#224 The ICU: Through The Eyes of The SCI Patient with Dianne Vitkus - Part 1

Welcome to Season 5 of Blink of an Eye, where we delve into the transformative journey from trauma to resilience for those with spinal cord injuries.

In today’s episode, we hear from Dianne Vitkus, SCI C6 complete quadriplegia, about her early days in the ICU of a Level 1 Hospital. What matters most to a patient? What can staff learn to change a life? What role to friends and family play in the shock and overwhelm of SCI? You’ll hear it from the mouth of a health care professional who found herself on the other side of the equation as a trauma patient. Dianne was a Neuro Trauma Physician Assistant now an SCI mentor, ambassador, and advocate. Now a member of the Blink of an Eye SCI Navigation Team, her goals are to create community, instill hope, and spread joy for other Spinal cord injured people and their families.

Blink of an Eye Podcast is sponsored by the Blink of an Eye Non-Profit:

A non-profit created as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families and medical teams in the first days and weeks of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams have SCI expertise. Blink of an Eye non profit provides a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and medical teams. Blink of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Family Navigation & Support Team for SCI families lead by SCI families and SCI medical experts who provide 24/7 support in the first 30 days of crisis and for transitions in the Miracle Year. Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours and days after injury--what you need to know/say/do specialized for SCI families, friends and medical staff. To find out more, visit www.blinkofaneye.org.

To find out more about Louise and this podcast visit: www.blinkofaneyepodcast.com, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com

Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility:

For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more

Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation:

To find out more about Skills Training in Relational advocacy and mediation skills for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult conversations, conflict, or crisis, visit www.BaltimoreMediation.com for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram for mediator self-awareness.