Next Step Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Centre in Epping to open wellness hub

A spinal cord injury centre in Melbourne’s north has opened a new wellness hub to ensure patients’ mental health is looked after during their recovery.

Next Step Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Centre founder Rhiannon Tracey with the centre’s therapy rabbit. Picture: Rob Leeson.

ALMOST 10 years after experiencing a life-changing accident which left her a C-5 quadriplegic, inspirational life coach Rhiannon Tracey is about to open a wellness hub for other spinal cord injury survivors.

The hub, which will offer Chinese medicine, acupuncture, massage, life coaching and reiki, will open on March 29, close to the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Next Step Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Centre in Epping, of which Ms Tracey is the founder.

The wellness hub will be on the second floor of the centre.

RELATED

$1M NEEDED TO TEST DRUG FOR BRAIN, SPINAL INJURIES

MELBOURNE PHYSIOLOGISTS HELP BOY TAKE FIRST STEPS

Ms Tracey said the opening of the hub had been a goal in her own journey.

“Since opening the Next Step five years ago, it has been my goal to provide others living with a spinal cord injury a facility that not only works on the body, but also the mind — something that has been crucial during my own recovery,” she said.

Rhiannon Tracey in the new wellness hub in the Next Step Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Centre. Picture: Rob Leeson.

The space, which was partly funded by a $50,000 donation from Spa Electrics, which enabled the installation of a lift providing direct wheelchair access to the second floor, would also offer crucial support to friends and families of injury clients, Ms Tracey said.

MORE NEWS

EPPING WOMAN TACKLES 100KM TRAILWALKER COURSE

WHITTLESEA COUNCIL NOT HAPPY WITH KAUFLAND

PRICE HIKE FOR RENTERS IN TRENDY NORTH

She said her best friend 10 years ago pulled her from the swimming pool in Bali in which she suffered her injury. The pair were no longer in contact because they had not understood the impact trauma from the accident would have on their friendship, Ms Tracey said.

“It will offer support for not just those who are injured, but their family, friends and carers as well because spinal cord injuries effect everyone,” she said.

Users of the clinic will also have the opportunity to get cuddles from a therapy rabbit and appreciate the wonder of an axolotl — the only animal with the ability to regenerate its spinal cord.

Details: thenextstepsci.org.au