of the NIH-funded courses at the MBL called “Frontiers in Stem Cells and Regeneration”, and she is a standing member on the NIH Neuronal Communications Study Section. Throughout her career, Dr. Morgan has dedicated her efforts to mentoring students and postdocs and advancing diversity and inclusion in the STEM sciences, and she is actively involved in the MBL Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, which she chaired for the last 3 years. Marine Biological Laboratory: https://www.mbl.edu/ Many thanks to Dr. Morgan for her work and for being our guest on today’s episode! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

In today's episode we sit down with Matthew Rodreick, Executive Director of Unite 2 Fight Paralysis (U2FP). Matthew became an advocate and activist on behalf of the SCI community after his son became quadriplegic from a spinal cord injury in 2008. With a background in healthcare management and community organizing his skills were instrumental in passing the SCI/TBI Research Grant Program in 2015. That success led to establishing and leading Unite 2 Fight Paralysis’ Cure Advocacy Network (successfully passing similar legislation in PA, WA and OH) until being hired as Executive Director in 2017. Rodreick is responsible for management and operations of U2FP’s initiatives, staff and mission to expedite cures for paralysis. Roderick has delivered presentations on SCI advocacy strategies at The National Institutes of Health, National Neurotrauma Society, American Spinal Injury Association, Society for Neuroscience as well as other institutions and organizations across the United States and Canada. Unite 2 Fight Paralysis: https://u2fp.org/ As mentioned in the podcast, here is a link to Gabriel Rodreick (aka Freaque). Gabriel is a talented musician and songwriter whose music is a raw and honest telling of life with a spinal cord injury: https://gabrielrodreick.com/ Thank you again to Matthew for joining us on todays episode! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

In this episode we sit down with the inspiring, Bryon Riesch! In 1998, as a college freshman, Bryon Riesch suffered a severe spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed from the chest down with very limited use of his arms. Despite his injury, he graduated from Marquette University in 2002. He currently is part owner of R&R Insurance, where his responsibilities include investigating and implementing new ideas and technologies. He is also one of the founders and serves as President of the Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation (BRPF). Dedicated to finding a cure for paralysis, the BRPF provides funding for the latest in medical research and provides assistance to those that suffer from neurological disorders. In addition to the BRPF, Bryon serves or has served on the Presidential Advisory Board for Carroll University, the Marquette College of Health Sciences Leadership Council, the Neurological Advisory Board at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Advisory Board for the Waukesha Community Foundation. He has also been involved in Goodwill Industries where he received the Goodwill International Graduate of the Year Award. He has been recognized by Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin with their Hope & Spirit Award and given an honorary doctorate in 2011. Finally, Marquette University honored him with the Spirit of Marquette Award in 2018. Learn more about the amazing work being done by BRPF here: https://brpf.org/ Thank you again to Bryon Riesch for joining us on Spinal Cast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Today we welcome the incredible duo of Jenni & Lori Taylor to the podcast! Due to a car accident on November 1, 2002, Jenni experienced a C-1/C-2 spinal cord injury. She is paralyzed from the neck down and breathes using a ventilator. Despite her disability, Jenni is incredibly positive and believes that all things happen for a reason. Following the accident, Jenni created a blog to update people on her life and hopefully help others. If you are interested in taking a closer look, we encourage you to check out the link below! "Positivity overpowers my disability I’m like a word on a piece of paper I hear the ocean waves crash against rocks I see the sun setting on a windy day I want to do more than I need and need more than I want I venture towards those in times of trouble" - Jenni Taylor http://thesitethatbreathes.blogspot.com/ Thank you again to Jenni & Lori Taylor for joining us on Spinal Cast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

We are excited to present Part 2 of our conversation with the joyful and enthusiastic, Tiffiny Carlson! Tiffiny Carlson is a C6 quadriplegic from Minnesota. She was injured in a diving accident in 1993 at 14 years old. Helping others with spinal cord injuries has been her passion since her accident. She began mentoring other women with SCI in 1996 while in high school, then became a disability writer while attending Augsburg College, graduating with her BA in 2001. She worked as the "SCI Life" columnist for New Mobility magazine from 2003 – 2017 after graduation. Tiffiny's work has been featured in dozens of publications since 1999, beginning with the pioneering disability site, Halftheplanet.com, and more recently the Huffington Post. In 2010, she began blogging for SPINALpedia, a nonprofit that helps those with new spinal cord injuries, then became their executive director in 2013. In her free time, Tiffiny enjoys cooking, adaptive yoga (she was featured in adaptive yoga videos from Mind Body Solutions), traveling and adaptive skiing. She lives in New Brighton, Minnesota with her fiancé Kevin. No wedding date set. Tiffiny’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffcarlson/ SPINALpedia: https://spinalpedia.com/ Life After Paralysis Podcast: https://anchor.fm/life-after-paralysis We'd like to offer a special thank you to Tiffiny for her involvement with Spinal Cast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

In today’s episode we are joined by the incredibly talented and enthusiastic Tiffiny Carlson! Tiffiny Carlson is a C6 quadriplegic from Minnesota. She was injured in a diving accident in 1993 at 14 years old. Helping others with spinal cord injuries has been her passion since her accident. She began mentoring other women with SCI in 1996 while in high school, then became a disability writer while attending Augsburg College, graduating with her BA in 2001. She worked as the "SCI Life" columnist for New Mobility magazine from 2003 – 2017 after graduation. Tiffiny's work has been featured in dozens of publications since 1999, beginning with the pioneering disability site, Halftheplanet.com, and more recently the Huffington Post. In 2010, she began blogging for SPINALpedia, a nonprofit that helps those with new spinal cord injuries, then became their executive director in 2013. In her free time, Tiffiny enjoys cooking, adaptive yoga (she was featured in adaptive yoga videos from Mind Body Solutions), traveling and adaptive skiing. She lives in New Brighton, Minnesota with her fiancé Kevin. No wedding date set. Tiffiny’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffcarlson/ SPINALpedia: https://spinalpedia.com/ Life After Paralysis Podcast: https://anchor.fm/life-after-paralysis We'd like to offer a special thank you to Tiffiny for her involvement with Spinal Cast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

We proudly present Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Ann Parr from the University of Minnesota! Dr. Parr received both her undergraduate degree and medical degree from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. She then completed her PhD studies in neural stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury during neurosurgical residency at the University of Toronto. During this time she was affiliated with the Institute of Medical Science and the Clinical Investigator Program. She then received further training in complex spine at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL. After her training Dr. Parr came to the University of Minnesota where she is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, as well as the Vice Chair of Research, Medical Director for Spine, Neurotrauma Systemwide Program Lead, and Principal Investigator of the Parr Lab at the Stem Cell Institute. She is Past-Chair of both the Minnesota Neurosurgical Society and the Section for Women in Neurosurgery, a Joint Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Parr is a Board Certified Neurosurgeon and interested in finding new therapies for spinal cord injury. She is also a faculty member in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience and the Stem Cell Institute. Dr. Parr's research centers on transplanting neural stem cells grown from a patient's own skin into the injured spinal cord. She has an active translational research laboratory, and is interested in examining mechanisms of functional recovery using techniques such as histology and immunohistochemistry, cell culture, optogenetics and animal modeling. Special thanks to Dr. Ann Parr for being our guest! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience! Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/ Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/ Thanks for listening!