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

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 esse

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 ro

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

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

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

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

“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 Brid

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, r

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 o