#272 An Intimate View from an SCI Personal Attendant: Travis Callison on Decades of Personal Care and Friendship

As we continue to explore living a life of integration, we talk with Travis Callison who has been by Tony Schmiesing’s side for 25 years as his personal care attendant. In this episode, Travis shares what that role really means—not just the daily routines, but the interactions, relationship, the honesty, the humor, the boundaries, the life long learnings, and the deep presence that two people who work together in the most intimate physical ways can develop over time. With Tony’s full blessing, Travis shares what it’s been like to walk with someone through decades of life living with a high spinal cord injury, and what being a personal care attendant and caregiver has taught him about care, independence, and connection.

Join us as we learn how some stumble into this work, how Travis sees his role in Tony’s eyes, and how their dynamic has evolved through seasons of challenge and human discovery. Travis gives us a rare window into the often unspoken of side of SCI—the impact of the injury itself, and the people behind the scenes who help make full lives possible.

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BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit:

A non-profit which is an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injury, originating the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.

To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com

and www.BaltimoreMediation.com

Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility:

For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more

Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation:

To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.