Don't Worry. Do Wheelies!

Don't Worry. Do Wheelies!

By Abigail RuppelHealth & FitnessEducation
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Don't Worry. Do Wheelies! episodes

  • Pool Noodles & Drowned Walkers | Ep 50
    Abbie and Lorie bring it back to the clinical and practical side of aquatic therapy. They break down what water therapy is actually useful for and what it isn't, so you can go in with the right expectations. From spasticity and tone relief to maximizing muscle coordination with less joint demand, they cover who benefits most and at what stage. Plus, pro tips on doing it affordably without a fancy facility, including throwing your walker in the pool and strapping on a life jacket.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    8 min
  • Unlocked How Water Therapy Changed Everything | Ep 49
    Abbie and Lorie dive into Lorie's personal experience with aquatic therapy after her spinal cord injury, from floating helplessly in inpatient rehab to the life-changing moment in the Mediterranean Sea where something neurologically unlocked and real steps became possible for the first time. Abbie breaks down the science behind why extreme pain was actually shutting off Lorie's motor function, and how the buoyancy of water finally gave her brain permission to reconnect. They also get into the reality of post-exercise fatigue after spinal cord injury, and why comparing your exhaustion to an able-bodied person will never make sense, and that's okay.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  • Your Journey, Your Story: Comparing Injury Levels after SCI | Ep 48
    Abbie and Lori dig into one of the most common habits in the spinal cord injury community: comparing injuries. Lori shares her own story of defying medical expectations, and together they break down why two people with similar injury levels can have wildly different outcomes. They explore what ASIA scoring does and doesn't tell us, how nerve conduction works, and why the real value in comparing yourself to others lies in the specific movements and training approaches, not the level of injury. A practical and encouraging episode for anyone trying to figure out what recovery can look like for them.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  • Don't Fall for It! | Ep 47
    Abbie and Lorie tackle one of the most avoided topics in spinal cord injury life: falls. Laurie shares three of her own fall stories. From a rogue wheelie in PT to a trash-can-demolishing nighttime mishap in rehab, pulling out real lessons on risk, preparation, and knowing your limits. Together they make the case that falls aren't failures; they're part of living fully, as long as you're learning from them and training smart.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  • When Sitting Hurts | Ep 46

    Pain is a constant companion in early rehabilitation, but not all pain means progress. In this episode, Lorie shares a story about being forced to stay upright when her body simply could not tolerate it and the moment she took matters into her own hands.


    Abbie and Lorie unpack the fine line between pushing for recovery and listening to the body’s limits. This conversation offers clarity about pain, patience, and why honoring individual experience is one of the most hopeful paths toward long-term recovery.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min
  • Back on the Horse | Ep 45

    After a spinal cord injury, some dreams feel too risky to revisit. In this episode, Lorie tells the story of how her lifelong love of horses became one of her greatest motivators in recovery. From the first cautious ride to rebuilding core strength through equine therapy, this conversation explores how passion can drive healing.


    Together, Abbie and Lorie reflect on courage, adaptation, and why returning to what you love, even if differently, can restore both body and spirit.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  • The Snowball Fight That Changed Everything | Ep 44

    In this episode, Lorie shares a story from early rehabilitation that begins with snow, mischief, and a group of teenagers in wheelchairs — and ends with a powerful lesson about healing. What starts as a simple snowball fight becomes a reminder that laughter, play, and connection are not distractions from recovery, but essential parts of it.


    Abbie and Lorie reflect on how moments of joy can exist alongside grief, and how rebuilding a life after spinal cord injury often begins with the smallest, most human experiences.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  • Why Your Voice Matters After SCI | Ep 43

    In Part Two of our conversation with Kelley Simoneaux, we widen the lens beyond pressure sores to explore the legal and systemic issues that shape daily life after spinal cord injury.


    Kelley shares what she sees in cases involving medical negligence, durable medical equipment delays, airline travel, and institutional care, and how small failures can quietly create lifelong consequences.


    We talk about when to speak up, how to document your care, where community data can create change, and why lived experience matters in reshaping policy and practice.


    This episode is about clarity. About knowing your rights, understanding the systems around you, and learning how individual voices can come together to protect the life you are building. If you need to know more about your rights, find Kelley on Instagram as @pushylawyer for more information.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min
  • Pressure Sores Should Never Be Normal | Ep 42

    In this episode, we talk with Kelley Simoneaux, a lawyer and spinal cord injury advocate who has dedicated her work to preventing pressure sores and changing how hospitals care for people after SCI.


    Kelley shares how the Stop Pressuring Us campaign began, why pressure sores should never be considered a normal part of life after injury, and what early prevention truly looks like in the hospital and rehab setting.


    Together, we talk about the patterns that lead to long term complications, the quiet assumptions that allow preventable injuries to happen, and how individuals and families can begin advocating for better care from the very beginning.


    This is a conversation about reclaiming what is possible, building systems that protect people, and remembering that a better outcome is not luck. It is something we can plan for.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  • How One Spinal Cord Injury Changed the Law | Ep 41

    In this episode of Don’t Worry, Do Wheelies, Abbie and Lorie sit down with Kelley Simoneaux, a spinal cord–injured attorney and founder of a nationwide spinal cord injury law firm. Injured in a car accident at just 16 years old due to a defective seatbelt design, Kelley shares how her personal injury case helped change vehicle safety standards—and ultimately shaped her career path.


    Kelley walks listeners through her journey from patient to plaintiff, law school to law firm owner, and explains why lived experience matters when navigating legal claims after a spinal cord injury. This conversation highlights product liability, patient advocacy, and why sometimes it takes legal action to force systemic change. An empowering episode for anyone living with a spinal cord injury or supporting someone who is.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 min

About Don't Worry. Do Wheelies!

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to the Don’t Worry, Do Wheelies Podcast! Are you recovering from a spinal cord injury and you’re looking to learn more about others experiences just like yours?
Here we will learn all…