Spinal Cord Injury Patients Find Empowerment at Stony Brook

Robbie Dudzisz was 17 years old when he was injured in a car accident that left him with a spinal cord injury.

Dudzisz, now 20, from Sanford, Me., has just finished up his participation in a program at Stony Brook University, created by the nonprofit organization Empower SCI, designed to provide recreational and social opportunities to young people with spinal cord injuries.

"You see people change," he said. "People start trying new things and realizing they can do everything they put their minds to."

Empower SCI helps spinal cord injury patients enjoy activities such as yoga, kayaking, adaptive cycling, pool activities – and even things like surfing and rugby.

Many times the participants have experienced their injuries as a result of traumatic events such as diving accidents, car accidents, biking accidents and falls, according to Carrie Callahan, president and co-founder of Empower SCI.

Now in its second year, Empower SCI brought together 10 participants, mostly in their 20s, for two weeks of recreation. The program is staffed 100 percent by volunteers, often college students, who come from a variety of backgrounds: physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing. The program provides 24/7 care and brings in peer mentors for the participants – people who have been through what they are going through now, who impart practical knowledge.

The goal of the organization – which is funded entirely by fundraisers and private donations – is to give its participants "a chance to return to a happy, meaningful, successful life" at a time when they may be focused more on survival skills rather than enjoyable activities, Callahan said.

"The impact that it can have is pretty amazing," she said. "It winds up being pretty powerful."