Methodist Rehabilitation Center was selected as one of four nationally recognized rehab institutions to receive a Tier II Multi Year Quality of Life Initiative Grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation.  With these funds, Methodist has established the new Navigator Program for spinal cord injured persons to ease the transition from hospital to home.  Arash Sepehri is care coordinator for the Navigator Program. Sepehri has served for the past six years on the staff of Methodist’s Department of Neuropsychology.  Ways & Means spoke with him about this exciting new program.

What is the Navigator Program and how did it come about?

The purpose is to facilitate the transition of persons who have sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury from inpatient rehabilitation to the home and community settings.  Going home after a long hospital and rehabilitation stay can be an exciting time; however, it can also be a scary time having only yourself and family responsible for all self-care.  The main goal of the Navigator Program is to make this transition as easy as possible.  

This is all made possible by a generous grant by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, which  funds programs supporting spinal cord injury research and rehabilitation.  

 Who does the Navigator Program help?

Our main focus is providing assistance to any person with a spinal cord injury from a trauma—such as a motor vehicle accident, fall, violence, etc.—who are currently receiving inpatient services at Methodist Rehabilitation Center.  We also offer assistance to persons with a long-standing traumatic spinal cord injury who have received Methodist inpatient services in the past, or have recently been seen by one of Methodist’s outpatient rehab physicians.

How are people helped through the program?

Persons with a traumatic spinal cord injury are first approached during their inpatient stay to build rapport and determine their needs. I serve as coordinator, and I work with a team of MRC physicians, therapists, psychologists, social workers and case managers. We then follow these persons for one year following their injury with regular phone or face to face contacts to ensure that they are receiving all the available resources. They are encouraged to contact me any time there is a need or question.  Also, we provide them with education on topics important to life after spinal cord injury.

What do you hope to accomplish?

The broad goal is to empower persons with spinal cord injury to take greater control over their lives, and subsequently have a higher quality of life. Through regular contacts and comprehensive education, we aim to quickly identify resource needs and thus decrease the number of secondary complications. The point is to help remove the barriers and plug in to the resources. 

You mentioned quality of life, tell us more about that.

Sustaining a traumatic spinal cord injury is life changing.  During the early stages of recovery, many will struggle and are not able to see their potential.  By providing encouragement and peer support, we can help them understand that they have the ability to live a long and limitless life.  Many people who have sustained a spinal cord injury continue to be active and accomplish some amazing things. Their lives have changed, but we want them to see that it has not been limited.

You also mentioned secondary complications, how do you help with that?

Education can be the simplest way to avoid secondary complications.  By teaching correct and sanitary self-care practices, we can limit the occurrence of urinary tract infections, autonomic dysreflexia and other complications common with spinal cord injury.  We also facilitate the process to receive a customized wheelchair and cushion in a timely manner to help alleviate the risk for pressure sores.  In addition, by teaching healthy lifestyles and promoting regular physician visits, we perhaps can help prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, blood clots and other illnesses for which  persons with SCI are more susceptible. 

What type of resources are available for persons with spinal cord injuries?

There are many resources available, though the system is disconnected and difficult to access. That’s the point of the Navigator Program, to help navigate those resources. Examples include federally funded programs like Vocational Rehabilitation and the Office of Special Disability Programs. And there are many not-for-profit organizations that can provide assistance.    

Has it been rewarding, fun, frustrating?

This has definitely been a rewarding experience.  Many of the people we help at the inpatient level of care are still dealing with the impact of the injury from a medical, physical and psychological point of view.  If we can help take away some of that burden, then my efforts are worthwhile.  These individuals live with a spinal cord injury for the rest of their lives.  Whatever we can do now to increase their quality of life for many years to come is what we will do!

For more information on the Navigator Program, contact Sepehri at 601-364-3315, or visit www.methodistonline.org/navigatorprogram. For information about the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, visit www.chnfoundation.org.