2011 Sydney Running Festival with the Walk On Sydney Wonders

Written by Walk On Sydney Wonder - Simon Hodsden

Beep beep beep,….. Beep beep beep, and it's 3:50 AM on a beautiful Sunday morning and what else would we be doing except getting up and getting ready to participate in the Sydney Running Festival along with about 35,000 other people!

And so the preparation began with the help of my wonderful carer Hazel who agreed to come at four o'clock in the morning to help get me ready, while Sharon and boys organised themselves.
 The logistics of getting me up, ready and at the start line just by Luna Park in Sydney for 7:30 AM somehow seemed very daunting however, with plans made and watches synchronised we were in the car and leaving the driveway only two minutes behind schedule at 5:22 AM. The plan now was to drive to Sutherland Station and get a train to Central Station where we would change and get another one to Milsons Point and meet up with the rest of the team for the start of the fun run.

As we were leaving home we were greeted with a fantastic and beautiful sunrise indicating that the weather would be very kind to us. The journey to the station was particularly uneventful and as we arrived we did notice many other people parking their cars and dressed to participate in the run, it was quite fun trying to guess which distance they may be competing in. Would it be the marathon, half marathon, 9 km or the 4 km fun run, some people were easier to guess than others I think, although when the colour of the bib indicating their run was visible some even greatly surprised me.

Arriving at Sutherland Station we were very fortunate to get a parking space right by the station and the ramp leading to the platform. There was a train waiting for us and the platform attendant was very happy to "throw me quickly onto the train" although not literally. We had actually caught a train earlier than anticipated and were now ahead of schedule. We had just arrived at Sydenham Station when Sharon's phone alarm went off, this was indicating the time we would normally have got up on a Sunday morning, and here we are almost in the centre of Sydney! This was particularly poignant as it was another step back towards "normal" family life as it was before my accident. And it proves that with a bit of effort and an early start we can do it.

CityRail thankfully did not have any surprises for us and we arrived at Milsons Point about 15 minutes early and were in fact the first of our team there. It was incredible the amount of people milling around. There were some very serious runners getting ready for the marathon and a lot of families many with strollers (push chairs, for my English readers) and the overriding sensation that you felt was one of a really happy occasion where everybody was out to enjoy themselves.

The team was now assembling and team shirts were delivered and being worn this meant somebody had to carry all the gear that was now not required. Hmmmmm I wonder who will end up being loaded down (no clues but see if you can guess, a photographic answer will be provided later). The team consisted of us Hodsden's, Chuckie another guy in a chair his wife Mel, our physios Alana, Claudia, Camila and the organising secretary Bec. We were also joined by a research student from the University of Sydney with her family who had just flown in from Malaysia the day before.

The Walk On Sydney Wonders Team - All revved up and 4K to go!

At 7:55 AM we were under starters orders. And We're Off.

The number bibs that we are wearing are really quite clever as they contain a timing thingy that activates something as we go over the start and will stop something at the finish. I didn't want to get too technical (mostly because I don't understand how it works).

The start was a relatively slow affair as everybody had to run through the start line to activate their time thingy, however after that people started to walk, jog and run and for me my 4 km chinathon was about to begin. It is quite surprising but it is actually quite a climb from Luna Park up and onto the Bridge. The beauty about this running Festival is the fact that they close the Bridge to all traffic to allow the event to cross it, something that happens very rarely and it is fantastic opportunity to cross this icon on foot (so to speak).

David showing a good turn of speed with Sharon and I closing up

quickly at the beginning of the climb onto the Bridge.

As we progressed further onto the Bridge the views of Sydney just become awesome. Although there were a lot of people taking part in the run there were sections where the crowds were very thin and during these quiet periods I really took the opportunity to Hoon about and put my chin down and get some speed going. This was great fun as long as I avoid the cracks, small potholes and other variations in the road surface that can make chin driving of a wheelchair a very painful experience.

Have you managed to guess who will be carrying all of the excess baggage?

No? ....all will be revealed in the photograph below.

Yes it was me and I think the balloons are there to counteract the extra weight of the bags! This picture is quite incredible as it almost looks like we are the only people on the Bridge. Although it was very tempting to really speed as fast as possible across the Bridge it was also really great just to savour the atmosphere of the day and the occasion.

Sharon discusses race tactics with Claudia and Camila.

