Blink of an Eye

#277 Embracing Disability Identity as part of Living a Life of Integration with Anthony Tusler  Louise sits down with Anthony Tusler, a writer, photographer, advocate, and educator who has lived with a spinal cord injury for over 70 years. Anthony reflects on his journey of embracing his disability identity in the activism of the 1970s, a turning point that shaped his life’s work in education, community building, and the arts. He shares how community and advocacy are essential to belonging, how art can change the way disability is seen, and how integration and community are key to living a meaningful life. Anthony also speaks to the importance of advocacy in today’s political climate and the responsibility we all share in protecting disability rights since it was the advocacy of SCI advocates and others who made life easier for all Americans with ramps and curb cuts. His insights offer wisdom, encouragement, and a reminder that disability is part of the human experience, something every human will face, not to be feared, but embraced.   Resources https://aboutdisability.com/ https://cripcamp.com/   Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which is an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injury, originating the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org. Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment. To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com

#276 Understanding the chemistry of NVG-291’s efficacy for Rewiring SCI Recovery with Inventor Dr. Brad Lang Brad Lang, PhD, is the neuroscientist and biotech inventor of the ISP drug, the basis of the NVG-291 trials which recently showed efficacy. His work has helped pave the way for one of the most promising new treatments for spinal cord injury in decades. Brad shares the story of how his early research led to the discovery of the intracellular sigma peptide (ISP), a molecule with the potential to unlock axon regeneration and repair damaged neural pathways. We explore the science behind ISP, the challenges of moving from lab discovery to human trials, and the role of persistence at big ideas (a mission imprinted on him by the late Dr. Jerry Silver) when the odds—and the nervous system—seem stacked against recovery.  Along the way, Brad reflects on the emotional journey of being a scientist chasing a breakthrough, the worldwide attention on NervGen’s NVG-291, and the hope these advances bring not only to the SCI community but to the future of treatments for conditions once thought untreatable, and the potential reshaping of lives for those living years with SCI. Resources https://nervgen.com/   Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which is an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injury, originating the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org. Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment. To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com      

#275 Post-Traumatic Resilience for Living Fully After Spinal Cord Injury with Maria Sirois, Psy.D. On today’s episode, Dr. Maria Sirois shares her perspective on how trauma reshapes the body, mind, and relationships, and why gratitude, acceptance, and connection to others are essential to healing. She talks about the ways friendships, especially for young people, can sever after trauma and why, and how to begin repairing or redefining those bonds. She reflects on how trauma impacts people differently across the stages of life and offers a vision of what living a life of integration can look like after a spinal cord injury. Drawing from decades of experience working with loss, death chronic conditions and research, she offers grounded insight into ways of finding strength and meaning in the midst of hardship and why it’s possible for everyone because of our innate human capacity to be resilient. Resources https://www.mariasirois.com/   Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which is an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injury, originating the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org. Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by QLI: Blink of an Eye is sponsored by QLI, a nationally recognized leader in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. With a focus on individualized care, QLI helps people rebuild their lives by combining expert clinical therapy, real-world skill development, and unwavering emotional support. Their mission is to empower clients and families to navigate the challenges of spinal cord injury with strength, hope, and purpose. Learn more about their work at qliomaha.com To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com      

#274 Through the Storm: Scott Seely on Life, Loss, and Connection Scott Seely grew up in Southern California searching for a place to belong, trying out for every sport he could before finding his footing in water polo – and in a friendship with Tony that would last a lifetime. In this episode, Scott shares what it was like to be a part of that early team, the brotherhood they built, and the profound impact Tony’s spinal cord injury had on him and their circle of friends. He talks about the guilt, confusion, and grief that followed, and the journey of reconnecting with Tony years later to rediscover the bond that first brought them together. This is a conversation about friendship, resilience, and the ways we carry one another through life’s hardest moments. Resources https://www.tonyschmee.com/   Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which is an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injury, originating the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org. Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by QLI: Blink of an Eye is sponsored by QLI, a nationally recognized leader in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. With a focus on individualized care, QLI helps people rebuild their lives by combining expert clinical therapy, real-world skill development, and unwavering emotional support. Their mission is to empower clients and families to navigate the challenges of spinal cord injury with strength, hope, and purpose. Learn more about their work at qliomaha.com To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com

