The QuadCast

The QuadCast
  • 5.0 (13)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

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 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. S6 E10 - Look Ma No Feet! The Torsten Gross Story

    09/25/2025

    S6 E10 - Look Ma No Feet! The Torsten Gross Story

    So, how many of you out there are the subject of an Amazon Prime Docuseries? Me neither. My guest today, Torsten Gross is, and on today's episode of the QuadCast, you will hear all about it. He is a motivational speaker, brand ambassador, husband, dog dad, chief marketing officer, mountain biker, scuba diver, racecar driver, and did I mention C6 quadriplegic? As if that weren't enough he is also the co-founder of the Just Hands Foundation, which introduces adaptive athletes to performance driving and mountain biking. I caught up with Torsten during an extended pit stop, and our conversation is one you will not soon forget.

    1h 1m
  7. S6 E9 - Maggie Goldberg - President and CEO of The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

    08/16/2025

    S6 E9 - Maggie Goldberg - President and CEO of The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

    I had the wonderful opportunity of speaking with Maggie Goldberg, President and CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, for this week's episode of The QuadCast. Following a C2 injury at 16 years old, one that she fully recovered from thank goodness, Maggie seemed destined to work on behalf of the paralysis community. She started at the Reeve Foundation in 2000, and has held numerous positions over the years: Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Vice President of Policy and Programs, Chief Operating Officer, and in September, 2021, was chosen from a field of more than 200 candidates, as the President and Chief Executive Officer. Maggie, and her team, carry on Christopher's mission of curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. Today's Care. Today's Cure! I so appreciated Maggie's time, and the tireless work she and the Foundation continue to do on behalf of the SCI community. I hope you will enjoy getting to know her in this episode, and that you'll learn something new from it as well. As always, thank you for listening!

    41 min
  8. S6 E8 - A Whole New Era...

    06/26/2025

    S6 E8 - A Whole New Era...

    Erawadi Singh grew up sleeping on a sofa in the living room of her family's one-bedroom apartment in one of New Jersey's most difficult neighborhoods. Determined to give back, she would complete her schoolwork on the floor of her parents' bedroom, earning academic scholarships for higher educational pursuits while working to contribute to school tuition and helping care for her grandmother as she suffered from Alzheimer's dementia. Era earned a fine arts degree from Emerson College in Boston, where she graduated with honors, and then pursued her lifelong interest in medicine. She studied at Touro College (graduated with honors) and then took up residency at the University of Virginia, where she was chief resident and a finalist for the Medical Society of Virginia's doctor of the year in her final year. From there Era went to Yale University, where as a Geriatric Psychiatry fellow she was elected to represent members in training for the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatrists. Unfortunately, her efforts were sidelined by sustaining a thoracic level incomplete spinal cord injury on her graduation day! I had the great pleasure of meeting Era, and her AMAZING parents, at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation last year. I'm thrilled that she has joined me, to tell us the rest of her story. So without further ado, I am proud to present, A Whole New Era…

    57 min
See All (87)

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

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
    87
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The QuadCast
  • Show Website
    The QuadCast