Naz PT Students EMPOWERing Others

Empower by Meg Bateman '19, '21G and Reilly Smyth '19, '21G

Reilly (left) and Meg (right) on the beach

We had a remarkable experience volunteering at Empower Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in July 2019. Empower SCI is a non-for-profit that specializes in rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries. Their goal is to help patients live independent and fulfilling lives.

Empower was designed to bridge rehabilitation services for individuals with SCI due to cutbacks in insurance coverage and decreased length of stay allowances in rehabilitation hospitals. The founders, Carinne Callahan, Jessica Goodine, and Elizabeth Lima Remillard, created their vision of a residential rehabilitation program that was “holistic, client-centered, and one that invested in an individual’s right to live, not merely to survive following a spinal cord injury”. The pilot program was launched in the summer of 2012 at Stony Brook University on Long Island. They recently expanded their program to Montana in 2019. However, due to COVID, the program has transitioned online since 2020. 

Empower accepts two dozen individuals with SCI. The program focuses on physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, peer mentoring, counseling, and dialogue between individuals who are going through similar experiences and challenges. 

Gina, our wonderful PT secretary, sent an email about Empower to us during the Spring semester of 2019. Meg and I were in our first year of grad school. We both had experience with SCI working with the local quad rugby team, Western New York Wreckers. I remember thinking it looked interesting, so I figured why not fill out an application. Best decision I ever made!

My Dad was amazing and drove us from Rochester to Long Island for the 2-week program to have this unique experience. Meg and I volunteered as residential aides to assist with all mobility and daily self-care needs throughout the day. We were assigned one of three shifts. The AM consisted of: wake up, morning routine, breakfast, therapy, and lunch. The PM consisted of: afternoon therapy, dinner, and bed routine. Participants had daily PT and OT in addition to individual and group counseling sessions. Because we are PT students, we observed PT session and learned more about bed and wheelchair transfers.

The best days were the recreation days! Over the 2 weeks, we helped the participants take part in adaptive cycling, canoeing, and surfing (that’s right, I said surfing). We cycled around the campus together with a specially designed bike for them. One of the participants who was our age, turned to me with tears in her eyes and said, “I never felt so free”. A surreal moment for me. 

Watching the surfing was breathtaking. The sky was crystal clear blue and a perfect day for the beach. We transferred the participants to laying on the surfboard. We watched the patients transform from being nervous and apprehensive to smiling from ear to ear. After, we hoisted them out to the water. 

Every year there is an Empower Gala Ball for raising money. Meg and I went with a nurse who volunteered with us and works at Strong. We stayed with a participant and his family in Boston. After this experience, we both have a strong desire to work with the SCI population. Meg also actively volunteers with the WNY Wreckers. 

The Gratitude Gala celebrates successful programs
changed lives, and raise funds for future Empower, SCI 
programs.

Everyone who worked there previously said, “Once you drink the kool-aid you'll be forever hooked”. We were confused by this until we realized it was the experience you get hooked on. The deep bonds we formed over 2 weeks were indescribable. Meg and I learned the importance of perseverance and to appreciate the little things. The participants, volunteers, and therapists all have a special place in our hearts. 

Interested in learning more about Empower, SCI? Learn more about their mission and programs.