Peer Connections and Support

Connecting with other individuals who have SCI/D

There are various strategies for connecting with other people who also have a SCI/D Spinal cord injury or dysfunction. . Below we have included some suggestions. It is important to note that just because someone else with SCI/D Spinal cord injury or dysfunction. has experienced something positive or negative does not mean you will. We recommend fact checking the information and speaking with your healthcare provider.

Join SCI/D-specific support groups

• Support groups can be online (e.g. https://www.spinalcord.com/virtual-support-groups) or in-person
• Example of SCI/D Spinal cord injury or dysfunction. -specific support groups: SCI Canada (https://sci-can.ca/network)
• Reach out to SCI/D Spinal cord injury or dysfunction. rehabilitation Process of assessment, treatment and management to help a person who has suffered an illness or injury restore lost skills and improve. centres to access peer support networks
• General platforms (e.g. Facebook and Reddit) can also have groups or forums specifically for people with SCI/D Spinal cord injury or dysfunction.
• The groups/forums will provide a platform to share medication-related experiences, stimulate discussion among peers, and provide or receive advice

Join SCI events

• Attending SCI/D Spinal cord injury or dysfunction. -specific conferences or workshops may provide opportunities to connect with peers
• Examples include:
  • The North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium (NASCIC)
  • Spinal Cord Injury and Rehabilitation to improve the lives of Canadians
  • Spinal Cord Injury Research Evidence
  • Spinal Cord Injury Ontario
  • Spinal Cord Injury British Columbia
  • Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan

Attend webinars offered by people with lived experiences

• Learn from other peoples’ experiences
• Examples include:
  • Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
  • Spinal Cord Injury Canada

Participate in peer mentoring programs

• Mentorship programs involve pairing people with SCI/D Spinal cord injury or dysfunction. to share knowledge and personal experiences (e.g. medication-related experiences)
• Participate as a mentee or a mentor
• Examples include:
  • Spinal Cord Injury Canada
  • Spinal Cord Injury British Columbia
  • Spinal Cord Injury Manitoba
  • Canadian Paraplegic Association

Attend SCI-specific exercise programs or recreational activities

• Attending SCI/D Spinal cord injury or dysfunction. -specific exercise programs and recreational activities may provide opportunities to connect with peers
• Examples include:
  • Walk It Off Spinal Cord Recovery and Wellness Centre
  • Handcycling Club of Canada
  • Neurocore Physiotherapy & Pilates Centre

It is important to respect everyone’s privacy when engaging with peers. Willingness to share and learn from peers can play a critical role in enhancing medication self-management An individual’s ability to manage the symptoms, side effects, treatment, and physical and social consequences of taking medications. for people with SCI/D Spinal cord injury or dysfunction. .