In this final episode, we hear two powerful perspectives on life with spinal cord injury: growing up with SCI and parenting through a child’s injury in the teenage years.

Carolyn Emeny, mother and entrepreneur, reflects on her family’s journey after her son sustained a spinal cord injury at 17. She speaks openly about the trauma of those early days, the value of mentoring programs like We Care and the resilience, skills and self-care practices that have been essential in her family navigating the associated challenge and change.

Closing the series, Susan Wood, SpineCare Director who has lived with SCI since a birth injury, shares her story of independence. From growing up in a regional community to achieving milestones like driving and building a career, Susan highlights the triumphs and challenges along the way and the vital roles of education, family support and health management in shaping her path.

Together, Carolyn and Susan offer honest reflections on parenting, resilience, community and the pursuit of independence, reminding us that while the journey is never easy, with the right support, they’ll be just fine.

Meet our guests:

Carolyn Emeny

Carolyn is a devoted mother, entrepreneur and advocate with lived experience of navigating life after spinal cord injury within the family. When her son Jarrod sustained a spinal cord injury at the age of 17, Carolyn and her husband supported him through rehabilitation and adjustment, while continuing to manage their family’s paddock-to-plate business, Mudgee Meat.

As part of the first cohort of the wecare program, Carolyn and her family helped pioneer this innovative community support model, which provided essential mentoring and guidance during one of the most challenging periods of their lives. In the early stages following Jarrod’s injury, Carolyn also embraced journaling as a means of capturing moments of love, resilience, and progress, offering both a practical tool and a source of strength amid the upheaval.

Susan Wood

Susan is a content creator, storyteller and advocate with lived experience of childhood spinal cord injury. She is a Director of the SpineCare Foundation and Senior Content Manager at Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA), where she leads the development of podcasts, videos and digital campaigns that amplify the voices of people with disability.

Susan is the creator and host of Have The Nerve, one of Australia’s leading disability podcasts, which has reached thousands of listeners across the globe. With a background spanning journalism, digital media and community engagement, Susan has spent nearly a decade ensuring that the stories of people too often overlooked are heard, respected and valued.

Having recently completed a Graduate Certificate of Public Policy and currently studying Graduate Diploma in Public Policy, Susan is passionate about blending communication and policy to drive meaningful social change. Beyond her professional work, she is also a practicing artist, sharing her creativity through her project @swoodmakesart.