CPA's National Peer Support Program continues a tradition more than half a century in the making.
“Members helping members” through peer support is a philosophy that has been passed down through hundreds of Canadian Paraplegic Association counsellors over the course of five decades. The Association was originally established in 1945 by a group of spinal cord injured veterans who refused to languish in veterans’ hospitals. These pioneers believed that paraplegics and quadriplegics could, with adequate encouragement and support, overcome their initial challenges and return to independence and full-time employment. Through innovation and an extensive peer support network, they proved this to be true. Their legacy and their vision has carried on. Recently, CPA renewed its comittment to peer support, and subsequent funding from a national foundation, a National Peer Support Program has been established. This program is well on its way to harnessing the talents of a group of Canadians who have the power to provide a truly unique service of peer support that goes well beyond the traditional mentoring role. With the funding provided, CPA will have a “peer presence” in ten provinces with resources and support available to work effectively with local peer volunteers. These local programs will mobilize and empower people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in a range of activities: as spokespeople; as educators; as advocates and as peer supporters. In the short term, the program will empower hundreds of peer volunteers to act as mentors and role models, providing support where it is most acutely needed--in the early stages of injury. It will also create ongoing opportunities for career advancement and funding for career development. Over time, it’s expected that the peer volunteer program will have a profound impact on the entire community of Canadians with SCI. A peer--properly trained, properly matched and professionally supported--is a unique and beneficial element in the rehabilitation process. The concept behind the program is to connect those newly injured with a peer volunteer, or “someone who has been there and understands.” This positive role model and mentor offers listening, understanding and experience. The volunteer is trained to provide supportive feedback, but not opinion; support, but not counselling. The peer volunteer also works with professional counselling staff and families to help move the rehabilitation process along and help the newly injured person adjust to life after SCI. It doesn’t end there. The connection between the peer volunteer and the newly injured person can be beneficial many years after onset. Living with a SCI can be a life-long adjustment and individuals have the need for support at various times in their life for various reasons. The program welcomes volunteer supporters of all ages and recognizes the wealth of experience that older, more “seasoned” volunteers can bring to the program. In May of 2000, the McConnell Foundation committed $1.1 million over a five year period to jump start a National Peer Support Program. The broad goals of the program are to revitalize the participation of peers, provide greater reach to persons with SCI, expand CPA’s services to more people, and provide work opportunities for persons with SCI. Over the next five years, we expect the program will concentrate on enhancing the number of individuals with SCI working within the Association and provide Peer Support as a sustainable core service. Are you interested in finding out how you can offer your expertise as a peer? Or are you someone who could benefit from the experience of relating to a peer? If so, call your local CPA office.
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