As we approached the end of the Bridge were greeted with a band playing and this added to the carnival atmosphere. It was about this point where my neck began to ache although my chin was still feeling great. The route of the run then took us across the Cahill Expressway and you can get fantastic views of Circular Quay, The Opera House and the Bridge, something that is very difficult to appreciate normally when you are in a car. As we exited the Cahill Expressway there was about 1 km left to go and most of these would now be downhill along Macquarie Street and down to the Opera House where the finish line was.

Going downhill would now be the opportunity for us all too actually get some speed up and the photographs above prove that it was a run. We crossed the finish line with the timing of 48 minutes 40 seconds, I suppose this sets the standard for next year. We must have done pretty well because we all got medals.

After finishing the run and with everybody feeling pretty good all the participants had to exit through the Botanical Gardens where there was a "recovery village". This was packed with runners getting drinks, food and sponsors tents etc and was a real reminder of the organisation that goes into an event such as this.

Getting out of the recovery village and down to the station at Circular Quay took nearly as long as the fun run itself due to the number of people trying to exit at once.

It was a fantastic day and I feel a really great achievement and as the writing on Chuckie's wife's T-shirt said on the back "it does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop" -- Confucius.

I am looking forward to my next Chinathon.

Simon


Matthew 19:26 -- With God all things are possible

SpineCare Conference 2011

Walk On at SpineCare Conference 10-11th March, Doltone House, Sydney

By Alana Tickle, Walk On Therapist B.App.Sc (ExSpSc) ESSAM AEP

Kierre and I were so happy to be invited as Walk On representatives at the SpineCare Conference, held at the beautiful Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf on Sydney’s harbour. What a fantastic location to have spent 2 days at!

There was plenty to be excited about at this conference. We had the opportunity to listen to some amazing international keynote speakers including Professor Lawrence Vogel, Associate Professor MJ Mulcahey, Professor Randel Betz and Associate Professor Bonita Sawatzky, all of whom are dealing with paediatric spinal cord patient’s day in and out and are leading the way in current research and treatment options in this field.

Day 1:

The opening session at the conference was an introduction and overview of our main focus for the next two days – innovation and practice in childhood spinal conditions.

I found the second session of the day particularly informative as the panel on stage discussed scoliosis and bone health in children with a spinal cord injury. Bone density is an important consideration at Walk On, so the discussion between traditional methods of testing bone density to a newer method utilising a specialised x-ray, provoked some thought amongst many audience members including Kierre and I.

After a delicious lunch was the Hypotheticals session. It was a really great way to break the day up. It involved some of the leading Doctors and Professors in spinal cord injury research (including Australia’s very own Prof. Mary Galea) role playing in hypothetical situations. It was quite humorous to watch them role play scenarios such as how parents react to different issues that may confront children with SCI. After each skit had played out, a panel discussed how they would personally handle each of the scenarios.

The final session of the day was about the advances in science and technology. I was particularly interested in the neuroplasticity of the spinal cord (presented by Prof. Mary Galea) and current stem cell research that is currently being undertaken. Whilst it was all very technical, it was really interesting! It reminds me of just how complicated the human nervous system is!!

Now day one of the conference was over, we had the opportunity to let our hair down a little and attend a social cocktail party that most of the conference delegates attended. The food was great and so were the conversations… the magnificent view to the Harbour Bridge didn’t hurt either! It was great to see and have a few laughs with our friends at Restorative Therapies - T.Ann who had an exhibition stand at the conference for their FES cycles.

Day 2:
I woke up in the morning with butterflies in my stomach. I so nervous I couldn’t even stomach my breakfast. Even though I have presented on Walk On before, I was nervous about sitting on stage, looking out at over 150 professors, doctors, allied health professionals, nursing staff and parents of children with a spinal cord injury. It was just a tad intimidating! Kierre on the other hand, looked calm and kept telling me “not to worry” and “we’ll be fine”!

Kierre and I sat on stage next to Associate Professor Andrea Behrman and Dr Dena Howland. They presented on activity-based locomotor training and emphasised that high repetitions are the key to activity based therapy approaches when doing activity below the level of injury in children with neurological conditions.

