Spinal Cast – Details, episodes & analysis

It’s a small world after all! In this episode of Spinal Cast, Kevin Hoaglund Jr., Maya Robles, and Marisa Valenti share their personal journey of growing up in New Jersey with a parent paralyzed by spinal cord injury. These three adult children reflect on their unique experiences, navigating childhood, adolescence, and adulthood while providing insight into what it means to grow as individuals in a family dynamic that includes caregiving.

With humor, heart, and honesty, they share lessons learned and personal perspective of what’s always been normal for them. Tune in to hear their fascinating stories – because life is truly full and interesting.

Special thanks to Kevin, Maya, and Marisa for being our guests! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Short bios follow:

Maya Robles

A New Jersey native, holds a degree in Environmental Policy from Rutgers University. After working with the environmental nonprofit Sourland Conservancy, she launched her own business, MAR Bookkeeping, where she helps small business owners prevent stress at tax time and take the worry out of finances. For the past eight years, Maya has also shared her passion for dance, teaching at the Rutgers Swing Dance Club, and recently, teaching Lindy Hop classes for people who are blind or visually impaired. In her free time, she loves cooking, spending time in nature, and learning about native plants.

Marisa Valenti

Marisa is a New Jersey native and Travel Physical Therapist, currently working throughout the west coast. Her interests lay in Neurologic Physical Therapy, but has experience in every setting from team sports to inpatient rehabilitation. She loves to rock climb, hike, travel, exercise, and is always up for a new adventure anywhere in the world.

Kevin Hoaglund, Jr.

Born and raised in New Brunswick, NJ. Received a Sports Management degree from James Madison University in and holds a Masters Business degree in Education from Montclair State University. He has been teaching high school for eight years (New Brunswick High, Becton Regional High) and coaches JV Baseball, Varsity Swimming, and JV Baseball.

Meet Ethan Glynn and Parker Durkin, brothers who love the game of football even after a life-altering tackle left Ethan, then a freshman, with a C4 spinal cord injury. In this episode of Spinal Cast, we hear about a journey of resilience, acceptance, and adaptation, as they navigate life after injury. Through candid conversation, they open up about unwavering family and friend support, the determination to push forward, and how that life-changing injury birthed the Just Be Gr8 Foundation, two years after Ethan’s injury. Focused on supporting those facing medical crises, advancing spinal cord injury research, and providing hope for others. Join us for an unforgettable story of strength, recovery, and the unstoppable bond of family.

Access more information about Just Be Gr8 Foundation here: https://justbegr8foundation.org/

Bios for Ethan and Parker can be found here: https://mcpf.org/justbegr8_bios/

Special thanks to Ethan and Parker for being our guests! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Welcome to the latest episode of Spinal Cast, where we discuss the often over looked challenges of air travel, particularly for those with disabilities. In this segment, Ian Ruder, Editor-in-Chief of New Mobility, shares shocking stories of air travel. You’ll discover the alarming lack of industry training for individuals with paralysis as well as the handling of essential equipment like wheelchairs. Ian also offers practical tips for smoother travel and highlights positive changes, including Delta’s wheelchair-friendly seating prototype and ongoing federal efforts to amend the Air Carrier Access Act. Join us for a discussion on the path towards a more accessible and inclusive air travel experience for everyone.

More information about Ian and New Mobility can be found using the links below:

New Mobility - https://newmobility.com/meet-the-team/

United Spinal - https://unitedspinal.org/

Injury - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-0mbh7Di-w

Ian’s Bio:

Ian Ruder is the Editor-in-Chief of New Mobility, the longest-running, most-trusted magazine and web site for active wheelchair users (newmobility.com). A quadriplegic himself, Ruder joined the New Mobility team in 2011 when the magazine was purchased by United Spinal Association, a non-profit focused on mobility-related disability. Prior to working for New Mobility, he worked as a freelance journalist in the Pacific Northwest. When he is not working to promote authentic voices and stories from the disability community, he can likely be found enjoying the culinary delights in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, or rooting for his San Francisco Giants.

Thanks again Ian for being our guest on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) for someone with quadriplegia? In this episode of Spinal Cast we sit down with Kortni Hollingsworth and Sarah Hollowell. Little did they know when they applied and got hired to be Peter Morton’s personal care assistants.

