Understanding the injury. And ways that parents can help their children understand what happened to them and what can be expected growing up with Spinal Cord Injury.

Guests :

Dr. Mary Clare Waugh - A Child Specialist in Rehabilitation at Westmead Hospital Sydney

Maya Dove - She is a youth case worker and also works as a model

Having had a spinal cord injury since birth, Maya is passionate about spreading disability awareness. From highlighting her love for fashion, to the performing arts, travel, social justice issues and — most importantly — her dog, she hopes to break down assumptions surrounding her experience. 

Image:

Maya Dove - A youth case worker and model

Understanding the injury. And ways that parents can help their children understand what happened to them and what can be expected growing up with Spinal Cord Injury.
Guests :
Dr. Mary Clare Waugh - A Child Specialist in Rehabilitation at Westmead Hospital Sydney
Maya Dove - She is a youth case worker and also works as a model
Having had a spinal cord injury since birth, Maya is passionate about spreading disability awareness. From highlighting her love for fashion, to the performing arts, travel, social justice issues and — most importantly — her dog, she hopes to break down assumptions surrounding her experience. 
Image:
Maya Dove - A youth case worker and model

SpineCare's 40 Voices for 40 Years Podcast

To observe World Spinal Cord Injury Day on 5 September 2024, Radio 2SER FM and the SpineCare Foundation launched SpineCare's 40 Voices for 40 Years podcast series.

The podcast series is designed as a resource to inform, empower and enlighten families who have found themselves impacted by childhood acquired spinal cord injury or dysfunction. The launch is a way of celebrating the event through 40 voices from the community, insights from young people who have grown up with their spinal cord injury, their parents and caregivers, as well as academics and clinicians working in the field. Along with personal stories there will be tips, shared experiences on school-life, childhood rehabilitation, bowel and bladder management, going on family holidays, and the latest research and innovations on living with spinal cord injury.

SpineCare's 40 Voice for 40 years is created in the studios of Radio 2SER FM in partnership with SpineCare Foundation.

SpineCare's 40 Voices for 40 Years Podcast
To observe World Spinal Cord Injury Day on 5 September 2024, Radio 2SER FM and the SpineCare Foundation launched SpineCare's 40 Voices for 40 Years podcast series.
The podcast series is designed as a resource to inform, empower and enlighten families who have found themselves impacted by childhood acquired spinal cord injury or dysfunction. The launch is a way of celebrating the event through 40 voices from the community, insights from young people who have grown up with their spinal cord injury, their parents and caregivers, as well as academics and clinicians working in the field. Along with personal stories there will be tips, shared experiences on school-life, childhood rehabilitation, bowel and bladder management, going on family holidays, and the latest research and innovations on living with spinal cord injury.
SpineCare's 40 Voice for 40 years is created in the studios of Radio 2SER FM in partnership with SpineCare Foundation.

2SER Spine Care's 40 Voices for 40 Years Podcast

2SER SpineCare's 40 Voices for 40 Years Podcast

Growing up with Spinal Cord Injury

In this episode, we explore rehabilitation strategies for children with spinal cord injury, featuring insights from two expert guests: Adrian Byak, an expert spinal specialist physiotherapist, and Angela Pulini, a parent whose teenage son has lived with a spinal injury since he was one. This episode offers a unique blend of professional expertise and personal experience, providing valuable perspectives on how to incorporate rehabilitation into a child’s life.

Adrian discusses key rehabilitation principles, emphasising the importance of developing skills for independence and encouraging participation in everyday activities. He stresses the need to focus on improving a child's overall quality of life and the benefits of finding physical activities that are both enjoyable and sustainable.

Angela shares the various strategies her family employed to support her son’s health, development, and well-being over the growing years. While acknowledging the sacrifices involved, she highlights the profound positive impact of consistent physical activity, particularly in her son building mental toughness, self-esteem and a positive mindset.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on rehabilitation, the practical strategies for incorporating regular activity into daily life, and how setting realistic, meaningful goals — along with persistence and consistency — can set children up for success and a healthy future.

Meet our guests:

Adrian Byak

Adrian is a highly skilled and respected physiotherapist with over 25 years of specialised experience in spinal cord injury care. His experience spans tertiary acute hospitals, a leading inpatient spinal rehabilitation unit, statewide community outreach and a specialist Assistive Technology and Seating Service. Adrian has been the Manager and Principal Therapist at Optimise Your Level Physiotherapy Practice for more than a decade.

