The Rotary Club of Kew in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Brunswick Tullamarine and the support of Rotary District 9800 has funded the delivery of a series of “In Conversation” online health videos targeted at the Victorian spinal cord injury (SCI) community. They have been produced by the Spinal Research Institute.
With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to reach out to this at-risk group of people has been more vital than ever as many people with SCI have suppressed immune systems or respiratory issues, which may result in more severe symptoms or complications from COVID-19 infection.
Six videos have been published to date and were shared online via Facebook during the period June – December 2020. They are also available to view on the SRI’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpli5pLsh4-vpiHDLfDPvAA/featured).
The videos feature researchers, clinicians and people with SCI, sharing insights on research, the lived experience of spinal cord injury, and the health implications of the pandemic including respiratory health and mental health. The SCI community members involved to date are:
- • Video 1: Rhiannon Tracey, person with spinal cord injury (interviewed by SRI Collaborations Program Manager, Emma Peleg)
- • Video 2: Jason Ellery, person with spinal cord injury (interviewed by SRI CEO, Kristine Hendry)
- • Video 3: Stefania di Paolo, carer for a person with spinal cord injury (interviewed by SRI CEO, Kristine Hendry)
- • Video 4: Dr Diana Dorstyn, psychologist and researcher (interviewed by person with spinal cord injury and SRI Consumer Engagement Lead, Antonio Vecchio)
- • Video 5: Professor David Berlowitz, physiotherapist and researcher (interviewed by person with spinal cord injury and SRI Director, Dr Mario D’Cruz)
- • Video 6: Brooke Wadsworth, physiotherapist and researcher, and Tim McCallum, singer/performer and person with spinal cord injury (interviewed by SRI Collaborations Program Manager, Emma Peleg)