SCIO Community

Wellness

  • Summer 2020

In Pursuit of Freedom and Dignity

How BD Canada and SCIO partner together to improve lives.

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  • Summer 2020

Silver Lining

Our world has drastically changed over the past five months. And so too have our eating habits....
  • Spring 2020

Nutrition and COVID-19

Staying healthy, washing your hands and social distancing are on all our minds right now. Over the past several weeks, I have also been inundated with questions on what are the best foods and vitamins to help support the immune system. Immune support during this time is critical to...
  • Spring 2020

Wheelchair Fitness

Using a wheelchair every day can be physically exhausting with time and, without proper stretching and exercises, there is risk of complications such as diabetes, weight gain, joint pain or cardiovascular disease. That’s why it’s important to maintain a consistent routine, one you can benefit from long term....
  • Spring 2020

Let’s Hang Out (When we can.)

Charles Camilleri was born in Mosta, Malta, and, in December 1955, when he was 10, his family immigrated to Canada....
  • Spring 2020

The importance of being connected

Research and personal experience tell us that people living with a physical disability experience greater social isolation than the general population. With a health threat like COVID-19, isolation increases even further. This can add mental strain as we worry about our health and that of our friends and community....
  • Winter 2020

Food for Thought

I’ve had the pleasure of being the nutrition columnist at Community magazine for 11 years now....
  • Winter 2020

Look after your health this winter

The colder months can be rough for everyone, regardless of mental or physical health. It’s important to be proactive in trying to keep those seasonal blues at bay, so here are five tips and tricks to help you look after your mind, body and soul this winter....
  • Winter 2020

Life with an SCI: Exploring your Sexuality

Sexuality is about who we are, our gender, identity, orientation and how we interact with the world. One’s sexuality does not change after a spinal cord injury; you remain a sexual being with wants, desires, thoughts and needs....
  • Fall 2019

Roadmap to Recovery: Coming soon

We are incredibly excited to introduce a new SCIO publication due out early 2020. Roadmap to Recovery is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and written by Julie Sawchuk, published author, speaker, former SCIO client and Peer Support Volunteer in her Southwestern Ontario community....
  • Fall 2019

The skinny on skin health

We are excited to launch the revised edition of our Pressure Sore Guide....
  • Fall 2019

Enhance your mood with food

We all know that eating well optimizes our physical health and supports our brain function. However, most people don’t realize the influence food can have on our mood....
  • Summer 2019

Dietary Detective

Dietary fads used to come and go every decade or so. The 60s were all about Weight Watchers and the Macrobiotic Diet, until the Grapefruit and Scarsdale Diets took over in the 70s. These were replaced by the Cabbage Soup and Liquid Diets in the 80s until the Low...
  • Spring 2019

Evening exercise will not ruin sleep and might even reduce appetite

Must cook dinner. Need to pick the kids up from school. Have to catch up on my favourite TV series. Live too far from the gym. Any of these sound familiar?...
  • Spring 2019

Our brains indicate how well depression will respond to treatment

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the commonest illness among adults and its treatment presents a huge challenge to medicine. Although effective antidepressants are now available, they fail to achieve the desired success in a significant percentage of patients....
  • Spring 2019

“Dry Needling”: A Useful Tool for SCI Pain and Dysfunction

You may have heard the term “dry needling” over the past few years and understandably wondered what the term means. The word “dry” indicates that there is no substance injected, just the insertion of a needle. In trained hands, it is a valuable form of treatment for myofascial pain...
  • Spring 2019

How Do We Know What Makes Us Happy?

Our desires are shaped by watching others more than we think....
  • Spring 2019

Five Tips to Get Through Your Midday Slump

We have all felt it. After lunchtime, you’re lethargic, tired, and constantly checking the clock waiting for the day to be over. But, fear not! Your day will no longer be ruined by the afternoon lull. Here are some quick tips to avoid the midday slump and allow you...
  • Spring 2019

Sweet Exposure

Oh, how we love sugar. It tastes great, makes us feel good and gives us an extra kick to help get us through the day. But be careful!...
  • Winter 2019

Laura Beard’s Journey

Acupuncture can make a difference and so can character....
  • Living well, Recipes, Winter 2019

Skip the Detox

Nutritionist Joanne Smith warns against unhealthy detox diets and recommends some liver-loving foods to cleanse the system from the inside out...