Spinal Cord Injury Research Evidence (SCIRE) Community was developed by a team in the Rehabilitation Research Program at GF Strong Rehab Centre in Vancouver, BC with guidance and input throughout development by the SCIRE Community Working Group, which consists of a wide network of scientists, health professionals, and 19 community members, including people living with spinal cord injury and other community stakeholders in Canada.
SCIRE Project Executive
The SCIRE Project is co-lead by Dr. Janice Eng and Dr. Robert Teasell. For more information about the SCIRE Project Executive, see SCIRE Professional.
SCIRE Community Team
Janice Eng, PhD, PT is a Professor of the Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia and Scientist at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre and the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Research Centre in Vancouver, Canada. Dr. Eng leads SCIRE Community and is a co-lead of the SCIRE Project.
Dominik Zbogar, PhD is the Coordinator for SCIRE Community at the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia and Rehabilitation Research Program at GF Strong Rehabilitation in Vancouver, Canada.
Kelsey Zhao, is the Program Assistant for SCIRE Community at the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia and Rehabilitation Research Program at GF Strong Rehabilitation in Vancouver, Canada.
Shannon Sproule, BSc PT is a Clinician-Researcher in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia and Physical Therapist at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver, Canada. Shannon is a clinical consultant, writer, and reviewer for SCIRE Community and SCIRE Professional.
SCIRE Community Contributors
Authors, Reviewers, and Interviewees
We are grateful to the contributions of clinical, research, and community members for reviewing our content and assisting with the project in many different ways.
Rachel Abel, OT | Occupational Therapist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Housing After Spinal Cord Injury
Susan Andrews, RN | Certified Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurse, Enterostomal Therapist at Fraser Health Authority
Article reviewer: Pressure Injuries
Arlene Aspinall, RN | Vancouver General Hospital | National Clinical Liaison, Praxis Spinal Cord Institute
Article reviewer: Emergency and Hospital Care
Peggy Assinck, PhD | Banting Postdoctoral Fellow, MRC Wellcome Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge
Article reviewer: Stem Cells and Spinal Cord Injury
Chris S. Bailey, MD, FRCSC | Associate Professor, Western University
Article reviewer: Neuroprotection
Michael Berger, MD, PhD | Clinical Assistant Professor, ICORD, Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia
Article reviewer: Nerve Transfer Surgery
Jaimie Borisoff, PhD | Research Director, British Columbia Institute of Technology | Principal Investigator, ICORD
Article reviewer: Wheelchair Propulsion Assist Devices
Duncan Campbell | Community Member
Article reviewer: Travelling With a SCI
Darryl Caves, PT | Physiotherapist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Orthostatic Hypotension, Shoulder Injury and Pain After SCI, Supported Standing
Sherry Caves | Community Member
Article interviewee: Community Stories With Sherry Caves – Sherry’s Journey as a Mother Living With SCI
John Cobb, BScOT | Occupational Therapist II, Vancouver General Hospital Acute Spine Program
Article interviewee: Community Stories With John Cobb – Insights and Experiences of an Occupational Therapist
Frédérique Courtois, PhD | Professor, Department of Sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal
Article reviewer: Pregnancy After SCI
B. Catharine Craven, MD, MSc, FRCPC | Physiatrist and Senior Scientist, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network | Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Article reviewer: Osteoporosis After Spinal Cord Injury
Sonja de Groot, PhD | Associate Professor, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Physiology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
Article reviewer: Physical Activity After SCI
Ian Denison, PT | Physiotherapist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article Reviewer: Wheelchair Maintenance
Video interviewee: Falls Prevention: 5 situations that most commonly cause falls from a wheelchair, Falls Prevention: Moving the Wheelchair Unexpectedly, Falls Prevention: Positioning in Your Wheelchair, Falls Prevention: Safe Transfers From a Wheelchair, Falls Prevention: Wheelchair Set-up
Amrit Dhaliwal, PT | Physiotherapist, Inpatient Spinal Cord Program, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Acupuncture, Spinal Cord Injury Basics, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Christopher Doherty, MD, PhD | Clinical Associate Professor, MD Undergraduate Director, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of British Columbia