The time came for Kierre and I to get up and speak and my heart started racing a million beats per minute. Despite being so nervous, it was a wonderful and memorable experience. It was so great to share with the audience about what we do and the passion we have for our jobs here at Walk On. I started our presentation with an overview of what Walk On is about and who we are as therapists. I also included some information about our clients such as their level of injury, age, and whether their injury was traumatic or non-traumatic. Kierre then took the microphone and talked about the core of what we do at Walk On – strength training including core stability, balance, posture, coordination gait training and an overview of the equipment we utilise. She also discussed using active assisted movement and visualisation and developmental movement patterns as some of the keys to our program to help stimulate the nervous system. Our session came to a close with question time and I was relieved that all of the questions directed to Kierre and I about Walk On were confidently answered.

Following our presentation, many people from the audience approached us telling us how interesting the program was. The highlight for me however, was being personally congratulated by two of the international keynote speakers; Professor Lawrence Vogel (Assistant Chief of Staff Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chief of Paediatrics, Professor of Paediatrics, Rush Medical College & Medical Director of SCI Program Shriners Hospitals for Children, United States) and Professor Randal Betz (Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chief of Staff at Shriners Hospitals for Children & Medical Director of Shriners' Spinal Cord Injury Unit, United States) on our presentation. Overall the feedback was very positive!

The rest of the day is a bit of a blur really. It went so quickly, as the adrenaline was still pumping and I was on a high from our presentation.

We had an opportunity after our session and during the day to talk to people interested in the Walk On program and hand out some fact sheets and flyers. It felt really great to be able to get the message out there about our wonderful program that uses intense dynamic activity-based exercise therapy. So many of our clients are reporting functional benefits and hopefully we can continue to offer the program to more people in the spinal cord injured community, including paediatrics, now that they know the program exists!

Kierre and Alana with Assoc. Prof. Andrea Behrman, Assoc. Prof. Dena Howland University of Florida

Rod Watson - Walk On Client

Rod Watson's speech at the Launch of Walk On Sydney.

Rod giving his speech at the launch.

In October 2008 my life changed forever. I was on my buck’s night due to be married to in 4 weeks. I was riding a dirt bike on my boy’s weekend and I slid over a concealed road and broke my back. I was airlifted to the Alfred hospital in Melbourne where I discovered I had a complete T 12 injury, meaning I have no function below the waist. Needless to say our wedding was cancelled and my future was thrown in chaos. I spent five months in the Austin Hospital and Royal Talbot rehabilitation where at 27 I was told to get used to my chair and prepare for a life as a paraplegic.

Spinal cord injury at times has made me feel alone, depressed and helpless, it robbed me not only of the ability to walk but also the use of many basic functions, taking my dignity and pride. It is a daily struggle to complete even the smallest of tasks and puts a lot of pressure on family and friends, especially of the care giver. Previous to my accident I prided myself on being a good provider I was a strong and capable fitter and turner and welder. I relied on my physical strength not only for my work but also in my recreational activities.

I have always been very active I am not the sort of person to sit around feeling sorry for myself for long. I decided I did not want to except life in a chair and so my recovery and new life began. In March 2009 Danielle and I finally got married and were lucky enough this year after IVF to have a baby. I decided to get out there and give things a go, I tried reflexology, acupuncture, electric stimulation and swimming, as well as a variety of homemade rehabilitation equipment. At the start of 2010 I travelled to Germany to undergo stem cell treatment at the xcell centre in Cologne. Thousands of dollars later I gained some feeling down the sides of my legs and some reflexes, but little else. I needed to do something pro active to try and engage my brain and legs.

We spent a lot of time researching spinal cord injury and stumbled across Project walk in USA and its Australian Partner Walk On in Brisbane. I joined the waiting list in August 2009 and eagerly awaited my turn. When Walk On opened its Sydney facility I was excited to be among one of the first to be part of the home training program. So as a family we made the trip to Sydney from Melbourne.Walk On for me can be described in one word “POSATIVE” . When you have a Spinal Cord injury you hear a lot of no’s from the doctors and physios... “No you can’t” “no you won’t” even “no there is no point” At walk On you never hear the word “no”, the trainers made me feel that anything is possible and encouraged me to trust my body again. They listened and they understood my injury using what function I had to its full potential. I left Sydney feeling both mentally and physically rejuvenated.

I have since been following the program at home with Danielle and feel that I have gained more strength, coordination, core stability and mentally I feel more positive about my future. We are now hoping to help raise the funds needed to bring Walk On to Melbourne so that we can be part of an in house program and continue my rehabilitation closer to home. I believe this program can benefit all SCI patients in some way, both mentally and physically. I know it is a long road but my hope is not only to walk again but to encourage others to be pro active with their rehabilitation. Thank you for your time.

Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce's speech at Walk On Sydney Launch



Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce giving her speech at the Walk On launch



ADDRESS BY

HER EXCELLENCY MS QUENTIN BRYCE AC GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA ON THE OCCASION OF OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA WALK ON PROGRAM

3 NOVEMBER 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I feel privileged to join you here today for the New South Wales launch of your exceptional Walk On program and to be here as the Patron of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and to let you know how enormously important your work is within the Australian community:

to the more than 400 Australians each year who suffer spinal cord injury and to the families and loved ones who support and care for them. What really strikes me about the Walk On program what impresses and inspires me is its overwhelming and uplifting positivity.

There is no way for me to know the distress and devastation that spinal cord injury occasions to its sufferers men and women going about their daily lives many, many of them at the prime of their health and fitness, their ambition and their optimism about where their relationships, their work and their dreams might take them.

Indiscriminately, instantly, and without notice, their lives are tossed upon foreign tracks. And yet at every point they are the same people. The Walk On program isn't about learning how to manage a crippling injury, how to accept a lifelong disability it's about looking and literally moving beyond injury and disability to reclaim the life you want to lead.



The Governor-General meeting with Board Director David Prast



It's a program that's grounded in rigorous scientific and clinical research and real-life, tangible progress. There are clear and guided steps to get you back on your feet. Practitioners are trained to help you, encourage you, teach you at every point along the way. You learn to trust yourself and your body as you once did. As you work your way though each phase of the exercise for recovery program your nervous system is reactivated nerve fibres begin to regrow and make new connections between the brain and the body gradually, motor power and strength are regained. An extraordinary process of rehabilitation that focuses on the body, but in doing so re-engages confidence, self esteem and hope.

SCIA's introduction of the Walk On program, here in partnership with the University of Sydney integrated with the university's on-site education program for postgraduate exercise specialists from the Faculty of Health Sciences and delivered as a community-based service effectively pulls together all the threads that will ensure its long term sustainability and success. Proven results life-affirming outcomes individuals placed at the centre of care and decision making collaboration with families and the community and a commitment to ongoing research and the pursuit of world-class treatments.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is an outstanding and vital initiative deserving our highest praise and support. I am really delighted now to officially launch the Walk On program and to acknowledge the establishment of the first Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and Spinal Cure Australia PhD Scholarship tenable in 2011 for the proper investigation of the physical, social and economic impacts of the program on quality of life and participation.

On behalf of all Australians, my congratulations to the partners - Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, Spinal Cure Australia and the University of Sydney the exercise specialists the student clinicians and our Walk On aspirants and graduates. I hope your steps from here are big and bold and rewarding.

Friends, thank you.

The Governor-General with WO Therapist Kierre & client Angel

Walk On Sydney Launch - 3rd Nov 2010

Wednesday, 3rd November was a beautiful day to celebrate an exciting milestone in the history of Walk On. The Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, officially launched the first NSW Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) 'Walk On' Program in a ceremony held at the University of Sydney, Lidcombe where Walk On Sydney is based.

The Walk On program, which focuses on maximising functional recovery through exercise, is delivered by therapists at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Health Sciences under a unique partnership arrangement which embeds community-based service delivery into teaching and research.

Dean of Health Sciences, Professor Gwynnyth Llewellyn said: "The partnership allows us to offer this vital service to the community while also introducing our students to cutting-edge exercise rehabilitation techniques and research.

NSW Walk On Therapist Kierre Ireland said clients have already travelled from as far as Western Australia and New Zealand to take part in the program. "This isn't surprising as intensive exercise through the Walk On program provides an unprecedented opportunity for continued functional improvement post hospital rehabilitation," she said.

"Our clients range from young children to older adults and while not all of them will walk again, recovering the slightest movements can drastically improve the quality of life and independence of these individuals and have huge benefits for families."

Rod Watson is one such client. Whilst on his buck's afternoon with his mates, five weeks out from his wedding, Rod came off his trail bike and suffered a T12 complete spinal injury. He spent five months in hospital where he was taught everything he needed to know about living and accepting his future in a wheelchair. This was one of the hardest times for Rod who before his accident was a welder by trade and self confessed sport enthusiast, racing motorcycles and drag cars.

