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Paralysis and Spinal Cord Injury Medical Expert Interviews

Medical specialist videos answer essential questions on paralysis and spinal cord injury

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We interviewed top spinal cord injury medical experts and asked the questions that people want answers to right away. We started with “Spinal Cord Injury 101” and went on to cover sex and fertility issues, pressure ulcers, hospital transitions and how to cope. Our experts also explain the most important steps in rehabilitation and outline the psychological and physical problems after spinal cord injury and paralysis that both patients and families must face. Pediatric experts discuss spinal cord injuries to children.

Spinal Cord Injury Basics
 
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In Spinal Cord Injury Basics, (19 Q&A videos) Dr. David Chen explains how the spinal cord works, the meaning of spinal cord injury levels and describes treatments, surgery and recovery. Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers) (24 Q&A videos) are serious infections which affect two out of three people with spinal cord injuries; Mary Ziegler explains their causes, treatments and prevention. Kim Eberhardt Muir draws on decades of experience to answer questions about how to make the Transition from Hospital to Home (15 Q&A videos) the importance of physical therapy and rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation pioneer Kristine Cichowski talks about Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Basics (14 Q&A videos). 

Sex and Fertility
 
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Nurse Practitioner Specialist Diane Rowles (23 Q&A videos) gives detailed straight answers to questions about Sex and Fertility after a spinal cord injury.  She discusses sexual function, common psychological obstacles for men and women and managing sexual expectations. She discusses male sexual dysfunction, child birth and managing male fertility.

Emotional and Social Adaptations
 
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Emotional and social adaptations (9 Q&A videos) after a spinal cord injury can be even harder than physical recovery. Adapting to a New Spinal Cord Injury (12 Q&A videos) is a multifaceted processes. Interviews with psychologists and social workers examine how to adapt to Social Life in a Wheelchair (11 Q&A videos) how Family Life Changes (15 Q&A videos) after a spinal cord injury and how Peer Counseling (11 Q&A videos)–connecting with others living with spinal cord injury—can help. Taking Control of Your Life (12 Q&A videos) after a spinal cord injury, an interview with Dr. Guy Fried, has wise insights.

Pediatric Spinal Cord Injuries
 
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Specialized information is necessary to understand spinal cord injuries to children. In Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury Basics (11 Q&A videos) Dr. Lawrence Vogel provides a detailed introduction to the fundamentals of children’s injuries. Guidelines to Child Development (18 Q&A videos) and Individualized Rehabilitation (31 Q&A videos) after a spinal cord injury, and information on how Family Life (12 Q&A videos) usually changes help parents deal with an injured child.

Rehabilitation Therapies
 
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We interviewed a group of  21 national experts. There are sections on Psychological Adjustments after a spinal cord injury, Occupational Therapy techniques, Social Worker assistance, Physical Therapy and Sports and Recreation

Topics

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Spinal Cord Injury Basics
David Chen, MD
Medical Director, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Preventing Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers)
Mary Zeigler, MS
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Transition from Hospital to Home
Kim Eberhardt Muir, MS
Program Specialist, Spinal Cord Injury Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Adapting to a New Spinal Cord Injury
Robin Dorman, PsyD
Clinical Health Psychologist, Northwestern University Medical Center, Chicago
Sex and Fertility After Spinal Cord Injury
Diane M. Rowles, MS, NP
Nurse Practitioner, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
How Family Life Changes After Spinal Cord Injury
Nancy Rosenberg, PsyD
Psychology Clinical Specialist and Director, Peer Mentor Programs, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Philadelphia
Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Basics
Donald Peck Leslie, MD
Medical Director, Shepherd Center, Atlanta
Adjusting to Social Life in a Wheelchair
Lisa Rosen, MS
Educational Program Manager, Life Center, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Physical Therapy After Spinal Cord Injury
T. George Hornby, PhD, PT
Research Scientist, Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Taking Control of Your Life After Spinal Cord Injury
Guy W. Fried, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Philadelphia
Mental Health After Spinal Cord Injury
Allen Heinemann, PhD
Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago
Peer Counseling After a Spinal Cord Injury
Julie Gassaway, MS, RN
Director Health and Wellness, ‎Shepherd Center, Atlanta

