Peer Mentorship in Spinal Cord Injury Recovery: Independence, Community, and Integrative Care

Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine

In this special episode of the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine podcast, hosts Shivesh Shourya and Mara Kushelman bring together a remarkable group of individuals transforming spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery through peer mentorship and advocacy. Joining us are Jonathan Sigworth, co-founder of More Than Walking, a nonprofit promoting independent living for SCI survivors; Dr. Benjamin Doolittle, Yale professor and Program Director of the Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program with a focus on wellness and spirituality in medicine; and Yale medical students Teimur Kayani and Robert Cotter, who have conducted pivotal research on peer mentorship as a valuable intervention for SCI recovery. Throughout the conversation, we explore how peer mentorship helps SCI survivors regain independence, the role of community support in recovery, and the potential for integrative medicine to enhance quality of life for SCI patients. The guests share insights from their personal and professional journeys, discussing the challenges, triumphs, and transformative impact of peer mentorship. Together, they highlight the importance of holistic, community-based approaches to recovery and inspire a reimagining of what’s possible for SCI survivors. For more information, explore the resources below: https://www.morethanwalking.com/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11426298/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-cord-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20377890 https://artofmentoring.net/peer-mentoring/ Join us to learn more about the power of peer mentorship in supporting SCI survivors and shaping new pathways to independence.