Stories

As the founder and executive director of a small nonprofit, I have reaped so much joy and satisfaction from watching Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection grow over the last decade. This month - November 25, 2024 - will be 10 years!   Eleven years ago, on November 3, 2013, while I was traveling through Guatemala, I [...]

Life After Spinal Cord Injury In this short video, she shares the way she viewed herself and her life after a spinal cord injury. An avid runner, she struggled to adjust to life without running as an outlet for stress and anxiety. Hear about her journey to acceptance and how she navigated the self-doubt and [...]

Life After Spinal Cord Injury The story of how a series of decisions led to a life-changing injury. Brook's life after spinal cord injury and her resulting paralysis helped her to unearth hidden strengths. She discovered her capacity for patience, her tenacity, and her confidence. Over the years, facing unimaginable challenges, she has cultivated her [...]

Life After Spinal Cord Injury In Brad's story he shares his education journey from lackluster high school student to veteran and lawyer. Brad's life after spinal cord injury is filled with real hurdles like social stigma, discrimination, and ableism that faced by many in the spinal cord injury community. Together, we advocate for inclusion and [...]

Life After Spinal Cord Injury In Casey's story he shares how he sustained his spinal cord injury over 20 years ago when he was 20 years old and how it changed his life. Casey joined the Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection Board of Directors in August 2019. He is an OSCI Community Health Worker and [...]

Life After Spinal Cord Injury West's life after spinal cord injury is full of challenges and triumphs. SCI is unlike many other disabilities because everyone's experience is unique, but we face similar struggles. Together, in community, we can find the empathy and support we need to thrive. Our Stories page includes snapshots of the lives [...]

Life After Spinal Cord Injury Zachary's life after spinal cord injury is filled with art. Art has never been as important for him as is it now. Between cooking professionally and building a portfolio as an aspiring artist, Zachary was just living life and going about his day to day. That all changed instantly when [...]

Life After Spinal Cord Injury Johnny Wheels' life after spinal cord injury is all about keeping the music rockin' with his band Swamp Donkeys. Born into a family of musicians, Johnny had been playing guitar, drums, and bass from a very young age. After his injury, he set out to learn how he could continue [...]

Life After Spinal Cord Injury Francisco's life after spinal cord injury is a story of growth both personally and professionally. As a community health worker for Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection, Francisco helps others with new injuries learn how to access programs, resources, and community.  Before 2007 Francisco was self admittedly hanging out with the [...]

Bryanna is in her element as a loving mom after a spinal cord injury.   Before her accident, Brianna had been thriving at her job in hiring and training. She felt everything was going well. That is until “I started going down a dark road and got involved with some old friends who didn’t have […]

Anna still enjoys the beautiful places she has always loved.   After having a lifestyle consisting of physical motion and incredible vistas Anna was afraid her spinal cord injury would keep her from old passions. “The fear of suddenly losing the ability to reach my favorite remote and wild places was synonymous with the loss […]

As a child Aarynn was diagnosed with cerebral palsy but later in adulthood, it was discovered that her disability stemmed from a malformed spinal cord or an injury to the spine as an infant.   “I have always been someone with an apparent physical disability. As a child and into my thirties I was able […]