Dr Blake Boggenpoel

Blake’s research looks at improving care pathways of persons who have sustained traumatic SCI in South Africa. Attending ISCoS is a starting point for collaboration and will assist in improving Blake’s research trajectory and that of fellow researchers in developing countries.

Blake shares his experiences from the conference.

Attending the 64th ISCoS conference in Gothenburg, Sweden, was a rewarding opportunity for me personally and professionally.  It allowed me to network with colleagues from low-to-middle income countries and to discuss possible research collaborations for the future, some of which will commence relatively soon. Furthermore, it exposed me to cutting-edge research being conducted within the field of rehabilitation, as well as broadening my knowledge in relation to the acute care management of persons with TSCI.  Personally, the current role big data is playing in furthering SCI research was rather interesting, and I endeavour exploring such research within my own context.

I was fortunate enough to also attend the physiotherapy preconference session, and once again this did not disappoint. To have a number of exceptional clinicians and researchers skilled in both clinical and research domains was phenomenal, to say the least. Furthermore, I also joined the Physiotherapy SIG, which will allow me to stay abreast with the latest rehabilitation strategies and to possibly be involved in the dissemination of such research to the broader physiotherapy community.

I would like to say thank you to the SRI, as this opportunity would not have been possible without their support.