Hope Talk: A Day in the Life with a Spinal Cord Injury

We’re recognizing Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month with our friends at United Spinal Association: on Thursday, September 23, we explored a day in the life of two individuals living with spinal cord injuries. Our panelists will illuminate the technology, mobility tools, assistive devices, everyday items, and daily hacks that come along with life with an SCI and answer some of those SCI questions you’ve been too afraid to ask.  

You will leave with practical tips, resources, and takeaways that can help you upgrade your own day-to-day life with paralysis or better support the SCI community.

Meet Our Panelists

Bill Fertig is the Director of the Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center for United Spinal Association. Living with T7 paraplegia, Bill served twenty-five years as a police officer and training sergeant prior to an off-duty spinal cord injury. Today, he brings his past experiences and insights from two decades living with SCI to his work providing SCI peer support and assistance with the United Spinal Information Specialist team. His goal is to expand the resources available to the community while amplifying SCI voices.  

Jose Hernandez is the NYC Advocacy Coordinator for United Spinal Association. Jose has been living with C5 quadriplegia since a spinal cord injury when he was 15 years old. He developed a passion for mentoring others with SCI and began advocating with legislators for meaningful change following a Roll on Capitol Hill in 2011. He is the President of United Spinal’s New York City chapter and a Commissioner of the NYC Civic Engagement Commission, ensuring that individuals with disabilities retain access to civic engagement.  

Questions?

Please send your questions for our panelists to outreach@helphopelive.org.  

We hope you can join us!