The QuadCast

The QuadCast
  • 5.0 (13)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
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My name is John McAleavey, and on August 19, 1992 I suffered a Central Cord Syndrome injury to my cervical spine at the C-3/4 level following a fall down my basement steps. I was told early on that no two SCI’s are the same, and while that may be true, many of the struggles we're left with are. So let's talk about them. The QuadCast Podcast is mainly aimed at the disabled community, but is really for ANYONE looking to be inspired. You'll hear from fellow SCI'ers, to highlight their personal stories of struggle and triumph, doctors, therapists, and others who work on behalf of our community to share any new developments or breakthroughs in the fight. I hope that by talking/sharing/commiserating/LAUGHING, we will fully understand that no one is alone in this. Think of the QuadCast as a 30 to 45 minute session of OT/PT for the soul!

  1. S7 E5 - Attitude Is Everything, Featuring Ian Mackay

    MAY 1

    S7 E5 - Attitude Is Everything, Featuring Ian Mackay

    Ian Mackay is my guest on the latest edition of The QuadCast. He chronicles his journey from growing up in beautiful San Diego county to how he endured his life-changing cycling accident. In spite of his SCI, Ian has truly made his mark on the world. You'll learn how he worked with Apple on their iPhone's voice recognition system, which not only impacted his independence and connection to nature, but opened amazing opportunities for the entire disabled community. He battled years of depression until finding a way to get outside again. Ian began traveling bike paths in his local area of Port Angeles, WA and kept going just a little farther. In 2016 he rode his power wheelchair across the state of Washington from North to South. The 2016 Ride garnered a great deal of media attention, and Ian became a spokesperson, encouraging the mobility challenged to get outside and advocating for outdoor accessibility - complete, connected trails and routes for ALL abilities. Ian's Ride was born, and today his non-profit has many events on their schedule. Takeaways Adaptation to life-changing circumstancesImpact of mobile technology on independence Accessibility technology empowers independenceOutdoor adventures for people with disabilitiesCommunity impact of nonprofit organization Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Childhood05:59 Hobbies and Cycling Accident12:12 Rehabilitation and Mental Health18:00 Mental Struggle and Recovery25:53 Working with Apple on Accessibility Technology32:07 Creating a Nonprofit Organization and Community Impact

    50 min
  2. The Status And Momentum of SCI Research Funding, With Matthew Rodreick, Executive Director of U2FP

    APR 20

    The Status And Momentum of SCI Research Funding, With Matthew Rodreick, Executive Director of U2FP

    The latest episode of The 3 Men & A SCI Podcast has dropped. In this edition, John McAleavey, Barry Munro, and Sasha Rabchevsky, had the pleasure of speaking with Matthew Roderick, Executive Director of The Unite 2 Fight Paralysis Foundation. Their conversation delves into the SCI landscape, the impact of advocacy and activism, understanding the difference between the two, engaging the SCI community in advocacy, and the importance of data and statistics in driving change and policy decisions. They discuss the issue of data inaccuracy in public health and highlight the need for more accurate and comprehensive data to address the challenges faced by the SCI community. Also emphasized is the importance of community engagement and informed hope in spinal cord injury research and advocacy. Takeaways Advocacy vs. ActivismThe Need for Data and Statistics Data InaccuracyCommunity Engagement Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Unite to Fight Paralysis Foundation07:44 Impact of Advocacy and Activism18:23 Engaging the SCI Community in Advocacy25:48 The Importance of Data and Statistics30:58 Data Inaccuracy and Public Health45:03 Informed Hope and Community Engagement

    56 min
  3. S7 E4 - Here And Now, With Kenny Salvini

    APR 6

    S7 E4 - Here And Now, With Kenny Salvini

    Kenny Salvini is my guest on the latest edition of the QP. Following his spinal cord injury, the result of a skiing accident, he took six years to process his new life/situation. However, meeting a fellow quad, one who had been injured for many years and was married, showed him what was still possible. Kenny is now married himself, has a young daughter, and is the cofounder of the Here and Now Project. Their mission is to connect and empower people living with spinal cord injuries and other mobility disabilities in the Pacific Northwest. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Kenny better, and I think you will too. Takeaways Active ChildhoodImpact of Spinal Cord InjuryRecovery and Rehabilitation Community SupportEmpowerment Chapters 00:00 Childhood Adventures and Activities08:31 The Life-Altering Accident18:05 Recovery and Rehabilitation Journey25:07 Journey of Empowerment38:01 Events and Fundraisers44:49 Personal Reflections and Future Plans

    53 min
  4. S7 E3 - "I Don't Get Better To Live Life, I Live Life To Get Better"!

    MAR 21

    S7 E3 - "I Don't Get Better To Live Life, I Live Life To Get Better"!