Article reviewer: Nerve Transfer Surgery
Stacy Elliott, MD | Clinical Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia | Medical Director, BC Centre for Sexual Medicine
Video interviewee: Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Assistive Aid, Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Complications, Sex After Spinal Cord Injury: An Introduction, Sex After Spinal Cord Injury: Sexual Self-Esteem, Sexual Health and Spinal Cord Injury: The 3-Step Method, Spinal Cord Injury: A Sexual Health Framework, 3 Sexual Medicine Principles and Spinal Cord Injury, 5 Guidelines for Addressing Sexual Health after Spinal Cord Injury
Janice Eng, PhD, BSc(PT/OT) | University Killam Professor & Canada Research Chair in Neurological Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia | Co-Director, Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute
Article reviewer: Autonomic Dysreflexia, Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids, Travelling With a SCI, Understanding Research Evidence
Stephanie Gillespie, NP | Lactation Consultant
Video interviewee: Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Assistive Aids, Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Complications
Hannah Goodings, MSc | SCIRE Community Research Assistant, University of British Columbia
Article author: Pregnancy After SCI, Shoulder Injury and Pain After SCI
Brad Hallam, PhD, RPsych | Neuropsychologist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Depression After SCI
Susan Harkema, PhD | Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, Anatomical Sciences & Neurobiology, University of Louisville; Associate Director, Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center; Director of Research, Frazier Rehabilitation Institute; Director, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation’s Neurorecovery Network; Rehabilitation Research Director, Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center
Article reviewer: Epidural Stimulation
Jaashing He | Student, University of British Columbia
Article author: Shoulder Injury and Pain After SCI
Tiana Hesmert | Community Member
Video interviewee: Functional Electrical Stimulation After Spinal Cord Injury: Improving Motor Function and Beyond
Karen Hodge | Community Member
Video interviewee: Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Complications
Lesley Houle, RN | Sexual Health Clinician, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Sexual Health After Spinal Cord Injury
Linda Hunt | Community Member
Video interviewee: Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury: Why Do It?
Brad Jacobsen | Peer Program Coordinator, SCI-BC Resource Centre, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Video interviewee: Sex After Spinal Cord Injury: An Introduction, Sex After Spinal Cord Injury: Sexual Self-Esteem, Sexual Health and Spinal Cord Injury: The 3-Step Method
Sharon Jang, MSc | SCIRE Community Research Assistant, University of British Columbia
Article author: Abdominal Binders, Adapted Driving, Adapted Sports and Equipment, COVID-19 Infographic: COVID-19 & SCI, Epidural Stimulation, Housing After Spinal Cord Injury, Infectious Respiratory Conditions, Manual Wheelchairs, The Microbiome in Spinal Cord Injury, Physical Activity After Spinal Cord Injury, Powered Mobility Devices, Respiratory Changes After Spinal Cord Injury, Robotic Exoskeletons, Sleep Disordered Breathing After SCI, Stem Cells and Spinal Cord Injury, Travelling With a SCI, Wheelchair Maintenance, Wheelchair Propulsion Assist Devices, Wheelchair Provision, Wheelchair Seating
Geoff Jessup | Community Member
Video interviewee: Epidural Stimulation After Spinal Cord Injury: Restoration of Motor and Autonomic Function
Gita Joshi, RD | Dietician, GF Strong Rehabilitation Center
Article reviewer: Dietary Fibre
Andrei Krassioukov, MD, PhD, FRCPC | Physiatrist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre | Associate Director and Scientist, ICORD, University of British Columbia
Article author: Breastfeeding Following Spinal Cord Injury: Consumer Guide for Mothers
Article reviewer: Autonomic Dysreflexia
Video interviewee: Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Complications, Epidural Stimulation After Spinal Cord Injury: Restoration of Motor and Autonomic Function
Lisa Kristalovich, OT | Occupational Therapist, Driver Rehab, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Adapted Driving
Tania Lam, PhD, PT | Professor, UBC School of Kinesiology | Principal Investigator, ICORD
Article reviewer: Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training
Amanda Lee, MSc | Research Coordinator, ICORD, University of British Columbia
Video interviewee: Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Complications
