Recovery Options

Train Your Trainer Program

Consistency and persistence are major in our client recovery. However, not all of our clients are able to attend Project Walk® on a regular basis. Still, the human nervous system needs proper stimulation to heal correctly and if that stimulation is stopped, recovery is hindered. Therefore, Project Walk® has developed an educational program, Train Your Trainer, to teach individuals how to safely and effectively train our clients at their homes or gyms. This program allows our clients to stay at home while getting the proper stimulation to regain function. We supply you and your trainer the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively work your paralyzed body through your personalized program.

Details

The Train Your Trainer program is a one-week intensive educational and training course designed to introduce you and your trainer to The Dardzinski Method™ of spinal cord injury recovery. You and your trainer will be educated on spinal cord injury (SCI), the issues associated with it, and Project Walk® safety guidelines.

The program requires your trainer to attend all of your workout sessions at Project Walk® during your week visit. During this time, you and your trainer will go through the introduction to The Dardzinski Method™, your baseline evaluation, and the development of your individualized home program while under the supervision of a Project Walk® certified SCI Recovery Specialist.

Prior to coming to Project Walk® your trainer must meet the following criteria:

• Read the SCI 101 study guide--a manual that covers the issues associated with SCI and how they are related to Project Walk® ideals
• Take and pass (with 80% proficiency) the SCI 101 exam--a 75-question comprehensive exam on the topics covered in SCI 101
• Read and understand the Project Walk® Safety and Professionalism guidelines

The Program

A one week visit is required for this program. The objective of the week is to effectively educate you and your trainer in your personalized home program.

First Day You will start with an orientation meeting with our Director of Education and Training and your supervising specialist. At this time, we will go over your required paperwork and answer any questions you may have about the program, etc. We will also discuss the agenda for the week.

From here, we will begin the client evaluation and workout with your trainer observing. At this time, your trainer begins safety training.

Day Two Extension of day one where your trainer continues safety training and observes while you workout.

Day Three With your supervising specialist, your trainer will review your individualized home program and discuss its goals, purpose, and safety issues. At this time, your trainer will begin the safety practical exam and working hands-on with you. The Project Walk® staff will begin filming your home program.

Day Four An extension of day three. You will continue to workout and your trainer will continue to review your home program, perform the safety practical exam, and hands-on training. The Project Walk® staff will continue filming your home program.

Day Five By now you will have perfected your workout and your trainer will have completed the required hands-on training and safety practical exam. If necessary, The Project Walk® staff will continue filming your home program.

During the last 30 minutes of your final workout, you and your trainer will meet with the Director of Education and Training along with your supervising specialist. During this meeting, we will review your home program, its goals and purpose, and the safety issues involved. We will also go over the SCI 101 and safety practical exams. You will be provided contact information and a long-term plan can be formulated at this time.

Communication with your trainer and supervising specialist is extremely important. If you have any changes in function, you must let your specialist know. Remember, your program was designed to meet the needs of your nervous system displayed during your week visit. Changes of function must be followed up with an increase in stimulation and demand.

Hiring a Trainer

You will need to hire a very strong individual because your workout program takes place out of your wheelchair. Much of the work is done on the floor and moving from one piece of equipment to another. In addition to a trainer, you will also need someone to help lift and spot on some exercises. This program is very hard on your trainer; fighting spasms and training a dysfunctional nervous system isn’t easy. Because of this, be very careful when you interview trainers. You need to look for someone who believes in you and your goals, and is professional and willing to commit to you for the long haul.

With this program, you are entering into a long-term relationship with your trainer. Be smart and do your homework. You don’t want to hire someone, pay for their training, and have them quit in a month.

Plan for Recovery

Success does not come over night, nor is it easy. Our clients that are regaining function are constant in their workouts. They do the repetitions at home with their trainer on a consistent basis and they return to Project Walk® on a regular schedule. For some clients, return visits are every three months for a week, others come every six months for a week up to three months. The program is different for each individual and their needs. Together we will design a recovery plan specifically for you and your needs. If you stick to it, you will improve your chances of recovering.

Project Walk® is the only center in the world with highly skilled and certified Specialists in The Dardzinski Method™ trained to coach and guide you through your goals and recovery.

If you have any questions on the Train Your Trainer program, please call or email Christel Mitrovich, Director of Education and Training, at (760) 431-3607 or pwinternship@sbcglobal.net