SCI Health Fair: Full Agenda
Saturday, September 23rd
In addition to the great presentations described below, throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to get their vitals, learn their weight using an accessible scale, try adapted video game controls, experience seated yoga, and more.
8:30 – 9:15am Arrival, snacks
9:15 – 10:00am What’s New with the Rochester Spinal Association?
Chris Hilderbrant, Executive Director
The Rochester Spinal Association has changed a lot since the last SCI Health
Fair. Come hear what’s new, how it has grown, and how it may help you.
10:00 – 10:15am Break
10:15 – 11:00am Maybe I Should Talk to Someone - But Who? Finding the “Right” Therapist
Renee Madathil, Ph.D., CBIST
Okay, so you’ve heard enough times that maybe you should see a therapist, but the
process seems mysterious and overwhelming. How do you choose a therapist? What
is therapy supposed to be like? What kinds of questions should you be asking? In this
talk, Dr. Renee will talk about why and how behind psychotherapy, and building your
advocacy toolkit to ensure that you and your therapist are set up for success.
11:00 – 11:15am Break
11:15 – Noon Sexual Satisfaction After SCI
Victoria Hartman, OT,
Having a satisfying sex life takes a lot of practice and communication - for anyone.
Having a satisfying sex life after a SCI takes even more practice and communication!
But it is possible. This talk will address some of the most common safety and
functional concerns, including arousal, bowel and bladder concerns, and positioning
and tone. We’ll consider current research and look at available equipment for
adaptations, modifications, supports and more.
This presentation is intended to provide support for anyone living with SCI and
welcomes people of all ages, abilities, gender identities or expressions, sexual
orientations, races, religious beliefs or creeds.
Noon – 12:30pm Lunch break and vendor visits
12:30 – 1:15pm Advancing Quality of Life After Spinal Cord Injury
Dr. Raj Chaggar
This discussion reviews emerging technologies and research focused on improving
quality of life after spinal cord injury, including mobility, bowel, bladder, spasticity,
pain, arm/hand function, and more.
1:15 – 1:30pm Break
1:30 – 2:15pm Spinal Cord Injury: What Can Go Wrong?
Dr. Jordan Adler
In this discussion, we will focus on critically important SCI related health issues that
everyone should be aware of. It might just save your life.
2:15 – 2:30pm Break
2:30 – 3:00pm SCI Management from Those That Have Lived It
Panel
Join us for a discussion of best practices in the real world, featuring people with a
variety of injuries and levels of function and decades of lived experience. If you have a
question or a great tip to offer of your own, this is a great chance.
3:00pm Closing