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Mount SCI Member Spotlight Series: Sang Lan

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Meet Former Gymnast and Disability Advocate Sang Lan

 

Sang Lan achieved excellence in gymnastics at a young age. She was one of China’s strongest vaulters winning the 1991 Zhejiang Province Championships and placing second  at the 1995 Chinese Nationals. In 1998, during a routine warm-up vault at the Goodwill Games, Sang landed on her head and sustained a complete cervical SCI. Sang remained in New York City for almost a year, receiving rehabilitation at our Spinal Cord Program at Mount Sinai Hospital. Twenty years later, she is a college graduate, a mother, a news media figure, and a advocate for the Chinese disability community. This past month we were fortunate to reconnect with Sang and talk about her life post-injury.
What do you most remember about your time at Mount Sinai Rehab?
“I was in Mount Sinai rehabilitation for about 10 months in 1998. That was the luckiest thing that had happen in my life even though I was facing a lot of adversity at the time. At Mount Sinai, I met with Dr. Kristjan T. Ragnarsson, my attending doctor, and many enthusiastic therapists and nurses. This is not only the place where I started my new life, but also the place that led me to understand the preciousness of life. It gave me a solid foundation for becoming a wife and mother. Therefore, my life in Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Center was one of my best and deepest memories.”
Immediately following rehab, how were you able to transition back into the community?
“Increasing my confidence. I tried to be healthier and more positive. In the meantime, I also actively participate in community activities, I think it was very important.”
What type of Advocacy work are you involved in?
“I am an advocate for people with disabilities in China. I focus on our rights to have a barrier free society including in education and protection for retired athletes in China.”
What are you passionate about now?
After injury, I became the Ambassador for Beijing’s bidding for 2008 Olympics. I joined in a lot of charitable events related to physical education and people with disabilities. In 2002, I majored in broadcast journalism in School of Journalism and Communication in Peking University, I graduated in 2007.  Afterwards, became the host of my own show, Sang Lan Olympics 2008 on Star TV.  I am currently the Vice President in the Chinese Sports Committee and an advocate for improving conditions and protecting rights for athletes.  
You seem to have a positive outlook post injury, what advice would you give to others who are recently injured on transitioning back into the community?
I hope they can understand that they didn’t lose everything because they are still alive! In the meantime, they need to keep a positive attitude and strive keep fighting and believe that they can overcome. Also, Keep smiling. Not only will it make everyone around you happier and hopeful, but it also provides confidence within yourself to face the future. Nothing is more important than life and we all need to treasure that. Many people feel depressed and think that they have lost everything, however, the truth is that they still can be happier through hard work. The key is to not give up, instead manage your life and make it more colorful and wonderful!
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Spinal Cord Injury Research Community Fair

On June 4th, 2018 The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai hosted a  Spinal Cord Injury Research Fair, where everyone from the community was invited to learn about the latest Spinal Cord Injury research and  find out about currently-recruiting research studies in the metropolitan area.  Spinal Cord Injury community groups were also present. We would like to thank all attendees for coming and all research organizations that participated. We look forward to seeing everyone again!

For more information on Mount Sinai Rehab current SCI research and research of other participating presenters see links below:

Participating Research Organizations

 

Thank You to our Sponsor

 

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The Spinal Connection February 2015 E-News

 

February 2015 E-News

Welcome to the Mount Sinai E-News
We hoped that you enjoyed last month’s Mount Sinai E-News. In this issue find out about our latest Life Challenge Adventure, the New York State and Neilsen Foundation Grants that Mount Sinai received as well as NYC Spinal’s upcoming Mardi Gras Fundraiser.

For comments or story ideas please contact Jim Cesario.
Mount Sinai
Goes Skiing
On January 9th-11th the Mount Sinai Life Challenge Team headed points north to Pico Mountain for a winter weekend of self discovery and adventure. The action began Friday evening at the Rutland Vermont Holiday Inn with our Annual Karaoke Contest. On Saturday we drove 20 minutes north to Pico Mountain. Challenge participates were paired with adaptive ski instructors and headed to the chair lifts for a ride up to the top of the mountain for a day of skiing. That evening back at the hotel our participants attended the awards banquet followed by dancing and frolicking in the Centre Lounge. On Sunday we had breakfast, said our good-byes and headed home with memories that we would share with friends and family.
New York State Grant
SCI Empower Program
Hello my name is Farzana Z Ali and I have a C5-6 SCI. Do you remember those days following your spinal cord injury when you were in an acute rehab facility? I was fortunate enough to be in the inpatient rehab unit at the Mount Sinai Hospital, with its cutting-edge facilities and compassionate members of the interdisciplinary team. However, I sometimes regretted not being able to push my fragile body, right after my traumatic injury, to work harder and take full advantage of the wonderful services surrounding me. After many months of institutionalized living, transitioning to the community felt like a great accomplishment, but it also shifted all the responsibilities involving my care to my own hands. Numerous complicated insurance policies soon led to the discontinuation of my outpatient therapy. Despite the comfort and independence in my home, I often longed for a second chance at that high-quality rehab I received at a time when my mind and body were not as strong as they are now.

This is where the Empower Spinal Cord Injury Program came in, by offering a second chance at rehabilitation when my body was properly healed and more prepared. But to me, it did not feel like a formal rehabilitation program, rather I found a new family away from my home. I met people who I could connect with at a human level, people who did not see me just as a patient, as a broken person who needs to be fixed, but a human being with the potential for a fulfilling life.

At Empower, we had regular therapy sessions with our Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Rehabilitation Counselor, Massage Therapist, and other care providers during the week. We went out into the community, the YMCA pool in Patchogue for swimming, the Setauket Harbor for kayaking, and many other places in Long Island, for challenging activities. The team members tried to accommodate the participants with equipment and devices, depending on individual disabilities, so that we could actively participate in those activities. All of the members of this program were so kind and competent that I could really trust them with my care. I could share my fears and limitations with them without hesitation.

This 2-week residential rehab program will run this summer during July 12th – 25th atStony Brook University on Long Island. If you are interested in the program, go to:http://www.empowersci.org/our-program.html where you can apply. There are only 12 participant slots. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association – Greater New York Chapter  (NYCSCIA) provides two scholarships every year for its state residents to participate in the Empower program. To learn more about the chapter’s activities and grants, please visit: http://www.nycspinalcord.org/,
Craig H Neilsen Grant
Mount Sinai has been awarded a Quality of Life Grant from the Craig H Neilsen Foundation. The grant will examine adaptive technology solutions for accessibility modifications in the home and workplace. The funds will be used to develop a virtual toolbox to support home and workplace accessibility evaluations. By utilizing an accurate, guided, and specially tailored mobile app; individuals will be able to easily and accurately measure the pertinent aspects of their desired environment and be provided with information and options on how to best proceed with desired modifications.
NYCSCIA
Mardi Gras
Go to www.nycspinalcord.org to purchase tickets on line
Life Challenge Upcoming Events
Swimming Lessons-54th Street Recreation Center-April 15 to May 2

Combat Laser Tag-Long Island City– April 17

Sky Dive-New Paltz, N.Y.-June 11

Team Challenge –TBA (A Weekend of Self Discovery and Adventure)
For info or to reserve a spot, contact Jim Cesario.
Follow Life Challenge on Facebook
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Mount Sinai Dept. Rehab. Medicine, 3 East 101st Street, New York, NY 10029
james.cesario@mountsinai.org, 212.824.8369