by Kim Anderson, PhD It can be scary to think about navigating various transportation options while living with a spinal cord injury (SCI), but getting out of your home can lead to some really wonderful life experiences.  Start with small steps and build your confidence with each experience.  The first step is learning about all...Continue Reading

By Megan Hammond Nechols If you do have access to a private car, truck, van, or other vehicle (we will use ‘car’ for this article), the possibilities are endless. Traveling by car offers freedom and flexibility, but it can also present unique challenges for those living with spinal cord injuries. Ensuring comfort, safety, and accessibility...Continue Reading

A spinal cord injury research conference was held in June of 2024 in Washington, D.C., for experienced and new data collectors and managers of research hospitals located throughout the United States.  The Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS), along with The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) and the National Institute on Disability, Independent...Continue Reading

The Model System Knowledge and Translation Center (MSKTC) is a national center that helps facilitate the knowledge translation process to make research meaningful to those with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Burn Injury. In the past, we featured the Factsheet of Living with an SCI.  This time, we wanted to feature a source...Continue Reading

If you or someone you know has a disability, it’s crucial to remember that the equipment we rely on may not last forever. A breakdown or malfunction can leave us without the means to stay active and independent.  This is why having an emergency back-up plan for all your important devices and supplies is not...Continue Reading

The MetroHealth Adaptive Life Technologies (ALT) Lab promotes clinically-guided, peer-informed, and community-collaborative assistive technology provision to individuals living with SCI throughout Northeast Ohio. exposes patients to a wide variety of technologies to meet clinical goals beyond those targeted in traditional rehabilitation including home automation, environmental control, computer access, and adaptive gaming — among others. a...Continue Reading

The Model System Knowledge and Translation Center (MSKTC) is a national center that helps facilitate the knowledge translation process to make research meaningful to those with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Burn Injury. In previous articles, we have featured the Factsheets on Autonomic Dysreflexia, Managing Pain, Wheelchair Information, and more.  The next resource...Continue Reading

Women living with spinal cord injury (SCI) are a special population representing the intersection of gender and disability.  Spinal cord injury can impact all aspects of one’s life: medical and care needs, education and employment, psychological health, and social life.  These impacts can be layered upon identities that bring life meaning: partner, colleague, friend, child,...Continue Reading

Mary Jo Roach, PhD As part of the SCI Model System grant, MetroHealth led a research project looking at blood alcohol levels at the time of a traumatic spinal cord injury and functional outcomes. The project was a collaboration with four Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems; Harvard University, University of Pittsburg, The Ohio State University...Continue Reading

The Model System Knowledge and Translation Center (MSKTC) is a national center that helps facilitate the knowledge translation process to make research meaningful to those with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Burn Injury. In previous articles, we have featured the Factsheets on Autonomic Dysreflexia, Managing Pain, Wheelchair Information, and more.  The next resource...Continue Reading