Shepherd Center Releases Video Series for Women with Spinal Cord Injury

Shepherd Center recently released “Empowering Women After SCI: Safe Health Care Goes Beyond Accessibility,” a video series that aims to empower women who have sustained spinal cord injuries (SCI) to advocate for their own health and wellness. The videos also serve to better equip healthcare providers to treat women with SCI.

“Research shows that while both men and women with disabilities are at a greater risk for health challenges and health care disparities, women in particular are more likely to delay or avoid routine primary and preventative healthcare appointments, such as mammograms, pelvic exams and screenings for cervical cancer than their counterparts who do not have disabilities,” said Teresa Foy, OT, Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit program manager at Shepherd Center. “Without these routine screenings and preventative care, women with disabilities are at an even higher risk for serious health complications. Through this video series, we hope to create opportunities for women with SCI to seek out the medical expertise they need and deserve to pursue lifelong health and wellness.”

The video series was funded by a generous grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation and donations from grateful Shepherd Center patients and families. The series covers topics ranging from doctor’s office visits, diet and exercise, medical care, pregnancy, childbirth, parenting, fashion, dating and intimacy. The final content was determined based on the feedback from focus groups comprised of local consultants, consumers, peer supporters, Shepherd Center’s women’s SCI support group and expert SCI clinicians. The videos feature open and honest commentary with female patients who have sustained spinal cord injuries, as well as interviews with medical experts.

You can view all nine videos on My Shepherd Connection or on Shepherd Center’s YouTube channel.