Don't Worry. Do Wheelies!

Spoiler: Lorie has a husband who thinks she's the greatest. Abbie has watched newly injured patients find love, start families, and build lives that look nothing like what they feared. In this episode, they tackle the grief of the "old self," the reality of dating after SCI, and why your injury is not the end of your love story, it might just be chapter two. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

Aging with SCI comes loaded with fear and very few answers but there's more you can do about it than anyone told you. Abbie breaks down the real connection between muscle mass, cardiovascular health, and longevity after SCI, and Lorie brings the lived experience that turns science into something you can actually act on today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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...

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...

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 yo...

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...

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...

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 ret...

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 a...

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 ab...

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...

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 l...

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...

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...

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 h...

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...

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...

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 crea...

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 w...

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 counselin...

Why would a seasoned neurologic physical therapist walk away from the traditional insurance-based model to create something entirely new? In this episode, Abbie shares her journey of founding AbbieRoad Physical Therapy, a private practice that delivers spinal cord injury rehab exclusively through digital platforms. She reveals the frustrations that led her to rethink rehab, the challenges of build...

In this episode, Lorie shares her experience of returning to work after a spinal cord injury. She opens up about how she knew she was ready to re-enter the workforce, the accommodations she requested to ensure accessibility and productivity, and the strategies she uses to maintain her health while working. Listeners will walk away with three key lessons: Recognizing Readiness: Understanding the em...

In this episode, Giovanni, Lorie, and Abbie discuss the crucial role of personal effort in spinal cord injury recovery. While medical professionals provide initial guidance, long-term progress depends on the individual’s dedication. Abbie highlights the need for a clear roadmap for post-rehabilitation care, while Lorie emphasizes integrating recovery into daily life. Giovanni shares his experience...

In this episode, Giovanni shares his journey of recovery from a spinal cord injury, emphasizing the role of movement, perseverance, and structured training. He describes how spending time in the pool improved his circulation and mobility, the impact of high-volume repetitions, and the support he received from Abbie in her online SCI training program customized for Giovanni's abilities and his goal...

In this episode, Abbie and Lorie welcome Giovanni, who shares his experience of sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2022 after a 40-meter fall from a mountain. Initially uncertain about his future, Giovanni has been working for the past year and a half while navigating a "wobbly phase" in his recovery—able to walk but still facing instability. He reflects on both his progress and ongoing frustratio...