Mount Sinai Spinal Cord Injury Model System
Outpatient Rehabilitation Services

DO IT! PROGRAM - An Outpatient Program for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

The Do It! Program is an outpatient program designed for individuals with SCI. The goal of the program is optimal community reintegration for individuals with SCI. This goal is met by combining individual therapy with informative group sessions, peer mentoring, and individualized life coaching that empower individuals with SCI. Emphasis is placed on health promotion, wellness, and advocacy. Individual physical therapy, occupational therapy, vocational services, and psychology sessions are offered. These are provided according to individual needs.

This program is open to anyone with a spinal cord disorder. In recent years, support from the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, the New York Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, The Alan T Brown Foundation, and The Ethan Ruby Foundation have made possible an array of services and programs normally not available in an outpatient program.

Group Sessions:

• Computer Education - This class teaches basic computer skills including software, Internet e-mail, hardware, and voice dictation.
• Community Integration - This component provides resources, skills, and support to motivate individuals with SCI to become more active participants in the community. Transportation, community resources, money and insurance issues, equipment maintenance, travel, and sports and leisure activities are explored.
• Community Luncheon - This program focuses on socialization between inpatients and outpatients in a relaxed environment. The goal is to provide an environment where discussion and an exchange of ideas can take place on a variety of topics, including - coping skills, nutrition, community accessibility, and others.
• Transitions Group - Provides a forum for individuals with SCI to discuss their feelings regarding the impact of SCI on their lives. The group also provides an opportunity for problem solving, support, and information sharing, and is open to inpatients and outpatients.
• Peak Performance - This class helps individuals learn strategies and exercises to cope with stress, pain, and fear. These techniques focus on decreasing mental and physical reactivity to everyday stressors. By learning to control one's physical reaction to annoying or terrifying events, a person may improve his or her health while conserving mental and physical energy.
• SCI Education - The education program discusses changes the body undergoes with SCI and how to take care of oneself after a SCI. Emphasis is placed on healthy living, health promotion, and problem solving.
• Wheelchair Mobility - Independence and efficiency in basic and high level wheelchair mobility skills, i.e., wheelchair to floor transfers and curb and stair negotiation.
• Transition to Fitness - This program enables individuals to strengthen intact muscles and increase cardiovascular endurance. The goal is to maximize and enhance one's function.
• Psychosocial Group - This group is facilitated by a psychologist who helps participants deal with emotional and psychological issues faced after SCI.
• Peer Support Group - This group is facilitated by a social worker who assists participants with identifying community resources and as well as navigating the system of care and services available to people with SCI.
• Real Problems, Real Solutions - This group is led by people with SCI who have real-life experience dealing with SCI. Group leaders interact with people with recent SCI and work together to provide choices, options and solutions for everyday problems.
• Life Coaching Program - A structured program that identifies goals and barriers in helping participants to move on with their life.

If you are interested in this program or want further information contact:

Laurie Allen Schneider, M.S., Ed, P.T.
Tel: (212) 241-4477