Supporting At-Home SCI Rehab Programs

Best practices for partners to assist SCI athletes in at-home therapy

Watch the workshop trailer:

SCI athletes: Are you looking for better ways to help direct your helper when doing exercises at home?

SCI caretakers & partners: Are you interested in learning better ways to support your SCI athlete while keeping your body safe?

...then we have the perfect opportunity for you!

This workshop will show you and your partner/friend/family member how to effectively move together through rehab routines at home.

As an SCI athlete working to get beneficial movement at home, you may have to ask your partner, family member, caretaker or friend (“partner”) to assist with your exercises.

This can be frustrating and awkward, and might break boundaries you previously set for those relationships. Turning your assisted at-home rehab into a collaborative, positive and safe experience for both of you is essential for any sustainable rehab effort.

As an SCI athlete and trainer duo, the Zebrafish team will discuss the process of discovering new ways of moving together , and facilitating that process as a partner: where and when to help, how to effectively communicate requirements for support, and proper body positioning to stay safe.

We recommend that you work through the practical section of this course as SCI athlete + partner so you can practice the movements and spotting together.

Through this workshop, you will:

  • Understand the value of parter-assisted rehab and how it fits in with the big picture of SCI recovery
  • Learn how to effectively cue movement for anyone with limited sensation and/or motor control
  • Practice how, when and where to provide physical support during floor-based exercises
  • Explore safe body-positioning for essential assistance in transfers to and from the floor, and during floor-based exercises

This course was recorded during a live workshop, so there are some transitions as we worked with our live audience.


"It was such an insightful session that truly open my eyes to so many possibilities. I'm pretty new to this lifestyle, and cannot thank you two enough for spending so much time on your book and creating Zebrafish because this information is vital."

- Katarina F.

"Stephanie’s comfortable ability to give instruction to both Conner and me is truly impressive. Over zoom, she is able to verbally elicit functional improvements in Conner’s movements while instructing me in the best ways to work with his body. Since working with Stephanie, we have both gained confidence and the skills necessary to help Conner further his recovery."

- Jane M., Portland, OR

"This course helped me begin working towards recovery after a long period of depression and hopelessness. Since first watching this workshop I’ve gotten on the mat a minimum of 3x a week. My daily outlook on life has improved immeasurably, I feel physically stronger and more confident than I have since my accident and I’m looking forward to building a strong foundation for lasting progress."

- Laura Lee Tharp, C6 SCI athlete

Course Curriculum


  1 Introduction
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days after you enroll
  2 The value of...
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  3 Partnerships
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Frequently Asked Questions


How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for one year - across any and all devices you own.
What if we can't transfer to the floor?
We'll be showing a few ways to transfer to and from the floor in the workshop that we encourage you to try out! You may surprise yourselves. :) Of course, we only want you to do what you are comfortable with: a bed or other large flat surface works.
What equipment/props do we need?
Some partners may find that a few yoga blocks or a gait belt/sling is helpful in these floor transfers. You can also use a large pillow, some sort of low step stool or low ottoman. We'll also be showing a few exercises using this ball, but you can also use a pillow.
We have never done work like this together. Is this a good workshop for us?
Yes, this is exactly the workshop for you! One of our objectives is to give you the tools and confidence to begin working together, if you haven't already.

Your Instructor


Theo & Stephanie
Theo & Stephanie

We have cultivated a working relationship around communication, collaboration, and openness to discovery since 2014. Through our shared journey in neuro-rehab – for one, that is recovery, and the other, professional growth – we have together developed an understanding of the process of reconnection, and ways to facilitate healing.