Your Impact
You Will Make A Difference In Someone’s Life
Your gift creates access and breaks down barriers.
A spinal cord injury can happen in an instant and it can happen to anyone. The journey from hearing you’ll never walk again to living a healthy, full and independent life is a challenging one. But we know, first hand, that it’s possible with a community of volunteers, staff and donors that care.
Jake's Story
“Through my ignorance I was viewing their guidance as a sign of giving up when in fact what my peer mentor was actually doing was preparing me for the inevitable.”
Megan's Story
“I woke up unable to walk. The ER Doctor told me I had a slipped disc that was puncturing my spinal cord and almost splitting it in half. He told me I needed emergency surgery to remove the disc and to try to fix the damage but that I only had a 1% chance of walking again. The first thing that flashed before my eyes was my three-year-old son and my husband and how are they going to manage.
I felt lost. Thankfully, Chris from Spinal Cord Injury Ontario provided me with valuable information and the comfort of knowing that there was a community of people offering support and guidance to me, including Sally, the peer mentor he connected me with.”
Craig's Story
“Having suffered a T11/T12 complete Injury in 2016 and finding myself in the Regional Rehabilitation Centre at Hamilton General Hospital, it was kind of surreal. I don’t think I fully comprehended the scale of my injuries. I was being taught so many new life changing skills; it was hard to take it all in. Spinal Cord Injury Ontario was there and they supported me, both physically and mentally. It was SCIO who introduced me to their Peer Support Program.”
Peer Support Program Participant
2022 at a Glance
People received essential support and services from front line staff.
Volunteer hours that helped deliver our mission.
Service locations helped people all across Ontario.
Peer Events connected people with knowledge.
People supported by Peer Mentors.
People were helped to improve employment skills.
People in need received essential mobility equipment.
Donors that helped support our misson.
Numbers are for Fiscal Year April 1 2022 – March 31 2023
Life is dramatically changed by a spinal cord injury.
Following months of hospital care, recovery and rehabilitation, you’ll have to work out how to support yourself financially — how to afford a mobility device, medical supplies and supports. You might need to modify your home or find an accessible place to live.
You’ll need access to specialized health care, close to home. You may have to learn new ways to manage bowel and bladder function, to have sex, to get around town and to talk about how all of it is affecting you.
Government funding limitations mean that there are significant gaps in service throughout the province.
Your donation fills those gaps.
You fund essential programs built on over seven decades of experience.
Service
Co-ordination
Experienced and knowledgeable navigators helping people achieve their goals and gain independence after a spinal cord injury.
Peer
Support
Trained volunteers with lived experience helping the newly injured overcome the social, psychological and physical challenges of living with a disability.
Knowledge
Exchange
Promoting independence and awareness by acquiring, curating and sharing current knowledge and best practices.
Research
Supporting research that will improve lives of people with spinal cord injury.
Advocacy
Amplifying the voice of people with a spinal cord injury for policy change and improved services from government, the health care system and communities.
Employment
Services
Preparing and connecting workers and employers.
Enhancing
Independence
Essential equipment for those who cannot afford it.
Your gift will help people:
NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM
ADJUST TO LIFE WITH A PHYSICAL DISABILITY
ACHIEVE BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES
ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE
REACH THEIR GOALS
