Blink of an Eye

#246 Taming the Anxious Mind: Insights from Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan On today’s episode, Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan, a renowned mental health expert, takes us on a journey through her unique approach to therapy, blending mindfulness, nature, and existential theory. Growing up amidst the stunning Alps, Dr. Schreiber-Pan developed a profound understanding of nature’s healing power, which she now weaves...

#245 Dr. Cristina Sadowsky on the Power of Activity-Based exercise for those living with Spinal Cord Injury In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Cristina Sadowsky, an international expert in rehabilitative medicine and spinal cord injury care at the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Join us in a conversation wi...

#244 The Evolution of Patient Lifts and Mobility Systems with Brian Trewella In this episode, we’re joined by Brian Trewella, an expert in patient mobilization and mobility solutions for individuals with limited mobility, including those with quadriplegia. With years of experience installing and customizing ceiling lifts, Brian ensures that both patient comfort and caregiver safety are at the fore...

#243 The Powerchair Mobilized Wheelchair Revolution with Pat George In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Pat George, founder of Mobility Outdoors. After witnessing the challenges faced by powerchair users—such as inadequate service support for high-cost equipment and limited mobility options—Pat took matters into his own hands. He launched Mobility Outdoors, a company dedicated t...

#242 Navigating Life After Spinal Cord Injury Through Nature and Healing With Jared Potter In this episode, we hear from Jared Potter, a software engineer navigating life with paraplegia after a 2023 paragliding accident in Salt Lake City. Jared shares his journey from emergency medical care to rehabilitation at the Craig H. Neilsen Rehab Hospital and the challenges of transitioning home after a s...

#241 Spinal Cord Injury Home Care Best Practices with Rebecca McWalters  Transitioning home from inpatient rehab is a pivotal and often overwhelming moment for spinal cord injured people and their families. It marks a first chapter of the new normal filled with optimism as well as significant challenges, especially when home modifications are incomplete and the patient and family are no longer in...

#240 When SCI and Aging and Being Discharged from Inpatient SCI Rehab: Options to Consider with Care Manager Ellen Platt In this episode, we welcome Ellen Platt, founder of The Option Group and a seasoned expert in care management with over 30 years of experience. Ellen specializes in providing personalized guidance to families navigating care options for loved ones with disabilities, chronic illn...

#239 The SCI New Normal: Transitioning From Rehab to Home, School, Work and Life with College Athlete Turned Mom: Kelly Brush In this episode, we dive into Kelly’s inspiring journey as she takes us step by step into the transition home and the beginning of the "New Normal" for herself and her family after a spinal cord injury (SCI). Kelly’s story is a testament to resilience, showing that while th...

#238 An Extraordinary Story of a Spinal Cord Injury Clinical Trial, a Humanitarian Exception, and Extended InPatient Rehab with Gustavo Gilchrist In this episode, we hear from Gustavo Gilchrist as he recounts the powerful journey of his son Patricio's spinal cord injury following a diving accident. We explore the details of a clinical trial and step down facility - an often overlooked step in the...

#237 The Critical Role of Bed Sore/Pressure Wound Management with Dr. Quyen Catania In today's episode, Dr. Quyen Catania, a physical therapist and clinical education coordinator at the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury, dives deep into the critical aspects of wound care for individuals living with paralysis, with a particular focus on skin pressure injuries. Dr. Catania highlights the i...

#236 Frequent Flyer Miles: Flying Family & Friends to InPatient Rehab and Managing Home Renovations with Ned Insley Today we explore a common challenge many SCI families face: choosing an out-of-state inpatient rehab facility for their loved one, often far from friends and familiar surroundings. While these Model SCI Rehabilitation centers offer specialized staff and advanced equipment, the cr...

#235 Navigating the Chaos of Insurance Coverage for Rehab with Edie Perkins In today’s episode we talk with Edie Perkins, a former elite marathoner and cyclist, who shares her journey of being paralyzed from the chest down in a bike accident and navigating the inpatient rehab experience related to insurance coverage. She discusses the challenges of dealing with insurance, hospital case workers, an...

#234 The Power of Family Support in Recovery with Mike Nieder In this conversation, Mike Nieder shares the profound journey of his son Jared following a spinal cord injury. He recounts the day of the accident, the challenges faced in navigating the medical system, and the emotional toll on the family. Mike emphasizes the importance of advocacy, family support, and innovative treatments in Jared's...

