Act Now: Ask your Representative to support the PRC!

Email Sign Up email signup icon
Connect Now chat icon
National Paralysis Resource Center
Connect
Home Today's Care Get Support Find a Peer Mentor

Find a Peer Mentor

We offer free mentoring to anyone seeking help. Our Peer Mentors will provide answers and support, share what they have learned, and help you overcome challenges.
Whether you are newly paralyzed, have been living with paralysis for years, or are a family member or caregiver, we have a peer mentor who knows what you are going through.

Request a Peer Mentor

Give Us a Call

Our Peer & Family Support Coordinators are available Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm ET. You can also leave a message, if you are calling after hours.

Call 1-800-539-7309

Schedule a Call

Schedule a call with a Peer & Family Support Coordinator at a convenient time.

Arrange a Call

Send Us a Question

A Peer & Family Support Coordinator will respond as soon as possible.

Submit a Question

What happens after I apply?

1. We contact you

  • A Peer & Family Support Program Coordinator will reach out to you to have a quick chat, to make sure we really understand your needs.

2. We match you

  • We find the right mentor for you, one that you can relate to whether you are living with paralysis or are a family member/caregiver.

3. You have a mentor

  • Your mentor will reach out, and you will decide how frequently you and your mentor will meet and how you will communicate. Then, you decide what to talk about.

Meet People Just Like You.

Our Peer Mentors are living with paralysis or caring for someone living with paralysis and understand what you are going through.

John C., 59

Location: Ohio

Injury or relation: Spinal cord injury, C3-C6 incomplete for 8 years

Find out More

Addis, 27

Location: Texas

Injury or relation: Spinal cord injury, T4 for 11 years

Find out More

Jon Price

Location: Hawai’i

Injury or relation: Spinal cord injury, C2 Incomplete for 5 years

Find out More

Sandra, 53

Location: Ohio/Michigan

Injury or relation: Spouse and caregiver

Find out More
Meet more of our mentors

More About Peer Mentorship

Program Overview

For people living with paralysis and their family members or caregivers, learning to navigate their changing world can be challenging and overwhelming at times.

Learn More

Testimonials

Together we empower people living with paralysis to achieve a healthy and full life.

Read Testimonials

Partner With Us

The best way to expand our reach is to partner with existing mentoring programs in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other organizations.

Partner With Us

FAQs

What is a peer mentor?

  • A peer mentor is someone just like you. They’ve asked the same questions and faced similar challenges to you. They may not have the answers to all of your questions, but they will listen and provide a perspective that only someone that lives with those challenges can provide.

What kind of mentor will I be matched with?

  • We work hard to match you with the right person. We consider level of injury/ level of function, cause of paralysis, age, gender ethnicity, veteran status, and your interests and type of question(s) or issue(s). If you are a family member/caregiver, we match you with a mentor caring for someone in a similar situation.

What kinds of things will we talk about?

  • It’s up to you. If you’re living with paralysis, you might want to discover what your possibilities are, or how to reach your goals. You may have questions about things like gaining confidence, going back to school or work, starting a family or about adaptive activities, durable medical equipment, or secondary conditions. As a family member/caregiver you might want to know how to handle your new normal, maintain the relationship, take care of yourself or where to find resources.

What if there are no mentors near me?

  • Many of the best matches occur between people that are miles a part. If we do not have a peer mentor in your area that matches you well, we will match you with a peer mentor within our national network who will work with you. Our mentors and peers speak over the phone or use Facetime, email, texting, even direct messaging. It is really up to you to determine the best way for you to communicate.

What happens after I’m matched?

  • Your mentor will reach out, and then you take it from there. You decide what you talk about, how often you talk, and how you talk. Your mentor is there for the initial communication(s) and down the road as well. Your mentor understands that you may reach out in the future when you want to talk, have an issue, are starting something new in your life, or anything else.

Download our Peer & Family Support Program brochure.

Back to top