Nurse navigators play crucial role in supporting patients with spinal cord injuries

Jen Kelly started riding horses at the age of eight. She was riding in 2020 with a friend when the horse got spooked, and she was thrown to the ground.  

Jen was paralyzed from the neck down at impact and diagnosed with a spinal cord injury. She was transferred to Allina Health Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley. Her neurologist said she was going to walk again. 

"Those words were my marching orders," said Jen. 

She credits expert rehabilitative care and access to the latest technology as crucial to her recovery.

Jen is also grateful for the support she received from her registered nurse navigator, or care coordinator. Her nurse navigator became a single point of contact to manage medications, appointments and questions. Jen says the spinal cord injury added new complexities to her daily life. Her nurse navigator eased that stress. 

"Knowing that I had someone to count on, knowing I had a person who was in my corner ... that was always comforting and brought a lot of relief," said Jen.

Jen went from using a wheelchair to walking sticks and now walks unassisted. Her care journey continues. 

"Life is good. It's not always easy, but it is very rich and very good." 

KARE 11 and CCX Media featured Jen's story during Spinal Cord Awareness Month.