Rod heard about Walk On in the hospital where he was doing rehab. He met a couple of people who had been and he knew he wanted to be a part of it. Earlier this year he attended Walk On for a 10 day program and was amazed by the results. "For a paralysed person to improve in just 10 days, it was unbelievable," he said.

"I gained more strength, more coordination and more core stability and just felt more mentally positive about my future after Walk On. It gave me something to look forward to, it gave me hope."

Speeches from The Governor-General, and clients Rod Watson and Tony Glashoff will be posted shortly.

 

To read more from the Governor-General's website, visit http://www.gg.gov.au/event.php/view/id/1106/title/governor-general-launches-the-spinal-cord-injuries-australia-walk-on-program

Winning Wheelers Ambassador Angel's first Video Blog

Winning Wheelers Ambassador and Walk On client Angel gives her very first Video Blog on her training for the Sydney Running Festival's 4km Family Fun Run.

If you would like to sponsor Angel or the Winning Wheelers team, click here or use the links below.

www.gofundraise.com.au/angelwalkson

www.gofundraise.com.au/winning_wheelers_srf

SCIA's Running Festival with the Winning Wheelers

Written by Rebecca Konstatzky, Fundraising Coordinator and Winning Wheelers Team Captain.

I have never been much of a runner. At school whenever we had a cross country, I would take the short cuts when no one was looking and still end up near the end of the pack. So when my boss and Partnerships Manager, Leila, came to me and said “Bec, I want you to do the City 2 Surf and get people to do it with you” I thought she was joking. Surely she didn’t really expect me to run in the world’s largest fun run. To me, there was nothing fun about it. But slowly information was popping up from every corner of the country of different fun runs, marathons and half marathons. It seemed that there was a fever taking a hold of Australia; and it was something that I had to embrace.

Together with a few partners and programs, we soon developed our very own ‘SCIA Running Season’. I really thought about whom I worked for and the people I was representing, and suddenly it seemed silly to resist. I mean, I had so many inspiring people who faced so many more challenges that I did and yet they still seemed to evolve and strive for something more. I thought about the fundraising component and really, if I was going to be the team captain, then I really needed to set a good example and put my money where my mouth is.

The Winning Wheelers Team was born and soon we’d have people from all over the eastern seaboard running, walking and wheeling their way through 4 different events – Sutherland 2 Surf, City 2 Surf, Bridge to Brisbane and the Sydney Running Festival.

I am lucky enough to train with a personal trainer and when I told him my goal, “to survive these 4 running events” he looked shocked. When I began training with him, the very first thing I said to him was “I don’t run!” That look of shock seemed to follow me, along with scoffs, laughter and looks of worry from loved ones that thought I had gone mad (thanks for the support guys!). I thought about our Walk On clients, one in particular, Nathan (who is a quadriplegic) and the sheer determination to change what people, particularly the medical profession) expected of him. He got up out of his wheelchair, walked the last 25 metres of the Bridge to Brisbane to cross the finish line. Needless to say I was almost in tears when I saw his video on YouTube! If he can do it, so can I.

I started taking my training seriously and pushing myself beyond what I ever thought I could. I was further fuelled by the support that I got from my family. They sponsored me $400 to do the Sutherland 2 Surf and the City 2 Surf (Thanks Mum and Dad!). At first I thought, “bugger, now I really have to do it”. But what I discovered to my shock and horror was that I actually started to like it.

Never having had run (or walked for that matter) any of the distances that these events were, I knew my body was in for a bit of a shock. I don’t think I have ever hurt as much as I did when I completed the City 2 Surf. But what feeling overwhelmed that feeling of pain was PRIDE! I had accomplished something I never thought I could. I thought to myself, ‘this is what it must be like when our Walk On clients stand unaided for the first time, or take those first steps to independence’. I knew what I was doing was important; raising funds for Walk On, Peer Support, Accommodation, Emergency Services, Advocacy and so many more programs and services that SCIA provides... that IS important.

During this running season, I have been inspired time and time again. Shannon our SUPERSTAR Peer Support Officer who wheeled his way over the finish line at the Sutherland to Surf to beat all the odds, Jenny from our Walk On program in Brisbane who will be get up out of her wheelchair and walk the last leg to cross the finish line at the Bridge to Brisbane, and now Angel, another amazing Walk On client from Sydney who will be running... yes you read right, RUNNING 4kms at the Sydney Running Festival. These people along with so many unsung heroes should be an inspiration to all of us, like me who have the ability to do so much more with the body they have been given.

