#260 Science Breakthroughs & Legislative Advocacy Now for Spinal Cord Injury Research with Matthew Rodreick

Matthew Rodreick, Executive Director of Unite 2 Fight Paralysis (U2FP), joins us to explore the current landscape of spinal cord injury (SCI) research and advocacy. As the father of Gabriel, who lives with a C5 complete SCI, Matthew brings a deeply personal perspective to the fight for curative treatments.

We discuss the urgency of this moment in SCI science, and the troubling implications of recent federal funding cuts. Matthew shares why community-driven advocacy is essential. While there are almost 18,000 SCIs annually in the US, our number is too small for rare disease protection and not large enough to capture attention for large federal funding. This episode is more than a conversation—it’s a call to action. Learn how you can support the movement, stay informed, and help drive change.

Resources:

Unite 2 Fight Paralysis – https://u2fp.org

How to locate your Congressional Representatives and Senators – https://congress.gov

📩 Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!

BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit:

A non-profit which originated the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel. Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.

To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com

and www.BaltimoreMediation.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 cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.