#233 Occupational Therapy and Going the Max with Ryan Bird In this episode, we shift our focus to Ryan Bird, an occupational therapist at Pioneer Ridge in Lawrence, Kansas, and a close friend of Jarod Nieder. Jarod, our featured guest in this chapter of Season 5, became a C5 complete quadriplegic following a diving accident at a Mexican resort at age 28. In a previous episode, Jarod shared his per...

#232 Love and Persistence In In-Patient Rehab and Into a Nursing Home with Jerod Nieder Our next guest is a true hero who transformed a life-altering moment into a decade of resilience and achievement. After facing total devastation, Jerod found love, hope, and excellence, guiding us through his incredible journey from trauma to recovery. His story underscores that the road to healing is often fil...

#231 Understanding Trauma: Why Can’t I think my way out of this?   In this episode, trauma specialist Mary Sue McCarthy delves into the emotional and psychological impact of spinal cord injury on families, debunking myths about trauma. She explains how the amygdala triggers responses like fight, flight, freeze, or fawn and emphasizes the need for somatic therapy and bottom-up recovery. Mary Sue al...

#230 In The Eyes of a Surgeon with Dr. Hasan Zaidi In today’s episode, we have the privilege of talking with Dr. Zaidi. Dr. Zaidi is an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School and Co-Director of the Adult Deformity/Scoliosis Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He specializes in treating complex spine diseases with minimally invasive techniques. Today, we have the privileg...

#229 Help Hope Live with Sonny Mullen This episode features Sonny Mullen, a passionate advocate who transitioned from a career in television to working with the nonprofit Help Hope Live, inspired by her family's experience navigating her younger brother's rare disease diagnosis. At Help Hope Live, Sonny is dedicated to alleviating the financial burden faced by families dealing with catastrophic in...

#228 A Father’s Courageous ICU Advocacy with Mike Uppenkamp  This episode features Mike Uppenkamp. Mike is a vital member of BLINK of an Eye’s rapid response HEAL team network in the San Diego/Los Angeles area and an SCI Navigator.  His advocacy journey began in 2019 when his son Alex was paralyzed from the chest down in a mountain biking accident—an event Mike describes as a "hard right turn" in...

#227 Redefining ICU Mental Health Support with Melissa Carman Welcome to Season 5 of Blink of an Eye, where we delve into the transformative journey from trauma to resilience for those with spinal cord injuries. This season, you'll be captivated by raw and real-life experiences, from the initial injury through the arduous recovery, showcasing not just survival but the quest for a better, thriving...

#226 The ICU: The Power of an ICU Nurse with Allison Butler Welcome to Season 5 of Blink of an Eye, where we delve into the transformative journey from trauma to resilience for those with spinal cord injuries. This season, you'll be captivated by raw and real-life experiences, from the initial injury through the arduous recovery, showcasing not just survival but the quest for a better, thriving ne...

#225 The ICU: Through the Eyes of the SCI Patient: with Dianne Vitkus - Part II Welcome to Season 5 of Blink of an Eye, where we delve into the transformative journey from trauma to resilience for those with spinal cord injuries.  Welcome to part 2 of Dianne Vitkus’ story in Chapter Two of the SCI Journey: the ICU. In this episode, we delve into practical tips for supporting individuals with high...

#224 The ICU: Through The Eyes of The SCI Patient with Dianne Vitkus - Part 1 Welcome to Season 5 of Blink of an Eye, where we delve into the transformative journey from trauma to resilience for those with spinal cord injuries.  In today’s episode, we hear from Dianne Vitkus, SCI C6 complete quadriplegia, about her early days in the ICU of a Level 1 Hospital. What matters most to a patient? What c...

#223 The Integrative Perspective For Emotional Pain with Dr. Delia Chiaramonte Welcome to Season 5 of Blink of an Eye, where we delve into the transformative journey from trauma to resilience for those with spinal cord injuries.  In today’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Delia Chiarmonte, a family doctor turned integrative health specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Chiarmonte is the founde...

#222 The Rescue: Arrival at a Trauma Center through the eyes of a Neuro Trauma Surgeon with Dr. Bizhan Aarabi Welcome to Season 5 of Blink of an Eye, where we delve into the transformative journey from trauma to resilience for those with spinal cord injuries.  From the moment of injury, every moment teeters on the edge of life and death for high spine injuries, where the experience of medical expe...