Adrian has travelled internationally and nationally to stay at the forefront of advancements in spinal injury management, has presented at numerous national and international conferences and has published extensively in leading physiotherapy, medical, and spinal injury journals. Adrian primarily works with adults with spinal cord injury, but importantly has valuable experience working with paediatric cases, particularly around the time that children transition through adolescence and into adulthood.

Angela Pulini

Angela is a devoted mother to three teenage boys, one of whom sustained a C5 spinal cord injury at just one year old. Throughout her middle son's journey, Angela has been a tireless advocate and support, exploring and engaging in a wide range of exercise and rehabilitation approaches to foster his physical health and overall well-being. Beyond her role as a parent, Angela is involved in the disability sports community, serving as the President of NZ Powerchair Football, where she is passionate about promoting the sport and celebrating the achievements of its athletes.



The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not replace professional advice.

Always consult your qualified healthcare professional/s to consider your unique needs and goals for individualised recommendations and rehabilitation programs.



Image by Angela Pulini provided for by SpineCare Foundation. 

In this episode, we explore rehabilitation strategies for children with spinal cord injury, featuring insights from two expert guests: Adrian Byak, an expert spinal specialist physiotherapist, and Angela Pulini, a parent whose teenage son has lived with a spinal injury since he was one. This episode offers a unique blend of professional expertise and personal experience, providing valuable perspectives on how to incorporate rehabilitation into a child’s life.
Adrian discusses key rehabilitation principles, emphasising the importance of developing skills for independence and encouraging participation in everyday activities. He stresses the need to focus on improving a child's overall quality of life and the benefits of finding physical activities that are both enjoyable and sustainable.
Angela shares the various strategies her family employed to support her son’s health, development, and well-being over the growing years. While acknowledging the sacrifices involved, she highlights the profound positive impact of consistent physical activity, particularly in her son building mental toughness, self-esteem and a positive mindset.
Tune in for an insightful discussion on rehabilitation, the practical strategies for incorporating regular activity into daily life, and how setting realistic, meaningful goals — along with persistence and consistency — can set children up for success and a healthy future.
Meet our guests:
 Adrian Byak
Adrian is a highly skilled and respected physiotherapist with over 25 years of specialised experience in spinal cord injury care. His experience spans tertiary acute hospitals, a leading inpatient spinal rehabilitation unit, statewide community outreach and a specialist Assistive Technology and Seating Service. Adrian has been the Manager and Principal Therapist at Optimise Your Level Physiotherapy Practice for more than a decade.
Adrian has travelled internationally and nationally to stay at the forefront of advancements in spinal injury management, has presented at numerous national and international conferences and has published extensively in leading physiotherapy, medical, and spinal injury journals. Adrian primarily works with adults with spinal cord injury, but importantly has valuable experience working with paediatric cases, particularly around the time that children transition through adolescence and into adulthood.
Angela Pulini
Angela is a devoted mother to three teenage boys, one of whom sustained a C5 spinal cord injury at just one year old. Throughout her middle son's journey, Angela has been a tireless advocate and support, exploring and engaging in a wide range of exercise and rehabilitation approaches to foster his physical health and overall well-being. Beyond her role as a parent, Angela is involved in the disability sports community, serving as the President of NZ Powerchair Football, where she is passionate about promoting the sport and celebrating the achievements of its athletes.
 
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not replace professional advice.
Always consult your qualified healthcare professional/s to consider your unique needs and goals for individualised recommendations and rehabilitation programs.
 
Image by Angela Pulini provided for by SpineCare Foundation.

Episode 15 Rehab in a Kid's Life

Tune into this poignant episode where we explore the journey of adolescence with a spinal cord injury, with content relevant to both newly acquired conditions and those experienced since early childhood. Our first guest, highly experienced physical therapist Cathi Duggar, brings nearly two decades of expertise from her work with a specialised adolescent spinal cord team. Cathi highlights the vital roles of healthy competition and peer camaraderie in recovery and emphasises the importance of maintaining connections to education and social lives so that teens can navigate critical milestones.

We’re also honoured to hear from Anthea, a parent who has raised four adolescents, including twins, one of whom suffered a spinal cord injury in a mountain biking accident at age 15. Anthea shares invaluable insights on balancing a healthy parent-child relationship while fostering independence, and highlights the sensitivities required to empower young people with knowledge about their healthcare.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver or healthcare professional, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice for supporting teens through their most formative years.

Meet our guests:

Cathi Duggar

Cathi is a highly experienced physical therapist and therapy manager, with 25 years of experience at the US-based Shepard Spinal Center, including 18 years on the specialised adolescent spinal cord team. With a strong focus on development of holistic care models, Cathi tailors her approach to resonate with teenagers, helping them achieve the milestones and rites of passage that are essential during this pivotal stage of life. Her extensive expertise ensures that adolescents receive the support they need to thrive both physically and emotionally.