Through their lighthearted telling, Kortni and Sarah offer a candid look into the rollercoaster of emotions and responsibilities that come with the role of PCA. From heartwarming moments that created strong bonds to tough situations that demanded resilience, they share it all. It easy to see how the relationships they formed were more than a contractual client/PCA relationship … a deep friendship was forged, more like being part of the Morton “family.”

Whether you’re curious about the intricacies of the PCA profession or wonder about the realities faced by individuals living with paralysis, this episode is a compassionate and eye-opening discussion about the PCA experience.

Bios for Kortni and Sarah below:

Kortni Hollingsworth -

Kortni is an Emergency Room Registered Nurse. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing while attending Arizona State University. Kortni’s ER career began in Dallas, TX at a Level One Trauma Center, and she currently works in Austin. Kortni loves the fast-pace, high intensity work environment of the emergency room. In her spare time, Kortni enjoys running, spending time with friends and family, and hanging out with her two pups, Dublin and Finley.

Sarah Hollowell -

Sarah is a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse in Austin, TX. She grew up in Gila, AZ and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. After graduation Sarah moved to Austin, TX. She loves working in the NICU and couldn’t imagine working with any other patient population! When not working Sarah enjoys traveling the world, reading, and enjoying good food and wine.

Thanks again to Kortni and Sarah for being our guests on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

In this episode of Spinal Cast you’ll meet the compelling Peter Morton, Executive Director of the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund (MCPF). He’s more than a leader; he’s an open book sharing his knowledge, experience and unfiltered honesty. Get ready for a deep conversation with the man behind the mission. And, if you’re meeting him for the first time, you’ll soon understand why he’s a man many admire.

We’ll unravel Peter’s personal story, from the circumstances surrounding his injury to the inception of MCPF. We’ll also discuss the impact MCPF is making in the field of spinal cord injury and what the future may hold.

But what truly sets this episode apart is the candidness with which Peter discusses his life as a quadriplegic on a ventilator. He meets his situation head on and shares the often dark and difficult places where ethical conflicts arise. A spinal cord injury has a ripple effect on family and friends, the daily mental and physical strain takes a toll. What is remarkable is the grace and purpose Peter found in having control over his own situation.

Be inspired, moved and above all, in awe as Peter’s extraordinary story unfolds. This episode is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of finding purpose even in the face of immense challenges. Thanks for all that you do, Peter!

Thanks again to Peter for being our guest on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Identical twin brothers, David and Jason, led fairly ordinary lives in New York City until a life-changing event on April 17, 1999. David broke his neck in Mexico just before starting his MBA program at Stanford University. During that time Jason was already two years into medical school at Columbia University. After a long recovery David finished his MBA at Stanford and these two brothers became a force in spinal cord injury research.

Today, David is Chief Growth and Innovation Officer of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH,) passionately raising funds and awareness for our biggest health challenges. Let’s call David the money guy.

Dr. Jason Carmel, on the other hand, serves as Director of the Movement Recovery Laboratory at Columbia University, Irving Medical Center where he focuses on innovative therapies using electrical stimulation of the brain and spinal cord. Jason’s the science guy.

By combining their skill sets these two brothers make a formidable team - a dynamic duo. Their story is one of optimism and a shared goal: pursuing, advocating and fundraising for new and innovative therapies for those dealing with paralysis. These guys are on a mission!

Find current bio information for David & Jason below:

David Carmel

https://fnih.org/press-release/the-fnih-appoints-david-carmel-as-chief-growth-and-innovation-officer-2/

Dr. Jason Carmel

https://www.weinberg.cuimc.columbia.edu/research/movement-recovery-laboratory

Thanks again to David & Jason for being our guests on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Everyone has a story, but Nick LiBassi’s is truly remarkable! In 1996, at age 26, Nick endured a horrific skydiving accident. Surviving the accident is almost unimaginable but what’s even more significant is what Nick has done with his life since that day.

In this episode of Spinal Cast Nick shares with great honesty the challenging journey from injury and rehab to transitioning mentally and physically to a life that is something different than he originally imagined. As Nick states, “The people we encounter in our lives matter.”

