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.

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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.

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If you’re tired of being seen only through the lens of your spinal cord injury, this episode is for you.

Jerod, Lorie, and Abbie talk about the invisible weight that comes with SCI—the invasion of privacy for information about your injury, representing the disability community as a whole, and having to be an advocate for the needs that exist as a person living with quadriplegia or paraplegia.

They open up about self-imposed limits, the emotional toll of feeling like a spokesperson for the entire wheelchair community, and how they set boundaries on who gets access to their story. Most importantly, they explore what it means to take back your identity, stop apologizing for where you are, and start living for yourself again.

This isn’t about giving up—it’s about redefining freedom on your terms.

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Jerod never set out to start a movement—he just wanted to stay in touch with people back home. But after joining an epidural stimulation study and launching Positively Paralyzed, Jerod’s mission quickly evolved into something much bigger.

In this episode, he shares how he transformed the most devastating moment of his life into a growing business and a powerful platform for connection, consulting, and community. From teaching adaptive fitness classes to advising major pharmaceutical companies and universities, Jerod is focused on shaping a better future for those living with spinal cord injuries.

His message? You can’t always choose what happens to you—but you can choose what you build from it.

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What if growth meant choosing discomfort—on purpose? In this deeply personal episode, Yaz shares what it was like to start life over in a new body after his spinal cord injury. From not laughing for four months to feeling like SCI rehab brought him to the edge of survival, Yaz doesn’t hold back.

But in that darkness, he found something powerful: the ability to connect more deeply with people who had been through something life-altering too. He talks about what changed when he stopped avoiding hard situations, and how other people with SCI helped him feel seen, strong, and capable again.

This episode is raw, real, and ultimately hopeful—for anyone learning to live again after everything has changed.

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The first year after a spinal cord injury can feel impossible to overcome at times— but it doesn’t have to be the end of your story. In this episode, Yaz shares how he went from facing the overwhelming reality of paralysis to problem-solving his way back to independent living, even in an inaccessible home.

He opens up about the setbacks, the learning curves (hello, pressure sore prevention and UTI management), and how a little hope — plus seeing other people actually thriving in wheelchairs — lit a fire in him.

This conversation is real, relatable, and packed with reminders that you can keep moving forward, even when it feels impossible. If you’re new to SCI or just need proof that progress is possible, start here.

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In this powerful kickoff episode, we meet Yaz—whose life changed instantly after a paragliding accident just one year ago. He shares the raw truth of those first moments, the unexpected challenges, and the mindset that carried him forward.

Before diving into the lessons from his first year after spinal cord injury in our next episode, Yaz opens up about what no one tells you when the hospital stay ends and real life begins.

Whether you're newly injured or supporting someone who is, this episode will ground you, guide you, and remind you that you're not alone in figuring it all out.

Let's meet Yaz!

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In this honest and empowering episode, Erin shares what it’s really like when your spouse or significant other takes on the role of caregiver. She talks about the early challenges, the mindset shifts that helped her adjust, and how she and her partner learned to move forward as a team—without losing the heart of their relationship.

Erin also introduces The Ten Percent App, a social media app created specifically for people with disabilities to connect, share experiences, and build community.

If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate changing roles in a relationship or where to find people who just get it, this conversation is for you.

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

Getting back out into the world after a spinal cord injury can feel like entering a different planet. In this episode, Erin—who lives with quadriplegia—shares what it’s really like to return to the community, from the frustrating stares and awkward comments to the powerful moments of reclaiming confidence and showing up boldly. Her stories are honest, eye-opening, and deeply relatable for anyone who's had to navigate a world that doesn’t always understand disability.

Whether you're newly injured or years into your journey, this conversation will make you feel seen—and remind you that you’re not alone.

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

If you’ve ever wondered whether life can still be full after a spinal cord injury, Erin is here to show you what’s possible. In this trailer episode, she opens up about life as a woman with quadriplegia—how she’s not just surviving, but thriving. Erin is launching a social media platform built by and for people with disabilities, and she’s currently pursuing her master’s in mental health counseling to support others on their journeys. Her story is real, uplifting, and packed with hope.

You can find Erin on social media at the link in the podcast or here: @erin.fieldd. And find her upcoming social media platform here: @thetenpercentapp.

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