Riley Louie, PhD, PT | Physiotherapist, St. Paul’s Hospital | Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia
Article reviewer: Robotic Exoskeletons, Spinal Cord Anatomy
Sean Lynn | Community Member
Video interviewee: Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury: Why Do It?, Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury: How to Adapt Equipment
Jasmin Ma, PhD | Assistant Professor of Teaching, School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia | Clinical Investigator, Arthritis Research Canada
Video interviewee: Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury: Why Do It?, Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury: How to Begin, Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury: How to Adapt Equipment
Kathleen Martin Ginis, PhD | Director, UBC Faculty of Medicine Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management | Principal Investigator, ICORD, University of British Columbia
Article reviewer: Exercise Guidelines for Adults With SCI
Kristen McBride | Community Member
Video interviewee: Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Assistive Aids, Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Complications, Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Kristen’s Story
Katherine Mifflin, PhD | Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University
Article reviewer: Infectious Respiratory Conditions After SCI
Patricia Mills, MD, MHSc, FRCPC | Clinical Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia | Principal Investigator, ICORD | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Baclofen, Botulinum Toxin, Pain After Spinal Cord Injury
Video participant: Spinal Cord Injury: Downfalls of Treating Non-problematic Spasticity, Spasticity and Spinal Cord Injury: 3 Common Triggers, Spasticity and Spinal Cord Injury: Optimizing Spasticity Management, Spasticity and Spinal Cord Injury: Monitoring and Management, Spasticity and Spinal Cord Injury: Physiological Basis, Spasticity and Spinal Cord Injury: Problematic vs. Non-problematic Spasticity, Spasticity and Spinal Cord Injury: Spasticity as a Red Flag
Vanessa Mok, PharmD, RPh | Pharmacist
Article author: Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids, Dietary Fibre, The Microbiome in Spinal Cord Injury, Stem Cells and Spinal Cord Injury
Cynthia Morin, OT | Occupational Therapist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: COVID-19 Factsheet: Guidance for SCI Caregivers, COVID-19 Factsheet: Spinal Cord Injury Specifics
Rachael Neal, PhD, RPsych | Psychologist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: COVID-19 Factsheet: Mental Health Support and SCI, COVID-19 Factsheet: Social Isolation and SCI
Cathy Nevens, RN | Patient Care Coordinator: SCI Program, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Abdominal Binders
Peter New, MD | Clinical Lead, Spinal Rehabilitation Service, Caulfield Hospital, Australia | Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Australia.
Article reviewer: Non-traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (Coming Soon)
Sheryl Newman | Community Member
Video interviewee: Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Assistive Aids, Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Sheryl’s Story
Rachel Nicoletti, RN(C), BSN | Sexual Health Clinician, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Sexual Health After Spinal Cord Injury
Tom Nightingale, PhD | Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham
Video interviewee: Neuromodulation for Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury
Bonnie Nybo, RN, NCA | Clinical Resource Nurse/Nurse Continence Advisor, GF Strong Rehabilitation Center
Article reviewer: Bladder Changes After Spinal Cord Injury, Bowel Changes After Spinal Cord Injury, Urinary Catheters, Urinary Tract Infections
Video interviewee: Sex After Spinal Cord Injury: An Introduction, 5 Guidelines for Addressing Sexual Health After Spinal Cord Injury
Janet Parker, RD | Registered Dietician, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Dietary Fibre
Tova Plashkes, MSc(PT) | Physiotherapist, Inpatient Spinal Cord Program, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre | National Clinical Liaison, Rick Hansen Institute
Article reviewer: Emergency and Hospital Care, Respiratory Changes After Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury Basics
Christine Poirier, PT | Physiotherapist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Video interviewee: Functional Electrical Stimulation After Spinal Cord Injury: Improving Motor Function and Beyond
Courtney Pollock, PhD, BHSc(PT) | Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia
Article reviewer: Adapted Sports and Equipment
