SCI Forum

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Presented at the SCI Forum October 25, 2025

Everyone should have an emergency plan for when disaster strikes. In this SCI Forum, Carl Leon, Seattle Office of Emergency Management (OEM), provides an overview of the hazards that can impact Seattle, and steps that individuals and families can take to become more prepared to deal with them. This includes guidance on how to develop a disaster plan, build a disaster supply kit, and organize with your neighbors to become better prepared. There are things to consider for those with disabilities or mobility, access, and functional needs. The presentation also provides an overview of other OEM efforts including the SNAP program, Community Emergency Hubs, and the City's alert and notification system, Alert Seattle. While focused on the Seattle area, there are tips for wherever you may live.

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Presented at the SCI Forum September 20, 2023

Chronic pain can be a significant problem for individuals with SCI. It is estimated that 68% of people living with SCI have neuropathic pain and/or musculoskeletal pain. Pain is correlated with a lower quality of life (more depression, sleep disturbance, physical dysfunction, etc.). In this presentation, Charles H. Bombardier, PhD, Rehabilitation Psychologist and Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, will discuss pain and his recent research on delivering remote hypnotic cognitive therapy. He will address what pain is, the biopsychosocial model, why nonpharmacological (non-medication) treatments are needed, and the results of this recent research project to treat pain from a distance.

A video of this forum can be found at: https://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/video/remotehypnosis/

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Presented at the SCI Forum on March 26, 2025

After a spinal cord injury, people must adapt to changes in their physical abilities while also navigating structural ableism—a system of policies, institutions, and societal norms that disadvantage disabled individuals. How does ableism shape their interactions and self-perception? And how does ableism intersect with sexism? This forum will feature a panel of women sharing their experiences with ableism after acquired disability, discussing its personal and professional effects, and exploring how it appears and is addressed in different settings. Please join us to share your thoughts, perspectives, and questions on navigating ableism after spinal cord injury. The discussion will be moderated by Whitney Morean, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in rehabilitation psychology at UW.

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After spinal cord injury, individuals often work with many different rehabilitation therapists and providers across both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation as they recover and as function changes over time. We had the chance to talk to several different kinds of rehabilitation therapists and providers about their work including: What is involved in becoming a therapist? What are the main things that each discipline works on with their SCI patients? Why does someone choose to be a therapist and work in rehabilitation?.

In this episode, we talk with Amy Starosta, PhD about her work as a rehabilitation psychologist at Harborview Medical Center and learn about the role of “rehab psychology” in rehabilitation after SCI. We discuss how rehab psychology can help with adjustment and changes from the initial injury and throughout one’s lifetime.

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We are joined by Deborah Crane MD, a spinal cord injury physician, to hear about her study looking at the feasibility of short, but high intensity exercise program for people with new SCI. This 2-year study will be conducted on the inpatient unit at Harborview Medical Center.

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After conducting a feasibility trial, Amy Starosta PhD, a rehabilitation psychologist, discusses her new randomized control trial of hypnotic cognitive therapy for pain. This is a 3-year study taking place on the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Harborview Medical Center.

Feasibility Paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37364685/

Case Study Paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37445573/

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The ADA: What You Need To Know

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. How well do you understand this law and how it applies to your daily life? In this presentation, Conrad Reynoldson, of the law firm Washington Civil & Disability Advocate (www.wacda.com), provides practical information for people with SCI who want to better understand their rights under the ADA, including what to do if you suspect a violation and how to advocate for yourself and others. Originally presented on April 26, 2017

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A Panel Discussion: Originally presented on November 4, 2017 at the SCI Wellness Summit.

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People who have just sustained a catastrophic injury like SCI often feel vulnerable, overwhelmed and anxious about the future. The health providers who care for them can make a huge difference in how patients adjust and prepare for their new lives. In this forum, four individuals with different injury levels and years since injury discuss their experiences with health care providers during inpatient rehab and after discharge. They share what they thought health care providers did well and what providers could have done or said differently. Moderated by UW clinical psychologist Jeanne Hoffman, PhD.

Support the Northwest Regional SCI System by donating at https://give.uwmedicine.org/sci.

A Panel Discussion: Originally presented on February 21, 2017

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Women with spinal cord injury are a minority within a minority. Because they make up only about 25% of all people with spinal cord injuries, they can often feel that their needs are not addressed, and they may have a hard time getting answers to their specific questions about health issues unique to their sex. In this panel discussion, five women with spinal cord injuries share their experiences and offer useful information about staying healthy while living with a spinal cord injury. Also on the panel is Erica Bechtel, MD, SCI Fellow at the Puget Sound VA Medical Center. The discussion is moderated by UW rehabilitation medicine psychologist Jeanne Hoffman, PhD.

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Support the Northwest Regional SCI System by donating at https://give.uwmedicine.org/sci

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Simon Calcavecchia was pursuing his dreams of being a rugby player when he sustained a spinal cord injury. Education and a foray into hip-hop ultimately led him to create a series of children’s books starring the characters of Frank (wiener dog who has two wheels) and his pal Mustard (a yellow bird). They go on adventures based on Simon’s real life experiences such as “Stuck in the Mud.”

Along with his illustrator, their mission is to create more children's books with themes of inclusion, kindness, and never giving up! Hear more about the books, Simon’s work with children in the community, the Frank and Mustard hip-hop songs, and more in this fun interview.

Visit https://www.frankandmustard.com/ to learn more!