Spinal Cord Injury Research

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Spinal Cord Injury Research

Spinal Cord Injury Research is a product of the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System and Ke

Spinal Cord Injury Research is maintained by The Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System (NNJSCIS), which is a collaboration of Kessler Foundation and Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. The NNJSCIS is dedicated to providing high-quality clinical care for people with SCI, conducting innovative research to advance the field of SCI rehabilitation, and providing education and training that helps people with SCI and their loved ones live, satisfying, healthy, and productive lives in the community. NNJSCIS is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5011-01-00). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this page do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

10/28/2026

Learning, sharing, and growing together. 💙

Kessler Foundation’s SCI Navigator and Community Connect team joined Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation’s SCI Thrive event, connecting people with information and resources around disability-related financial, legal, and advocacy challenges.

The conversation reflects what our programs support every day: helping people living with spinal cord injury and their families navigate services and resources, while providing caregivers with education and practical training as needs evolve.

Thank you to everyone who helped create a space for learning and connection.

Discover our SCI programs and resources: https://kesslerfoundation.org/spinal-cord-injury-resources

10/26/2026

Navigating life after spinal cord injury can be overwhelming, but no one should have to do it alone.

Kessler Foundation’s SCI Navigator Program provides free, personalized support to people living with SCI and their families, helping them navigate healthcare, access community resources, improve home accessibility, coordinate services, and build greater independence. The program meets people where they are, offering guidance from the transition home through every stage of life with SCI.

We're excited to share that the program was recently featured in New Mobility, highlighting how SCI Navigators help individuals and families overcome challenges, connect with resources, and chart a path toward a better life after injury.

Read more here: https://newmobility.com/sci-navigator-program-helps-people-chart-a-path-to-a-better-life-after-injury/

10/22/2026

The FDA wants to hear from the spinal cord injury community.

Recently, Trevor Dyson-Hudson, MD, director of Kessler Foundation's Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research, provided testimony during the Patient-Focused Drug Development initiative focused on SCI.

Now, individuals living with SCI, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, advocates, and industry stakeholders have an opportunity to share their own experiences directly with the FDA.

SCI is more than an injury. It can involve a cascade of secondary complications that affect health, independence, and quality of life long after the initial injury. Your voice can help ensure these realities are considered when future SCI therapies are evaluated.

🗣️ Share your perspective with the FDA and help shape how future SCI treatments are evaluated. Submit your comments here: https://www.scipfdd.org/comments?blm_aid=48800

📅 Comment deadline: October 30, 2026

Please help spread the word by sharing this opportunity with others in the SCI community.

10/16/2026

Spinal health matters. So does access to research, rehabilitation, and ongoing support.

This World Spine Day, we’re highlighting Kessler Foundation’s commitment to improving life after spinal cord injury.

Our researchers study ways to improve health, function, independence, and community participation across the lifespan. That work extends beyond the laboratory through education and programs that help individuals and caregivers navigate everyday challenges.

By bringing research and lived experience together, we’re working toward a future with more opportunities for people living with spinal cord injury.

Explore our research and resources: https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/center-spinal-cord-injury-research

10/10/2026

WOW... Fall Fest 2026 was our best year yet!

Thank you to everyone who made it possible, including our attendees, families, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, scientists, community partners, and staff. Your energy, enthusiasm, and support turned Fall Fest into an unforgettable celebration of research, resources, inclusion, innovation, and community.

Despite a few raindrops, the smiles, connections, adaptive sports, research demos, and shared experiences made the day truly special. We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped showcase what’s possible when a community comes together.

Thank you for celebrating with us. We can't wait to do it all again next year! 🍁✨ Save the Date: Sunday, September 26, 2027 | 12 - 3 PM | Kessler West Orange Campus

10/04/2026

Fall Fest is TODAY! Are you ready for an amazing day? 🍁

Join us at the Kessler West Orange Campus from 12–3 pm for an afternoon of fall fun, community, and discovery. And remember, Fall Fest is FREE!

Special thank you to our presenting sponsor, FBTGibbons!

🔬 Explore research demonstrations
🤝 Meet Kessler Foundation researchers and community exhibitors
🍴 Enjoy food and refreshments
🎃 Take part in fun fall activities
🎁 Complete your Fall Fest passport for a chance at a prize

📍 Where to go:
Kessler West Orange Campus
1199 Pleasant Valley Way
West Orange, NJ

Bring your family and friends and join the fun! We can’t wait to welcome you to Fall Fest. 💙🍂

🔗 Plan your visit: https://kesslerfoundation.org/fall-fest

10/03/2026

🎉 Tomorrow is Fall Fest🎉

Join us tomorrow for an afternoon of fall fun, community, and discovery at Kessler Foundation!

🍂 Sunday, October 4
⏰ 12–3 pm
📍 Kessler West Orange Campus, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ
🎟️ Free to attend!

Come explore research demonstrations, meet our team and community exhibitors, enjoy food and activities, and learn more about the exciting work happening at Kessler Foundation.

Bring your family and friends. We can’t wait to see you tomorrow! 🍁

🔗 Register and Learn More: https://kesslerfoundation.org/fall-fest

09/30/2026

As Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month comes to a close, Kessler Foundation is highlighting free programs that help people with SCI, caregivers, and loved ones build skills, find connection, and feel supported.

💙 Community Connect provides personalized education and practical caregiver training, including virtual support throughout the U.S. and in-home training for New Jersey residents when appropriate.

🤝 The SCI Caregiver Peer Mentorship Program connects caregivers with trained peers who offer guidance, encouragement, and strategies informed by real-life experience.

💬 Inner Strength is a monthly virtual gathering where people with SCI and their loved ones can connect through shared experiences and meaningful conversations about emotional and social well-being.

Whether you are new to life after SCI or your needs have changed over time, support is available.

Learn about Community Connect and caregiver peer mentoring:
https://kesslerfoundation.org/free-sci-caregiver-training

Learn about Inner Strength:
https://kesslerfoundation.org/about-usdriven-purpose-leading-impact/events

Explore more SCI research, programs, and resources:
https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/spinal-cord-injury

09/28/2026

Kessler Foundation is proud to support the Spinal Cord Injury Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting on September 29.

This free, virtual meeting gives individuals with spinal cord injury and care partners an opportunity to share their experiences, priorities, and unmet needs directly with the FDA and treatment developers.

You do not need to be an expert or polished public speaker to participate. Attendees can listen, respond to live polling, and add their perspectives to the discussion.

What participants share will become part of an official Voice of the Patient report that the FDA, researchers, and treatment developers can use to better understand daily life with SCI and help shape future treatments.

📅 Tuesday, September 29, 2026
🕙 10:00 am to 3:00 pm ET
💻 Free and virtual

Whether you live with SCI, support someone who does, work in SCI care or research, or advocate for the community, you are welcome to attend. The more people who participate, the stronger the message.

Register here: https://www.scipfdd.org/register

09/26/2026

Maria LaQuaglia, MPH, recently represented Kessler Foundation at 2026 REDCapCon in Oklahoma City.

During the conference, Maria shared how Kessler Foundation implemented REDCap to support spinal cord injury research. Her presentation showed how strong data systems can help research teams organize information and carry out their work more effectively.

Maria is a senior research data coordinator in Kessler Foundation’s Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research. We are proud to recognize her work and contributions to the research process.

Learn more about Maria:
https://kesslerfoundation.org/about-us/foundation-staff/maria-laquaglia

Address

1199 Pleasant Valley Way
West Orange, NJ
07052

Website

http://www.kesslerfoundation.org/

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