When standing at the start line of our first event, the Sutherland to Surf, I thought to myself “this is going to be a looooooong season!” But now, I am sad that it is slowly coming to an end.

To all those who participated, sponsored and encouraged on the sidelines, we, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia would like to say a big THANK YOU! We hope that you can join us at the next event nearest you!

Enjoying a post run Massage at the Sutheland 2 Surf

To Volunteer or not to Volunteer

Last week was National Volunteering week, so what better way to continue the great Australian tradition of rolling up your sleeves and getting stuck into something than a blog by our very own Volunteer - Magda.




I came to Australia 8 months ago with my partner who had been offered a fantastic job in Sydney. Unfortunately for me, I have not yet been granted a visa with a work permit and the idea of being away from him on the other side of the planet for a long period of time wasn’t really an option. I decided to join him and take the opportunity whilst he was at work everyday to explore this fantastic city. The first month was exciting. Everything was new and fascinating. I loved sight-seeing but I didn’t want my partner to miss out on these experiences, so I started cutting back, settling into more of a housewife role. After a while I got bored...I needed something more to give me motivation to get out of bed every morning; something different from sight-seeing, shopping, cooking and cleaning our apartment.

Realising what a vibrant city Sydney is and how many events are being held every week, I thought I could be a part of it as a volunteer. A few words in the Google browser later, my idea had turned into action. I registered with ‘The Centre for Volunteering’ which provided me with basic training and matched my skills with Spinal Cord Injuries Australia.

Thanks to Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA), my volunteer position has made my time in Sydney so much more rewarding. I found that volunteering is a little give and take. SCIA has taught me so much about disability that I had never even thought of before. I’ve also met some great people with a passion for helping others. As a volunteer publicity officer, I am involved in writing articles, preparing presentations and creating media databases. And yes, it does feel great to be a part of a greater cause.

Along with more than 5 million people in Australia who think the same, we can really make a difference and show our involvement, not only during the Volunteer Week.


Magda

A first blog and an Australian first

Firstly, introductions: My name is Peter Perry and I’m CEO of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, known as SCIA. We’re jumping into the social media sandpit and starting a blog that chronicles stories from some of the 12,000 Australians affected by Spinal Cord Injury, their families and all those who help.

SCIA has been around for 40 years, and we’re driven to help people with a spinal cord injury to become independent in the community. We are a community-based organisation, we support people and assist them to live a better quality of life. Some of the support we provide includes information programs, accommodation services, employment services and peer support services, all about providing people with support and assistance when they need it. You can find out more at http://www.scia.org.au/.

SCIA doesn’t sit around waiting for others. We like to think of ourselves as trendsetters and Walk On, the new exercise recovery program we launch nationally on November 9, is a good example. We knew the program was operating in the USA – as Project Walk – and we saw it would be of benefit to our clients and members. Our members asked, so we went to the States to find out about bringing it Down Under.

SCIA is a pragmatic organisation. We’re not an academic research unit who researches something for decades, although there is a place for that, but others are better qualified. We roll up our sleeves, get in and get started.

And so, Project Walk (USA) and Walk On (AUS) explore new rehabilitation and recovery strategies for people with a spinal cord injury in a safe and controlled environment. We see the benefits from Project Walk clients in the USA and are seeing the same results in clients participating in our Brisbane pilot program. The next steps are our national launch at the Sydney Opera House, beginning Walk On in Sydney, and rolling the program out to other states and territories.

We’re excited about Walk On because it’s changing people’s lives post-SCI. It’s not all about walking again – not too many end up walking – it’s about improving functional recovery. If you have been paralysed and can drive your car again, clean your teeth, lift up your kids to give them a hug: all these things are huge achievements.

A word about some people in the community who appear suspicious of the program. While Walk On has not yet been 'scientifically proven' with years of research, we see results and real-life benefits every day. We are offering this opportunity to anyone in Australia with a Spinal Cord Injury (and there’s about 300 new cases every year) rather than people having to travel to the USA for the program or waiting years for it to happen.

How many people are in some way affected by a spinal injury? There are 12,000 Aussies affected by the injury itself, but so many more directly and indirectly than that – and we want to reach out to everyone to spread the word about Walk On.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is keen to have conversations in the online community because online forums give us all a voice and a chance to better understand each other’s unique perspective.

Stay strong,

Peter Perry
Chief Executive Officer
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia

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