The Peer-Mentor Project
The purpose of the Peer-Mentor Project is to assist Schwab in their efforts to meet the needs of
patients with new spinal cord injuries (SCI) by training and employing past patients with SCI to serve as peer-mentors
to these patients. This program was originally designed for a specific group of individuals with violently-acquired
spinal cord injuries. During the time the program was developed violence had become the second leading cause of spinal
cord injury. Further, research has found that those who sustain spinal cord injuries as a result of violence are more
likely to be young men from ethnic minority groups from urban areas who have a history of low educational attainment
and few employment experiences. Due to these characteristics, as well as an accompanying lack of opportunity, these
patients are in need of services that are not traditionally provided by rehabilitation hospitals. In 2004 we expanded
the program to meet the needs of individuals with SCI, regardless of
injury etiology. The program includes a Peer Mentor Coordinator and four peer-mentors. Peer-mentors work ten hours
per week and have a caseload of about 5 mentees at a time. The Peer-Mentor Coordinator is a full-time position, as this
person provides direct mentoring services to mentees and supervises the other peer mentors as well. Peer-mentors begin
working with patients when they are brought into the rehabilitation hospital and then continue to see them after their
discharge to ensure that they are able to function within their communities. Their relationships develop according to
the specific needs of each mentee, though mentors are focused on helping mentees identify and set goals relevant to their
progress. The peer mentor share information with the mentees and support them based on their personal experience with a
spinal cord injury. Within this unique mentoring relationship, mentees feel more comfortable discussing personal issues
with their mentors, like sexuality, than with a healthcare professional who does not share the same personal experience
of having a disability.
Funding sources: Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
The John R. Houlsby Foundation
Mentor Inc.
Contact information:
Mentor Program Coordinator
Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital
1401 S. California Blvd.
Chicago, IL. 60608
P: (773) 522-5869
F: (773) 522-6650
E: extendedservices@sinai.org
|
