Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System

07/13/2026

07/13/2026

Studies Seeking Participants

If you have benefited from SCI Forums or our other resources and are interested in supporting our work, you can donate via the Make A Gift link (https://give.uwmedicine.org/sci). Unfortunately, the Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System (NWRSCIS) is facing significant financial challenges, and this funding gap will impact our ability to continue to produce resources, so donations to support our work are more important now than ever. Thank you.

We have study flyers! Some are location based (UW Seattle, Portland) but several are open to any location. Check them out to see if you can participate.

06/10/2026

We have a new SCI Forum video & podcast!

Emergency Preparedness: The Basics
https://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/video/emergencypreparedness/

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.

Watch the video:
NWRSCIS Website: https://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/forum_videos.asp
YouTube: https://youtu.be/V5QDXvDxShQ

Listen to the podcast:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sci-forum/id1451253607
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KExz9OhlsgR1XGHngpNR0
NWRSCIS Website: https://sci.washington.edu/podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOCF5umTFDlkEveajE3cAUCIkSxNyG-M-
or “SCI Forum” on all podcast platforms

05/08/2026

New Video/Podcast

Remote Hypnotic Cognitive Therapy for Chronic SCI Pain: Woo Woo or Worth a Look?

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 non-pharmacological (non-medication) treatments are needed, and the results of this recent research project to treat pain from a distance

Watch the video:
NWRSCIS Website: https://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/video/remotehypnosis/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fr5RF5AWOAE

Listen to the podcast:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/remote-hypnotic-cognitive-therapy-for-chronic-sci-pain/id1451253607?i=1000766178260
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/05Z0hRNy3iqBEstW44t6Ia
NWRSCIS Website: https://sci.washington.edu/podcast/25.asp
YouTube: https://youtu.be/sgF8MXD4wnU
(“SCI Forum” on all podcast platforms)

10/21/2025

Watch the latest SCI Forum video or listen to the podcast!

Exploring Ableism after Acquired Disability: A Panel Discussion

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 in this discussion of 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 Medicine/Harborview Medical Center.

Watch the video: Exploring Ableism after Acquired Disability: A Panel Discussion https://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/video/ableism/
(Also available on our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/uwspinalcordinjury)

Listen to the podcast: Exploring Ableism after Acquired Disability: A Panel Discussion https://sci.washington.edu/podcast/24.asp
(Also available on all podcast apps in the “SCI Forum” feed)

We need your feedback!
After watching the video, please complete our 2-minute survey. https://is.gd/scivideos
After listening to the podcast, please complete our 2-minute survey. https://redcap.link/sciforumpod
Thank you!

Check out all of our videos at http://sci.washington.edu/videos or
all of our podcasts at https://sci.washington.edu/podcast/index.asp

09/08/2025

Watch the latest SCI Forum video!

Non-Invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation: More Than Movement
https://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/video/more_than_movement/

Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a promising non-invasive therapy for enhancing functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Although research in this field is still evolving, studies have shown that tSCS, both on its own and in combination with activity-based therapy, leads to greater improvements in motor recovery compared to traditional therapies. Emerging evidence also suggests that the location of stimulation on the spinal cord can influence various functions, including those related to the upper and lower limbs, blood pressure regulation, and pelvic organ function. At the University of Washington (UW), several studies on tSCS are currently ongoing. In this presentation, Soshi Samejima, DPT, PhD, an Assistant Professor at UW, will review the latest evidence on tSCS for functional recovery: both for movement and autonomic function. The audience will also gain insights into ongoing clinical trials involving tSCS at UW and Harborview Medical Center and the future directions for this innovative therapy.

We need your feedback! After watching the video, please complete our 2-minute survey. https://is.gd/scivideos Thank you!

Check out all of our videos at http://sci.washington.edu/videos

07/24/2025

Watch the latest SCI Forum video!

Beyond Competition: The Adaptive Sports Community
https://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/video/adaptive_sports_community/

The adaptive sports world has many opportunities for individuals with SCI. Whether or not you have ever been involved with sports participation in the past, there are many opportunities to get involved, from seasoned competitors to novices. The local adaptive sports scene is continuing to expand. More than just the sport, there is the community that is built around them. Kyle Hitzleberg, CTRS, Recreational Therapist at Harborview Medical Center, will discuss adaptive sports options for individuals with SCI (and similar disabilities). He discusses different sports - such as Boccia, Wheelchair Rugby, Kayaking, Rowing, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Sled Hockey and more. Kyle uses the Pacific Northwest and Harborview Medical Center as the jumping off point with examples of local organizations and how to get involved. There are resources and ideas on how to get involved in adaptive sports wherever you may live.

We need your feedback, SCI Forum suggestions, and more! After watching the video, please complete our 2-minute survey https://is.gd/scivideos Thank you!

There are over 100 videos from our SCI Forums and other programs on a host of different topics. You can find all of them on our Website (http://sci.washington.edu/videos) and YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/uwspinalcordinjury).

07/09/2025

Watch the latest SCI Forum video!

Restoring Upper Limb Function after Spinal Cord Injury
https://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/video/restore_upper_extremity/

Improving upper extremity function is a major goal for many people with SCI. One growing area of intervention and research is peripheral nerve transfers, which involve moving and reattaching part of a working nerve to a previously non-functioning muscle. Since the development of the Harborview Medical Center Peripheral Nerve Clinic, more individuals with SCI are investigating this option. Whether nerve transfer surgery is potentially on your horizon or something to understand as a person with SCI, family, friend, or associated health care provider, this is an opportunity to learn about the process of nerve transfer surgery. Christopher Crowe, MD, UW Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery, will discuss what goes into nerve transfer surgery, the process of evaluation, surgery, and recovery and rehabilitation after surgery. Evan Griffis provides a lived-experience perspective on peripheral nerve transfer surgery. Learn what a nerve transfer is, how it works, and what current options exist for individuals with SCI.

We need your feedback! After watching the video, please complete our 2-minute survey. https://is.gd/scivideos Thank you!

Check out all of our videos at http://sci.washington.edu/videos

06/27/2025

Listen to the latest SCI Forum podcast! All episodes available on all podcast platforms and our website! Just search and subscribe to “SCI Forum” on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Perspectives from SCI Therapists: Amy, Rehabilitation Psychology
https://sci.washington.edu/podcast/23.asp

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.

We need your feedback! After listening, please complete our 2-minute survey. https://redcap.link/sciforumpodeval Thank you!

Check out all of our podcasts at http://sci.washington.edu/podcast/index.asp

06/02/2025

As the weather starts to get nicer, we have the perfect (and latest) SCI Forum video!

Accessible Trails & the Outdoors
https://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/video/trails/

This is the final presentation from the 2024 Summit around the theme, On The Road Again. Ian Mackay, who has tetraplegia and founded Ian’s Ride (https://www.iansride.com/), discusses how getting outdoors was a catalyst in his life, the power wheelchair odysseys of 335 miles and 425 miles that he has undertaken, and how all of this led to the formation of Ian’s Ride (an annual multi-modal 3-day trail ride on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State). They have added many other day rides throughout the region and Ian’s shares ideas on how you can find accessible trails and access the great outdoors.

We need your feedback! After watching the video, please complete our 2-minute survey. https://is.gd/scivideos Thank you!

Check out all of our videos at http://sci.washington.edu/videos