Because of Nick’s lived experience with spinal cord injury he is a vital voice in many capacities … fundraising, sitting on various boards and committees, and a professional business career. He’s worked at Johnson & Johnson, helped lead a team within an international executive search firm, transitioned to United Spinal Association to establish their Partnership Expansion strategy, and currently works with Mobius Mobility where he is head of sales for the iBOT PMD (an amazing machine!) And, that’s not the complete resume. Nick has also has a history in local government as Municipal Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Police Commissioner and Fire Commissioner. Obviously, Nick practices what he preaches… “Don’t sell yourself short – go do it.”

Nick’s full bio can be found here: https://mcpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/NicholasLiBassi_Bio.pdf

Mobius Mobility/iBOT: https://mobiusmobility.com/

Thanks again to Nick for being our guest on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

At MCPF we talk a lot about our global approach to spinal cord injury research and how it takes a lot of time. During this episode of Spinal Cast Helen-Marie Dunmore, Principal Scientific Advisor with Charles River Laboratories, United Kingdom shares some insight on why it takes so long and how their work is critical for safe and reliable therapies for those affected by spinal cord injury. We discuss the role of regulation, new drug trials, blood brain barrier, data sets, pre-clinical testing, animal models, functional methods, collaboration, and standardization – just to name a few of the challenges. We also hear about the promising therapeutic targets that Helen-Marie is especially excited about; protection and regeneration of neurons, tissue repair, cell and gene-based therapies. Yep, it all takes time, a lot of time, and money.

The work that Helen-Marie and others at Charles River do is behind the scenes but without it we would not have the data or safety measures in place that guarantee advancement in the scientific field of spinal cord injury. Thanks for your devotion and work! A detailed bio for Helen-Marie Dunmore can be found at the link below:

https://www.criver.com/about-us/about-us-overview/our-employees/employees/helen-marie-dunmore-ert

Charles River Laboratories: https://www.criver.com/

Thanks again to Helen-Marie for being our guest on today's podcast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

“Dad, I can’t feel my toes.”

Learning you are paralyzed isn’t just an adjustment for the injured individual, it’s an adjustment for the entire family. This episode of Spinal Cast shares the story of a family living in Milbank, South Dakota finding a new normal after their beloved daughter/sister, Becky is injured in a car accident. Three sisters; Becky, Bernadette and Bridget, all teenagers at the time, discuss the ripple effect the accident had on their family and how they all discovered things about themselves in the process. This is a candid conversation about a shared journey. It wasn’t what they wanted or expected but working through the trauma with love, patience, acceptance, and some humor it’s easy to understand why these sisters have an impenetrable bond. All three sisters are “adulting” now with professional careers, their bios follow.

Becky Walker: Becky is Director of Retail Branches for TruStone Financial Credit Union. She was injured in a car accident when she was 15 which left her paralyzed from the waist down. Becky and her husband, Chad, love spending time outdoors. Their favorite recreational sport is SCUBA diving.

Bernadette Finken: Bernadette is Head of Talent and Acquisition for Best Buy Co. Inc. She is married and a mother of three. When not working she is making memories with her family by attending sporting events and enjoying their lake place in the summer. Bernadette was 16 at the time of Becky’s accident.

Bridget Peters: Bridget is an RN in the ICU at United Hospital. She is a social butterfly! In her free time, she loves to travel, hike, spend time with her friends and family and spoil her adorable dog, Teddie. Bridget was 13 when Becky was injured.

Special thanks to Becky, Bernadette and Bridget for being our guests! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always appreciated - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

The definition of the word “determined” is missing something, it’s Mike Utley. Thirty-two years after an NFL career ending spinal cord injury Mike continues to motivate and advocate for those living with paralysis. He is one of those individuals who deals with adversity better than most and has an irrepressible outlook on life. This episode of Spinal Cast covers his injury, recovery, and personal journey living with paralysis. Next time you use that “thumbs up” emoji here’s hoping you think of Mike. His message and his work are inspiring!

The Mike Utley Foundation - https://www.mikeutley.org/

Thank you again to Mike Utley for joining us on today's episode! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/