Anthea McClintock

Anthea is a devoted mother of four young adults, balancing her parental duties with her professional life as a senior executive. For Anthea and her family, life changed abruptly when, on a Saturday afternoon in spring, her 15-year-old son had a mountain bike accident.  His injury was a C4 Complete Spinal Cord Injury.  “At the time, the world stopped and it was hard to understand how we could ever smile again.”

Her son is now studying at a University in Sydney (3.5 hours from home) and is living on campus. Life is good, just different and requiring a few more logistics at times.  Anthea and her family would like to thank the wonderful teams at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Orange Base Hospital, the Paediatric Spinal Outreach Service, and Royal Rehabilitation in Ryde as well as the community of Orange, their family and friends, including precious friends made in the Intensive Care Unit of the Children’s Hospital over many weeks. 

Image by: Anthea Mclintock provided for by SpineCare Foundation

Tune into this poignant episode where we explore the journey of adolescence with a spinal cord injury, with content relevant to both newly acquired conditions and those experienced since early childhood. Our first guest, highly experienced physical therapist Cathi Duggar, brings nearly two decades of expertise from her work with a specialised adolescent spinal cord team. Cathi highlights the vital roles of healthy competition and peer camaraderie in recovery and emphasises the importance of maintaining connections to education and social lives so that teens can navigate critical milestones.
We’re also honoured to hear from Anthea, a parent who has raised four adolescents, including twins, one of whom suffered a spinal cord injury in a mountain biking accident at age 15. Anthea shares invaluable insights on balancing a healthy parent-child relationship while fostering independence, and highlights the sensitivities required to empower young people with knowledge about their healthcare.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver or healthcare professional, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice for supporting teens through their most formative years.
Meet our guests:
 Cathi Duggar
 Cathi is a highly experienced physical therapist and therapy manager, with 25 years of experience at the US-based Shepard Spinal Center, including 18 years on the specialised adolescent spinal cord team. With a strong focus on development of holistic care models, Cathi tailors her approach to resonate with teenagers, helping them achieve the milestones and rites of passage that are essential during this pivotal stage of life. Her extensive expertise ensures that adolescents receive the support they need to thrive both physically and emotionally.
Anthea McClintock
 Anthea is a devoted mother of four young adults, balancing her parental duties with her professional life as a senior executive. For Anthea and her family, life changed abruptly when, on a Saturday afternoon in spring, her 15-year-old son had a mountain bike accident.  His injury was a C4 Complete Spinal Cord Injury.  “At the time, the world stopped and it was hard to understand how we could ever smile again.”
Her son is now studying at a University in Sydney (3.5 hours from home) and is living on campus. Life is good, just different and requiring a few more logistics at times.  Anthea and her family would like to thank the wonderful teams at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Orange Base Hospital, the Paediatric Spinal Outreach Service, and Royal Rehabilitation in Ryde as well as the community of Orange, their family and friends, including precious friends made in the Intensive Care Unit of the Children’s Hospital over many weeks. 
Image by: Anthea Mclintock provided for by SpineCare Foundation

EPISODE 14 Rites of Passage

Episode description

The future is yours, and in this episode, we dive into the journeys of three young men—Jarrod Emeny, Chad Graham, and Dean Pan who each share their expert tips on igniting their passions and navigating the paths to fulfillment many years following spinal cord injury.

First, we hear from Chad, an adrenaline-seeking elite athlete. He discusses the invaluable support from his parents and the innovative solutions he’s embraced in his diverse pursuits, including adaptive CrossFit, gym training, professional wheelchair rugby and hunting.Next up is Dean, a creative high school teacher, who reflects on how his love for music and woodworking led him to craft beautiful guitars. He emphasises the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, building connections and embracing spontaneity to uncover true passions. Last but certainly not least, Jarrod shares practical insights on moving out of home and the art of traveling, reminding us that not every opportunity is right at our doorstep. He offers valuable advice on the discipline and sacrifice necessary to take risks and fully pursue your passions.

Throughout this episode, you'll uncover recurring themes of joy, fulfillment and the essential role that engaging in meaningful activities plays in overall well-being. Join us for a captivating conversation that encourages you to embrace life’s challenges and passionately pursue what you love!

Meet our guests:

Jarrod Emeny

Jarrod is a highly driven university scholar, international athlete, stand-up comedian and motivational speaker. He graduated with high distinction in Business from University of Wollongong and is currently pursuing postgraduate education while proudly playing US College Wheelchair Basketball under a scholarship at University of Illinois.

