Episodes

  • Perspectives from SCI Therapists: Amy, Rehabilitation Psychology

    Perspectives from SCI Therapists: Amy, Rehabilitation Psychology
    Jun 16 2025
    Support the Northwest Regional SCI System by donating at www.acceleratemed.org/SCI. After listening, give us your feedback using this quick survey: redcap.link/sciforumpod 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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    32 mins
  • Research Spotlight: Feasibility of Sprint Interval Training During Inpatient Rehabilitation

    Research Spotlight: Feasibility of Sprint Interval Training During Inpatient Rehabilitation
    Dec 6 2023
    Support the Northwest Regional SCI System by donating at http://www.acceleratemed.org/SCI. 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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    16 mins
  • Research Spotlight: Hypnotic Cognitive Therapy for Pain During Inpatient Rehab

    Research Spotlight: Hypnotic Cognitive Therapy for Pain During Inpatient Rehab
    Dec 6 2023
    Support the Northwest Regional SCI System by donating at http://www.acceleratemed.org/SCI. 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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    16 mins
  • The ADA: What You Need To Know

    The ADA: What You Need To Know
    Apr 2 2023
    Support the Northwest Regional SCI System by donating at http://www.acceleratemed.org/SCI. After listening, give us your feedback using this quick survey: https://redcap.link/sciforumpod 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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    52 mins
  • What do SCI Health Professionals (and patients) Need to Know? Advice from Patients

    What do SCI Health Professionals (and patients) Need to Know? Advice from Patients
    Feb 7 2023
    Support the Northwest Regional SCI System by donating at http://www.acceleratemed.org/SCI. A Panel Discussion: Originally presented on November 4, 2017 at the SCI Wellness Summit. After listening, give us your feedback using this quick survey: https://redcap.link/sciforumpod 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.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Women and Spinal Cord Injury

    Women and Spinal Cord Injury
    Oct 12 2022
    Support the Northwest Regional SCI System by donating at http://www.acceleratemed.org/SCI. A Panel Discussion: Originally presented on February 21, 2017 After listening, give us your feedback using this quick survey: https://redcap.link/sciforumpod 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. After listening, give us your feedback using this quick survey: https://is.gd/sciforumpod
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • The Adventures of Frank and Mustard with Simon Calcavecchia

    The Adventures of Frank and Mustard with Simon Calcavecchia
    Jul 6 2022
    Support the Northwest Regional SCI System by donating at http://www.acceleratemed.org/SCI. After listening, give us your feedback using this quick survey: https://redcap.link/sciforumpod 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!
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    34 mins
  • Finding Passion in Poetry: Lan Remme

    Finding Passion in Poetry: Lan Remme
    Nov 20 2021
    Support the Northwest Regional SCI System by donating at http://www.acceleratemed.org/SCI. After listening, give us your feedback using this quick survey: https://redcap.link/sciforumpod Several years after his spinal cord injury, Lan Remme became a poet. We spoke with Lan some time ago about this journey, how he learned to write and pursue this passion, and of the valuable lessons that he learned (and that we can all learn) from finding something that brings us and others joy. In addition, writing poetry brought profound benefits for Lan. We were deeply saddened when Lan died in June of 2021. We are grateful that we had the opportunity to speak with Lan about his poetry. This recording will be a lasting and special memento for us. There is a dedication to Lan and his family as part of this podcast. At the end, we have included a reading of one of Lan’s poems written after this interview. We hope that you will listen and find the same pleasure in listening to Lan and his poetry that we did.
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    42 mins