Phillip Popovich, PhD | Professor and Chair, Department of Neuroscience; Executive Director, Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury; Director, Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, The Ohio State University
Article reviewer: The Microbiome in Spinal Cord Injury, Infectious Respiratory Conditions After SCI
Nicole Saleh | Community Member
Video interviewee: Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Assistive Aids, Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Nicole’s Story
Brad Skeats | Community Member
Video interviewee: Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury: Why Do It?, Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury: How to Adapt Equipment
Emma M. Smith, PhD, OT, ATP/SMS | Postdoctoral Fellow, Assisting Learning and Living (ALL) Institute, Maynooth University
Article reviewer: Manual Wheelchairs, Powered Mobility Devices, Wheelchair Provision, Wheelchair Seating
Shannon Sproule, BScPT | Physiotherapist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), Inspiratory Muscle Training, Pressure Mapping, Spinal Cord Injury Basics, Understanding Rehabilitation
Video interviewee: Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury: Why Do It?, Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury: How to Begin, Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury: What to Consider
Sam Sullivan | Vancouver community leader, advocate & politician
Article interviewee: Community Stories With Sam Sullivan – A conversation about everything (Coming Soon)
Teri Thorson | Virtual Peer Program Coordinator, SCI BC; Board Member, BC Wheelchair Sports; President, WC Race Series
Video interviewee: Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Assistive Aids, Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: Complications, Sex After Spinal Cord Injury: Sexual Self-Esteem
Holly Timms, OT | Occupational Therapist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Spasticity
Andrea Townson, MD, FRCPC | Physiatrist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre | Co-Acting Head, UBC Department of Medicine | SCIRE Project Executive
Article reviewer: Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids, COVID-19 Factsheet: Guidance for SCI Caregivers, COVID-19 Factsheet: Spinal Cord Injury Specifics
Arun Verma, PhD | Associate Professor of Teaching, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia
Video interviewee: Intrathecal Baclofen for Reducing Spasticity After Spinal Cord Injury
Viet Vu, DO | SCI Physiatrist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Sleep Disordered Breathing After SCI
Video interviewee: Intrathecal Baclofen for Reducing Spasticity After Spinal Cord Injury
Felicia Wong, PT | Physiotherapist, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Article reviewer: Spasticity
Sarah Yada Seto | Marketing & Communications Consulting
Article author: Community Stories With John Cobb – Insights and Experiences of an Occupational Therapist, Community Stories With Sam Sullivan – A conversation about everything (Coming Soon), Community Stories With Sherry Caves – Sherry’s Journey as a Mother Living With SCI
Dominik Zbogar, PhD | SCIRE Community Research Coordinator, University of British Columbia
Article author: Community Stories with John Cobb – Insights and Experiences of an Occupational Therapist, Community Stories – Insights on Nerve Transfer Surgery (Coming Soon), Community Stories With Sam Sullivan – A conversation about everything (Coming Soon), Community Stories With Sherry Caves – Sherry’s Journey as a Mother Living With SCI, COVID-19 Infographic: COVID-19 & SCI, Dietary Fibre, Epidural Stimulation, Exercise Guidelines for Adults With SCI, Non-traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (Coming Soon), Travelling With a SCI, Urinary Tract Infections
Kelsey Zhao | SCIRE Community Research Assistant, University of British Columbia
Article author: Community Stories – Insights on Nerve Transfer Surgery (Coming Soon), Community Stories With Sam Sullivan – A conversation about everything (Coming Soon), Nerve Transfer Surgery, Non-traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (Coming Soon)
Breastfeeding Consumer Guide for Mothers Panel
Greek Translation Team
Chados A., MD, General Hospital of Athens “G.Gennimatas”
Dimopoulou C., Lawyer, LLm, CIPP/E
Emmanouil D., MD, FEBPRM, GHA “G.Gennimatas”
Feridou D., SLT, 414 Military Hospital of Special Diseases (MHSD)
Freri A., OT, 414 MHSD
Kollia M., Business Consultant,
Kontaxakis A., MD, FEBPRM, 414 MHSD
Manolis I., PT, 414 MHSD
Manthos P., MD, FEBPRM, GHA “G.Gennimatas”
Moumtzi-Nakka E., MD, FEBPRM, 414 MHSD
Rapidi C.A., PhD, LFEBPRM, GHA “G.Gennimatas”
Theodoropoulou M.,Jurist, LLM
Tzemi A., MSc, PT, 414 MHSD
Vassilakis R., MD, GHA “G.Gennimatas”
Past Team Members
Christina Cassady, MScPT
Chelsea Chua
Jaashing He
Hannah Goodings, MSc
Johnson Liu
Sharon Jang
Tiev Miller, MSc, MEd
Vanessa Mok
Amanda Mow, MPT