#273 Rooted in Faith, Carried by Love: Jim and Julie Schmiesing Jim and Julie Schmiesing didn’t set out to become experts in lifelong caregiving, faith under pressure, or how to hold a family together through profound change. But when their son Tony sustained a spinal cord injury at age sixteen, their world turned upside down—and their new journey began. In this look back over 45 years conversation with Louise, the Schmiesings reflect on more than four decades of choosing love, steadiness, and grace in the face of the unknown. They speak openly about the early days after the injury, the decisions they made to preserve normalcy for their other children, how to rely on others and ask for help, and how their marriage and faith evolved over time. This is not a story of easy answers. It’s one of quiet courage, deep listening, and a lifelong process of integration—where grief, joy, purpose, and uncertainty are allowed to coexist. Jim and Julie’s voice adds something rare and essential to the conversation around spinal cord injury: the perspective of time. What it means to keep showing up. To carry the weight together. And to let love do the work that words sometimes can’t. Resources https://www.tonyschmee.com/   Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which is an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injury, originating the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org. Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by QLI: Blink of an Eye is sponsored by QLI, a nationally recognized leader in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. With a focus on individualized care, QLI helps people rebuild their lives by combining expert clinical therapy, real-world skill development, and unwavering emotional support. Their mission is to empower clients and families to navigate the challenges of spinal cord injury with strength, hope, and purpose. Learn more about their work at qliomaha.com To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com      

 #272 An Intimate View from an SCI Personal Attendant: Travis Callison on Decades of Personal Care and Friendship As we continue to explore living a life of integration, we talk with Travis Callison who has been by Tony Schmiesing’s side for 25 years as his personal care attendant. In this episode, Travis shares what that role really means—not just the daily routines, but the interactions, relationship, the honesty, the humor, the boundaries, the life long learnings, and the deep presence that two people who work together in the most intimate physical ways can develop over time. With Tony’s full blessing, Travis shares what it’s been like to walk with someone through decades of life living with a high spinal cord injury, and what being a personal care attendant and caregiver has taught him about care, independence, and connection. Join us as we learn how some stumble into this work, how Travis sees his role in Tony’s eyes, and how their dynamic has evolved through seasons of challenge and human discovery. Travis gives us a rare window into the often unspoken of side of SCI—the impact of the injury itself, and the people behind the scenes who help make full lives possible.   Resources https://www.tonyschmee.com/     Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which is an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injury, originating the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.   To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com and www.BaltimoreMediation.com     Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility: For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.    

 #271 Adaptive, Creative, Whole: The Shape of Integration with Tony Schmiesing In this episode—the first in our final Season 5 chapter, “Living a Life of Integration”—we talk with Tony Schmiesing, a Newport Beach native whose life changed forever after a spinal cord injury in 1980. While diving off a jetty, he struck a hidden rock and became a C4–C5 quadriplegic. Tony refused to let paralysis define him. Channeling his surf, skate, and ski roots, he reconnected with adaptive skiing through Disabled Sports USA and the High Fives Foundation. He became the first quadriplegic to conquer a superpipe at X Games and even heli-skied the Chugach Mountains in Alaska—achievements featured in the short film The Edge of Impossible. Off the snow, Tony is a filmmaker, graphic designer, writer, advocate, and vegan—a man whose creative and athletic pursuits blend with his message of integration and possibility. In our conversation, we explore how Tony moved from tragedy to adaptive adventure, the role of fear and creativity in his healing, and the design work and advocacy that shape his integrated life. His story is a vivid testament to rebuilding identity after SCI—not by returning to the past, but by forging a new path. Stay tuned as we dive into a life rebuilt—not despite injury, but inclusive of everything that follows it.   Resources https://www.tonyschmee.com/     Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which originated the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.   To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com and www.BaltimoreMediation.com     Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility: For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.      

