Quality of Life in a Wheelchair

December 19, 2016

2016 ASK THE EXPERT PODCAST SERIES SPONSORED BY

Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on serving patients with severe and rare disorders through the innovation, development and commercialization of life-transforming therapeutic products. Their goal to deliver medical breakthroughs where none currently exist is driven by the knowledge that people’s lives depend on their work. 

* The Executive Committee of SRNA with the medical and scientific council determines the content and topics of the podcasts. Sponsors are not able to influence the education program.

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About Our Guest Speakers

ALLEN RUCKER, MA, Author 

Allen Rucker grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and went to Washington University, St Louis and Stanford. He was an award-winning writer in television through the 70’s and 80’s. In 1996, he became paralyzed from the waist down via TM. Post-paralysis, he has written or co-written many books, including three books on “The Sopranos,” a memoir with Kenny Rogers, and his own memoir of life after paralysis, ‘The Best Seat in The House.”  The latter was a New York Times’ “Editor’s Choice.” He is currently working on a book with network programming legend, Fred Silverman. He writes for New Mobility magazine and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation web site.  He is also chair of the WGA Writers with Disabilities Committee and the annual Media Access Awards.

To check out his Facebook Page, go to: https://www.facebook.com/ruckerposts

JANET DEAN, M.S., R.N., C.R.R.N., C.R.N.P.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner,
International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (ICSCI), Kennedy Krieger Institute

Ms. Dean attended nursing school at the University of Michigan, completing a master’s degree in parent-child nursing in 1979. She is a board certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and is also a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse. She has over 30 years of experience in the specialty of pediatric rehabilitation. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Ms. Dean enjoyed 10 years as a staff nurse on a pediatric rehabilitation unit caring for children with physical and developmental disability. Currently, as a nurse practitioner for ICSCI, she specializes in the prevention and treatment of the common health consequences of pediatric spinal cord injury. The focus of her practice is on health promotion and health maintenance throughout the child’s life span. The development and implementation of a home, activity-based rehabilitation program is important for achieving this goal. She is a member of Scientific Advisory Board of the Transverse Myelitis Association. She regularly attends the annual Family Summer Camp to provide education and support for families whose lives are touched by transverse myelitis and other rare neuro-immunologic conditions. In 2005, she received the annual Excellence in Clinical Practice-Nurse Practitioner award from the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. where she was employed at the time. Janet Dean has special interest and expertise in the evaluation and treatment of very young children with spinal cord injury and children requiring ventilator assistance. She is also interested in the assisting adolescents with pediatric onset of spinal cord injury complete a successful transition to adulthood.

Erin Michael, PT, DPT, ATP/SMS, Kennedy Krieger Institute

Erin Michael is the Manager of Patient Advocacy and Special Programs at the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (ICSCI) at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD. A graduate of Ithaca College, she holds both Master’s and Doctorate of physical therapy degrees. She specializes in treating paralyzing neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, cerebral palsy, and traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. She has been a certified assistive technology professional since 2011 and a certified seating and mobility specialist since 2012. Erin is the coordinator of the ICSCI Seating and Mobility Clinic and has been specializing in seating and wheeled mobility for nine years.  She has presented for many conferences and educational fairs, including but not limited to the International Seating Symposium, RESNA, NuFair and ACRM.  Erin is a member of the Professional Standards Board of RESNA and the Clinician Task Force.