Why is peer support important?

By sharing lived experience, peer support mentors can provide practical guidance and understanding of your experiences with spinal cord injury. A peer support mentor can help you to solve challenges and create strategies that can help you to continue living a fulfilling life after a spinal cord injury.

How do I meet other people who have experienced spinal cord injury?

Ask us about joining a ‘Push Thru’ event, where you can meet other people living with spinal cord injury in your region. These events are inclusive, an opportunity to encourage others, share your experiences in a welcoming environment and be inspired. We also facilitate an inclusive community through our recreation programs and peer support groups.

How can peer support help me?

Peer support can empower you to feel seen and connected. You can learn new skills and strategies, discover new perspectives and provide encouragement to others. Our Peer Support Program gives you someone to talk to who has experienced spinal cord injury.

Emergency planning after spinal cord injury

What to do in common situations

Having a plan for emergencies and unexpected situations can help you feel more prepared, confident, and safe after spinal cord injury.

Whether you’re feeling unwell, experiencing a blocked catheter, dealing with a fall or waiting on support that hasn’t arrived, knowing what steps to take can reduce stress and help you respond quickly when needed.

Every person’s needs and circumstances are different, so it’s important to think ahead about what supports, contacts and backup plans may work best for you.

If you feel unwell or in pain

After spinal cord injury, even mild symptoms can sometimes become serious quickly. If something feels unusual or “not right”, it’s important to seek advice early.

What to do:

Take note of your symptoms and when they started (if it helps, write these down on a piece of paper or put them in your phone)
Contact your GP, urgent care clinic, or another trusted health professional such as a Spinal Nurse Advisor as soon as possible
If symptoms become severe or urgent, call 000 for an ambulance straight away

Seeking help early can help prevent complications and reduce the likelihood of needing emergency hospital treatment.

If you have a fall

Falls can happen at home or in the community, so having a plan in place ahead of time can help you respond safely.

What to do:

First, check yourself for injuries

If you are:

In pain
Bleeding
Dizzy
Unable to move safely

Call an ambulance or use an emergency alert system if available.

If someone is nearby, ask them to assist or call for help on your behalf.

If you are not injured

If you don’t believe you are hurt, assess whether you can safely:

Get back into your chair
Reposition yourself
Access your phone or support

If you need assistance:

Ask someone nearby to help
Direct them clearly on how best to support you
Speak up if a transfer or movement feels uncomfortable or unsafe

It can help to discuss transfer techniques with family, friends or supports before an emergency happens.

Even if you feel okay after a fall, it’s still recommended to see your GP or local urgent care clinic within 24 hours to check for hidden injuries.

Planning ahead for falls

If you live alone or may be without support for extended periods, setting up an emergency plan can provide extra peace of mind.

Some useful strategies include:

Keeping your phone on you at all times
Using a lanyard or wearable phone holder
Using a GPS personal alert pendant
Creating regular check-in routines with family or friends

For example, you may agree that if someone hasn’t heard from you within a certain timeframe, they will contact or visit you.

Personal alert systems can be particularly useful for people living rurally or independently.

For more information on preventing falls during transfers, see our blog post here by Kate, a senior OT at estara.

If you have a blocked catheter

A blocked catheter can become urgent and may lead to serious complications such as Autonomic Dysreflexia if not treated quickly.

What to do:

Ensure there are no kinks in the tubing
Check that leg straps are not restricting flow
Make sure the drainage bag is positioned below your bladder

If drainage still isn’t working:

Contact a Spinal Nurse, GP or healthcare professional as soon as possible
Replace the catheter yourself if you are trained and able to do so

When to seek urgent medical help

Call 000 or attend hospital if:

Your bladder feels full or painful
You are experiencing severe discomfort
You cannot access urgent community nursing support
Symptoms are escalating quickly

When speaking with emergency services, tell them you have a spinal cord injury first, then explain the issue. It’s also important to mention:

Any history of autonomic dysreflexia
Previous catheter complications
Urinary tract infections
Relevant medical history

Providing clear information can help emergency responders better understand your needs.

If your support worker doesn’t arrive

Missed support shifts can be stressful, especially when assistance is needed for personal care, transfers, or medication.

What to do:

If your support worker has not arrived:

Contact the provider organisation after 10–20 minutes
Notify your next of kin or backup support person if needed
Confirm the provider is arranging a replacement worker

Having backup contacts and a contingency plan in place ahead of time can help reduce stress during these situations.

Preparing ahead can improve confidence and safety

While emergencies and unexpected situations can feel overwhelming, having a plan can help you respond more calmly and confidently.

At estara, we work alongside people living with spinal cord injury and disability to support independence, safety and everyday wellbeing through practical supports, peer connection and specialist advice.