#270 Grief, Identity, and the Long Road to Healing Invisible Wounds with Eliza Chamblin In this episode of Blink of an Eye, we’re joined by Eliza Chamblin, a licensed clinical therapist based in New York City who specializes in trauma, identity, and emotional healing. Through her work with individuals navigating sudden change and complex grief, Eliza brings a powerful understanding of what it means to process the unseen impact of trauma—especially in the wake of spinal cord injury. We discuss the early emotional responses to trauma, the unique needs of patients and families during the ICU experience, and the often-overlooked internal shifts that follow physical injury. Eliza explores how trauma lives in the body, how mindfulness can aid recovery, and why creating space for grief and emotional honesty is essential in the SCI journey. Her approach offers hope not through quick answers, but through deep listening, relational safety, and honoring the human response to life-altering events. Whether you're in the midst of early recovery or reflecting years down the line, this episode is a gentle and grounding invitation to slow down, feel what’s real, and know that healing is possible—even when it looks different than we expected. Resources Eliza Chamblin Anyoku, LCSW Clarity Therapy NYC – Eliza’s Profile     Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which originated the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.   To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com and www.BaltimoreMediation.com     Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility: For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.      

#269 Inside the NervGen NVG-291 Trials: Part II In Part II of our special series on the groundbreaking NVG‑291 clinical trial from NervGen, we hear from Leslie Fuller, a spinal cord injury survivor and participant in the chronic-phase arm of the study. Leslie shares her powerful personal story, beginning with the day of her injury and unfolding through the emotional landscape of trauma, uncertainty, and the choice to take part in an experimental therapy for nerve regeneration. We follow her path from the earliest days after paralysis to her time at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab as part of the NVG‑291 trial. Leslie describes what it felt like to join something truly new, the day-to-day experience of being in the study, and both the subtle and profound improvements she has experienced in her body and functionality. She also shares other meaningful changes related to autonomic dysreflexia and spasms. And she reflects on the emotional and psychological impact of hope—what it feels like when science breathes life into possibility. Building on the insights from Part I with Larry Williams, this episode brings us even closer to the lived experience of regeneration research and the people helping to shape its future.  Resources https://nervgen.com/     Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which originated the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.   To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com and www.BaltimoreMediation.com     Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility: For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.      

#269 Inside the NervGen NVG-291 Trial: Part I Today we’re joined by Larry Williams, a participant in the NervGen Phase 1b/2a clinical trial for NVG‑291, an experimental therapy designed to promote nerve regeneration and restore function in people with spinal cord injuries. Larry takes us through his personal story—from the mountain biking accident that changed his life to the unexpected path that led him into one of the most closely watched clinical trials in the SCI community. Larry opens up about the emotional and physical journey of recovery, the realities of rehabilitation, and what it meant to participate in a groundbreaking study. We talk about the power of scientific hope, the early but promising results from the chronic cohort of the NVG‑291 trial, and the value of being part of something bigger than oneself. Larry’s reflections offer a rare and candid window into life on the frontier of spinal cord injury research—and the enduring strength of the human spirit.   Resources https://nervgen.com/     Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which originated the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.   To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com and www.BaltimoreMediation.com     Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility: For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.      

#267 Surfer’s Myelopathy and a Second Life for Mike Fritschner Through The Swim with Mike Foundation Mike Fritschner was 15 years old when a family vacation in Hawaii took a sudden turn. After his first surfing lessons in shallow water, he was struck by surfer’s myelopathy—a rare, non-traumatic spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. In a single moment, everything he knew about his body, his identity, and his future changed. In this episode, Mike shares how he navigated those early days of shock and uncertainty, and the role his family, faith, and community played in helping him move forward. He reflects on connecting with the Swim With Mike (SWM) Foundation, a turning point that gave him not only a scholarship to attend USC but a deeper sense of belonging and possibility. Mike opens up about rebuilding his life post-injury, finding clarity in unexpected places, and how living with SCI has shaped his approach to leadership and purpose. Now a member of the board of directors of SWM and director of strategy in supply chain at AT&T, Mike’s story isn’t just one of overcoming adversity—it’s one of adapting, evolving, and discovering meaning in a life that turned out differently, but no less full.  Listen in to his greatest tips for building a new normal.  Resources: www.swimwithmike.org More on Mike’s story    Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which originated the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.   To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com and www.BaltimoreMediation.com     Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility: For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.      

