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Elena and Brooke
An
Conversation
with Elena & Brooke , Founders of Wives and Girlfriends of Spinal Cord Injury ( WAGS of SCI )
Brooke Pagé and Elena Pauly of Vancouver , BC , started the Wives and Girlfriends of Spinal Cord Injury ( WAGS of SCI ) group after becoming caregivers for their partners , both of whom are quadriplegic . In 2014 , Evan , Brooke ’ s boyfriend at the time , got injured at work when a load of unsecured flooring fell on his head , breaking his neck . After the injury , the couple married in 2016 and Brooke is now his full-time caregiver . Elena ’ s boyfriend , Dan , became severely injured in 2016 after jumping into a shallow pool while both were on vacation in Cuba .
WAGS of SCI began as a meetup and support group exclusively for wives and girlfriends of men who have sustained a spinal cord injury . Although their lives of both women have changed dramatically since their partner ’ s life-altering injuries , they remain resolutely by their side , showering them with love and support , while through their support group , encouraging other women caring for their partners with spinal cord injuries to do the same .
During the insightful hourlong video Conversation , their frustration with the government funding process connected to home health care and the need for more free mental health support were passionately discussed . It quickly became evident that their support group provides significant help to many other women in similar situations