Praxis Spinal Cord Institute

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Praxis Spinal Cord Institute

Praxis is a Canadian-based not-for-profit organization that leads collaboration in spinal cord injury.

10/10/2026

When it comes to acute traumatic spinal cord injury, time matters.

Evidence supports offering decompressive surgery within 24 hours of injury, when medically feasible. Now, collaborative work supported by Praxis is helping translate that evidence into more consistent care across Canada.

In Alberta, Dr. Kiran Pohar Manhas, Dr. Chester Ho, and clinical partners have developed practical tools to support earlier decompression, including a provincial best-practice recommendation, monitoring tools and an acute traumatic SCI pathway.

Meanwhile, from Ontario Dr. Michael Fehlings is leading Code Spine, helping build awareness, education and momentum toward broader adoption of the “Time is Spine” approach.

Together, these efforts show what it takes to move evidence into practice.

Learn more and watch the Time is Spine workshop at the link in our comment below.

10/08/2026

The The International Spinal Cord Society - ISCoS 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting is on now in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

From October 7–10, clinicians, researchers and SCI professionals from around the world will come together to share the latest research, exchange knowledge and explore advances in spinal cord injury care and rehabilitation.

The four-day programme includes scientific sessions, presentations, workshops and opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and collaboration across the global SCI community.

Explore this year’s scientific programme at the link in our comment below.

10/06/2026

“Listen first.”

That was Kevin Penny’s message to future healthcare professionals at a Praxis SCI Clinical Education workshop at Dalhousie University.

Around 75 students took part in the session, learning from clinicians and people living with spinal cord injury about the realities of life beyond diagnosis and treatment.

Kevin, who has lived with SCI since 1991, spoke about the importance of recognizing people with lived experience as experts in their own lives and care.

It’s a principle at the centre of Praxis’ approach to SCI Clinical Education. By bringing clinical expertise and lived experience into the same conversation, future healthcare professionals can develop a deeper understanding of the people they will one day care for.

Read the story at the link in our comment below.

10/05/2026

Research can change what we know. Implementation changes what happens next.

The latest edition of Solutions: SCI Impact in Action, the Praxis newsletter, looks at the people, research and partnerships helping move SCI knowledge and innovation into practice.

Inside, explore advances in nerve transfer surgery, efforts to strengthen timely SCI care across Canada, clinical education shaped by lived experience, innovations designed for everyday use, and more.

Read the latest edition at the link in our comment below.

09/30/2026

On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we take time to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, remember the children who never returned home, and reflect on the ongoing impacts of residential schools and the work of reconciliation.

At Praxis, building meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities is an important part of our work to improve health outcomes and quality of life for people living with spinal cord injury. Our Indigenous engagement efforts focus on listening and learning, understanding lived experiences, and creating opportunities for Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and priorities to help inform SCI research, care, and innovation.

This work is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting a more inclusive and culturally responsive SCI ecosystem that reflects the strengths, priorities, and needs of Indigenous communities.

Today, we encourage our community to take time to listen, learn, reflect, participate in local events, and engage with Indigenous voices and resources that deepen understanding and support reconciliation.

Learn more about Praxis' approach to Indigenous engagement and our ongoing work at the link in our comment below.

09/29/2026

Astek Diagnostics came from personal experience of a healthcare gap.

After founder and CEO Mustafa Al-Adhami watched his grandfather wait days for tests to identify the right treatment for a urinary tract infection, the mechanical engineer turned his attention to developing a faster way to treat UTIs.

That led to the Jiddu, a diagnostic platform designed to test antibiotic sensitivity in one hour, enabling faster identification of effective UTI treatments.

Many persons living with spinal cord injury (SCI) have neurogenic bladder, experiencing several UTIs each year. Through Praxis‘ SCI Accelerator, Astek sustained conversations with persons living with SCI that challenged assumptions the team hadn’t recognized.

These lived experience insights helped Astek better understand the different ways people manage chronic UTIs, shaping its market entry so that it meets the needs of a wider community.

Read how lived experience helped reshape Astek’s product strategy at the link in our comment below.

09/25/2026

As the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approaches on September 30, we encourage our community to take time to learn, reflect, and deepen understanding of the ongoing impacts of colonialism in Canada.

At Praxis, we recognize that advancing equitable health care and improving outcomes for people living with spinal cord injury requires listening to and learning from Indigenous Peoples, communities, and experiences.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has compiled a series of Lunch & Learn sessions that explore the history and ongoing impacts of colonialism, while highlighting perspectives and conversations that support continued learning on the path toward reconciliation.

Explore the Lunch & Learn videos at the link in our comment below.

09/24/2026

Some ventures start with a market opportunity. Limitless Device started with founder Alessio Sansò’s lived experience as both a wheelchair user and physiotherapist.

Alessio envisioned a wheelchair that brings together standing functionality, ergonomic performance and contemporary design. Through the Praxis SCI Accelerator, Limitless tested its vision with people with lived experience and experts across the SCI community, bringing a broader range of perspectives into product development.

The feedback helped the team challenge their assumptions, refine the product and identify new opportunities for its development. Limitless demonstrates how lived experience can inspire an idea, and how broader perspectives can shape it into a stronger, more responsive product.

Read the growth story at the link in our comment below.

09/22/2026

At the Increase BC 2026 Conference this year, attendees got an early look at a new project led by Dr. Femke Hoekstra and her lab, in partnership with Praxis, exploring how person centred care is being used for people with spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury.

The team is reviewing more than 80 research papers to understand what this care looks like, the outcomes people and providers report, and what helps or gets in the way of putting it into practice.

The goal is clearer guidance for care teams and better coordinated care for people living with SCI and TBI.

What does person-centred care mean to you?

09/18/2026

There’s a story behind every impact.

Across research, care, innovation, and lived experience, meaningful work is happening every day to move spinal cord injury knowledge and ideas forward.

Praxis Impact Stories take a closer look at that work, the people behind it, and what it can mean for the SCI community.

These are stories we’re proud to share because they show what progress looks like when research, collaboration, and promising ideas are put into action.

Explore Praxis impact stories at the link in our comment below.

Address

6200-818 W 10th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5Z1M9

Telephone

+16048272421

Website

https://praxisinstitute.org/

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