#266 Exploring Neuroplasticity Changes in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury with Dr. Ann Choe What if brain scans could help unlock the mysteries of spinal cord injury recovery? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Ann Choe, a neuroscientist and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, whose work in neuroimaging is helping reshape the way we understand healing after spinal trauma. With a background in computer and biomedical engineering, Dr. Choe brings a systems-level perspective to one of medicine’s most complex challenges. We trace her journey from engineering into neuroscience and explore her passion for neuroplasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt. Dr. Choe shares how imaging technology is uncovering the hidden pathways of recovery and why personalized, data-driven rehabilitation may hold the key for many living with chronic spinal cord injuries. This conversation reveals the power of collaboration in research, the promise of new biomarkers, and the importance of hope—rooted not just in science, but in the brain’s own capacity for change. Learn more about Dr. Ann Choe’s research at Johns Hopkins University: https://profiles.hopkinsmedicine.org/provider/ann-choe/2777571     Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which originated the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.   To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com and www.BaltimoreMediation.com     Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility: For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.      

#265 Reimagining Wheelchairs as Art with Laura Brody What if wheelchairs, walkers, and prosthetics could be seen not only as tools for access but also as works of art? In this episode, we sit down with Laura Brody—artist, costume designer, and founder of Opulent Mobility—to explore the power of reimagining mobility devices as artistic expressions. From her Los Angeles studio, Laura shares how her personal and professional journey led her to challenge societal assumptions around disability, aging, and design. Together, we dive into how art can create connection, promote inclusion, and transform public perception. Laura explains how her exhibits have brought together disabled and able-bodied artists alike, creating a community rooted in dignity, identity, and empowerment. We also explore the therapeutic value of artistic creation and the vital need for accessibility for all (wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, suitcases on wheels, anything on wheels!)—not just in public spaces, but in the art world itself. Join us as we explore how art can become advocacy, and how accessible design can be both functional and beautiful. Learn more about Laura and Opulent Mobility at: www.opulentmobility.com.     Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which originated the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.   To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com and www.BaltimoreMediation.com     Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility: For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.      

#264 Walking with Anthony: A Journey of Hope and Strength In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Micki Purcell shares the journey that led to the founding of Walking With Anthony, a nonprofit inspired by her son Anthony’s catastrophic spinal cord injury. From the moment of the accident, Micki was thrust into a world of trauma, complex medical decisions, and overwhelming financial pressures. Instead of accepting paralysis as a life sentence, she chose to fight—creating a foundation dedicated to helping other families navigate the long road to rehabilitation and hope. Micki opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of the early days, the critical importance of rehab, and the heartbreaking insurance limitations that so many SCI families face. She also explores what it takes to run a nonprofit, maintain resilience, and mobilize a community to uplift those living with spinal cord injuries. Micki is on a mission to fight for insurance coverage for ongoing necessary, spinal cord injury, rehab rehabilitation. Listen in and hear how.  Her story is one of love, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to recovery—not just for her son, but for the thousands of others walking a similar path. Learn more about Walking with Anthony: https://walkingwithanthony.org/   Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which originated the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.   To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com and www.BaltimoreMediation.com     Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility: For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.      

#263 Air Travel Tips for Spinal Cord Injury with Kim Hoog Kim Hoog brings a unique dual perspective as both a former flight attendant and mom and caregiver of Tyler, who lives with C5 incomplete SCI. She offers practical advice and heartfelt insight into air travel for individuals with spinal cord injuries. She outlines key challenges travelers who use power wheelchairs often encounter, highlights the critical role of preparation and clear communication with airline staff, and underscores the importance of advocacy and patience. Kim’s empowering message encourages families to navigate the complexities of air travel because it opens the world of further possibilities while creating meaningful and lasting experiences together.     Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!    BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit: A non-profit which originated the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.   To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com and www.BaltimoreMediation.com     Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility: For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more   Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation: To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.