    The latest episode of the QP features an amazing young man, Owen Weiss. He is a wheelchair athlete, educator, and storyteller, whose life changed after a rare spinal Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) led to three spinal surgeries. He recovered fully from the first two, but following the third (after walking himself into the operating room), he woke unable to move his legs, and with major loss of sensation from the waist down. Today, Owen is an active wheelchair tennis player, a paraprofessional working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, and the creator of his signature speech "You Always Have a Choice", where he shares the mindset and lessons he developed while rebuilding his life after paralysis. Owen's story offers a meaningful foundation for conversations about resilience, adaptation, independence, and personal agency in the face of sudden change. Takeaways Spinal Cord Injury Medical Journey Sensory perception differences in individuals with spinal cord injuries Challenges of transitioning from inpatient care to home life Impact of language deprivation Transition to wheelchair tennis Adaptive sports programs and scholarships Future goals and aspirations Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Mutual Friend 05:09 Inclusivity and Sign Language 11:14 Return of Symptoms and Third Surgery 16:20 Complexity of Spinal Cord Injury 22:25 Hospital Stay and Sensory Experience 29:00 Impact of Age on Rehabilitation Experience 35:49 Perspective Shift and Return to Education 41:26 Discovering the Role of a Paraprofessional 52:11 Adaptive Sports Programs and Scholarships

    1h 2m
  5. S7 E2 Thank You For Your Service

    FEB 9

    S7 E2 Thank You For Your Service

    Terry McGhee's life has been defined by service; service to his family, his fellow soldiers/officers, and his country. He was kind enough to chronicle all of this and much more in the latest episode of the QP. You'll learn about Terry's childhood and upbringing, his career in the NYPD, involvement in counterterrorism operations, and the life-changing spinal cord injury he sustained during a deployment overseas. Terry highlights his journey of recovery and rehabilitation, his return to work, his role in a significant investigation and conviction, retirement and family life. Takeaways Dedication to service and communityTransition from military service to law enforcementImpact of injury on life and perspective Recovery and rehabilitation are aided by strong support systems.Returning to work and the support received are crucial for individuals recovering from injuries.Investigative work and convictions play a significant role in law enforcement and justice.Retirement and family life bring new challenges and opportunities for individuals.The hypothetical scenario of being able-bodied again reveals personal desires and aspirations. Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of Service06:59 Boxing and Physical Strength14:55 Career in the NYPD19:58 Counterterrorism Operations and Injury27:59 Recovery and Rehabilitation34:14 Returning to Work and Support41:53 Investigation and Conviction47:27 Retirement and Family Life

    54 min
  6. S7 E1 Vanessa's Voice Speaks Volumes

    FEB 1

    S7 E1 Vanessa's Voice Speaks Volumes

    Vanessa Osman is a voice-over artist, actress, model, writer, peer-mentor, quadriplegic, and my guest ,on the very first episode of 2026. She is a dynamo, I can't wait for you to hear her story!

    55 min
  7. 3 MEN & A SCI - S1 E2 - The Bladder Diaries

    12/01/2025

    3 MEN & A SCI - S1 E2 - The Bladder Diaries

    The boys are back! Barry Munro, John McAleavey, and Sasha Rabchevsky, three men with over 100 years of lived experience with spinal cord injury, have teamed up to share our knowledge on all things SCI related. Today's episode is dedicated to bladder management. We chronicle how each of us manages our situation (they're completely different), while also highlighting areas of need, concern, hope, and progress on the horizon, regarding this extremely important topic for the entire community.

    47 min
  8. 3 MEN & A SCI - A Day In The Life...

    10/06/2025

    3 MEN & A SCI - A Day In The Life...

    Welcome to 3 Men & A SCI — where lived experience challenges convention, and science meets reality. We’re Barry Munro, John McAleavey, and Sasha Rabchevsky — three men living with chronic spinal cord injury, and who’ve spent decades immersed in the world of SCI: as researchers, advocates, educators, and survivors. This podcast was born from a simple truth: those living with SCI are too often talked about — but rarely listened to. We’ll explore real-world issues: the good, the frustrating, the unspoken. From acute trauma to chronic care. From bladder and bowel management to the everyday realities of spasms, pain, and pressure sores. We’ll discuss strategies — not just symptoms — and invite second opinions where the system shuts doors. We’re here to talk with you — not at you. To inform, not dictate. And most of all, to bring the spinal cord injury community back to the center of its own story. On this our very first episode, we will take you through… A day in the life. 3 men with 3 completely different approaches to their day; and yet somehow through it all, we get the job done!

    42 min
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out of 5
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About

My name is John McAleavey, and on August 19, 1992 I suffered a Central Cord Syndrome injury to my cervical spine at the C-3/4 level following a fall down my basement steps. I was told early on that no two SCI’s are the same, and while that may be true, many of the struggles we're left with are. So let's talk about them. The QuadCast Podcast is mainly aimed at the disabled community, but is really for ANYONE looking to be inspired. You'll hear from fellow SCI'ers, to highlight their personal stories of struggle and triumph, doctors, therapists, and others who work on behalf of our community to share any new developments or breakthroughs in the fight. I hope that by talking/sharing/commiserating/LAUGHING, we will fully understand that no one is alone in this. Think of the QuadCast as a 30 to 45 minute session of OT/PT for the soul!

Information

  • Creator
    The QuadCast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The QuadCast
  • Show Website
    The QuadCast

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