Originally from rural New South Wales, Jarrod sustained a thoracic spinal cord injury in a serious road accident on his way to a rugby game at age 17. He has his sights set on representing Australia at the 2028 LA Paralympics.

Chad Graham

Chad is widely regarded as a trailblazer and local hero. As the founder of ROLL101, a charity dedicated to supporting young people affected by chronic or terminal illnesses and catastrophic injuries, he undertook an incredible journey, driving an adapted off-road buggy 4,800 kilometres from Kalgoorlie to Cobar to raise funds for his cause.

In addition to his philanthropic efforts, Chad enjoys spending time with his friends, hunting, fishing and pursuing his passion for sports. He is an accomplished athlete, having represented both NSW and Australia at the highest level in wheelchair rugby. A former BMX and motocross state competitor, Chad’s journey took a turn when he sustained a C6 spinal cord injury in a training accident at age 16.

Dean Pan

Dean is an accomplished, specialist high school teacher in Technology Applied Studies. He has a strong commitment to inclusive education and to facilitating his students to reach their academic potential while building resilience along the way. Dean has also worked as a Paediatrics Peer and Family Support Coordinator at Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, where he demonstrated exceptional mentoring skills.

With a longstanding passion for woodwork, a cervical spinal cord injury at age 14 prompted Dean to explore innovative techniques in using his carpentry tools. His dedication to the craft led him to excel in HSC Industrial Technology: Timber, where he topped his class and beyond school went on to hand-build numerous guitars, as part of a community special interest group.

Image of Jarrod, Chad and Dean provided for by SpineCare Foundation.

Episode description
 The future is yours, and in this episode, we dive into the journeys of three young men—Jarrod Emeny, Chad Graham, and Dean Pan who each share their expert tips on igniting their passions and navigating the paths to fulfillment many years following spinal cord injury.
First, we hear from Chad, an adrenaline-seeking elite athlete. He discusses the invaluable support from his parents and the innovative solutions he’s embraced in his diverse pursuits, including adaptive CrossFit, gym training, professional wheelchair rugby and hunting.Next up is Dean, a creative high school teacher, who reflects on how his love for music and woodworking led him to craft beautiful guitars. He emphasises the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, building connections and embracing spontaneity to uncover true passions. Last but certainly not least, Jarrod shares practical insights on moving out of home and the art of traveling, reminding us that not every opportunity is right at our doorstep. He offers valuable advice on the discipline and sacrifice necessary to take risks and fully pursue your passions.
Throughout this episode, you'll uncover recurring themes of joy, fulfillment and the essential role that engaging in meaningful activities plays in overall well-being. Join us for a captivating conversation that encourages you to embrace life’s challenges and passionately pursue what you love!
Meet our guests:
 Jarrod Emeny
 Jarrod is a highly driven university scholar, international athlete, stand-up comedian and motivational speaker. He graduated with high distinction in Business from University of Wollongong and is currently pursuing postgraduate education while proudly playing US College Wheelchair Basketball under a scholarship at University of Illinois.
Originally from rural New South Wales, Jarrod sustained a thoracic spinal cord injury in a serious road accident on his way to a rugby game at age 17. He has his sights set on representing Australia at the 2028 LA Paralympics.
Chad Graham
 Chad is widely regarded as a trailblazer and local hero. As the founder of ROLL101, a charity dedicated to supporting young people affected by chronic or terminal illnesses and catastrophic injuries, he undertook an incredible journey, driving an adapted off-road buggy 4,800 kilometres from Kalgoorlie to Cobar to raise funds for his cause.
In addition to his philanthropic efforts, Chad enjoys spending time with his friends, hunting, fishing and pursuing his passion for sports. He is an accomplished athlete, having represented both NSW and Australia at the highest level in wheelchair rugby. A former BMX and motocross state competitor, Chad’s journey took a turn when he sustained a C6 spinal cord injury in a training accident at age 16.
Dean Pan
 Dean is an accomplished, specialist high school teacher in Technology Applied Studies. He has a strong commitment to inclusive education and to facilitating his students to reach their academic potential while building resilience along the way. Dean has also worked as a Paediatrics Peer and Family Support Coordinator at Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, where he demonstrated exceptional mentoring skills.
With a longstanding passion for woodwork, a cervical spinal cord injury at age 14 prompted Dean to explore innovative techniques in using his carpentry tools. His dedication to the craft led him to excel in HSC Industrial Technology: Timber, where he topped his class and beyond school went on to hand-build numerous guitars, as part of a community special interest group.
Image of Jarrod, Chad and Dean provided for by SpineCare Foundation.

Growing up with Spinal Cord Injury

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