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Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury Basics
Lawrence Vogel, MD
Medical Director, Spinal Cord Injury Program, Shriners Hospital for Children, Chicago
Pediatric Rehabilitation After Spinal Cord Injury
Sara Klaas, MSW
Director, Spinal Cord Injury Service, Shriners Hospital for Children, Chicago
Guidelines for Child Development After a Spinal Cord Injury
Patricia Mucia, RN
Nurse Care Coordinator, Shriners Hospital for Children - Chicago
Family Life After a Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury
Dawn Sheaffer, MSW
Social Worker/Director of Social Services, Shriners Hospital for Children, Philadelphia

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Psychological Adjustments to a Spinal Cord Injury
Heather Taylor, PhD
Psychologist/Director of Spinal Cord Injury and Disability Services, TIRR Memorial Hermann - Houston
Psychological Adjustments to a Spinal Cord Injury
Jonathon Rose, PhD
Psychologist/Director Spinal Cord Injury, Outpatient Psychologist, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA
Psychological Adjustments to a Spinal Cord Injury
Laura Tuck, PsyD
Psychologist, Memphis VA Medical Center
Psychological Adjustments to a Spinal Cord Injury
Lester Butt, PhD
Psychologist/Director, Psychology Department, Craig Hospital, Colorado
Psychological Adjustments to a Spinal Cord Injury
Michelle Meade, PhD
Psychologist, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Psychological Adjustments to a Spinal Cord Injury
Samuel Gordon, PhD
Psychologist, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington, D.C.
Psychological Adjustments to a Spinal Cord Injury
Sigmund Hough, PhD
Neuropsychologist/Spinal Cord Injury Service, VA Boston Healthcare System
Psychological Adjustments to a Spinal Cord Injury
Terrie Price, PhD
Neuropsychologist/Director of Neuropsychology and Family Services, Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City, Missouri
Psychological Adjustments to a Spinal Cord Injury
Toby Huston, PhD
Psychologist, Craig Hospital, Colorado
Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Basics
Kristine Cichowski, MS
Founding Director, Life Center, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Occupational Therapy after Spinal Cord Injury
Anne Bryden, OT
Occupational Therapist/Research Manager, Case Western University, Cleveland
Occupational Therapy after Spinal Cord Injury
Katie Powell, OT
Occupational Therapist, Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee
Occupational Therapy after Spinal Cord Injury
Mary Jane Mulcahey, PhD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist/Professor of Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
Occupational Therapy after Spinal Cord Injury
Sarah Harrison, OT
Occupational Therapist, Craig Hospital, Colorado
Social Worker Assistance After Spinal Cord Injury
Kathy Hulse, MSW
Social Worker/Outpatient Counselor, Craig Hospital, Colorado
Social Worker Assistance After Spinal Cord Injury
Marguerite David, MSW
Social Worker, Seattle, Washington
Social Worker Assistance After Spinal Cord Injury
Patti Rogers, SW
Social Worker/Executive Director, Arkansas Spinal Cord Injury Commission, Little Rock
Physical Therapy after Spinal Cord Injury
Elaine Rogers, PT
Physical Therapist, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle
Physical Therapy after Spinal Cord Injury
Isa McClure, MAPT
Physical Therapist, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, New Jersey
Physical Therapy after Spinal Cord Injury
Laura Wehrli, PT
Physical Therapist/Supervisor, Spinal Cord Injury Unit, Craig Hospital, Colorado
Sports and Recreation After Spinal Cord Injury
Jennifer Piatt, PhD
Recreational Therapist/Graduate Program Coordinator, School of Public Health, Indiana University
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