In a step towards making rehabilitation more inclusive, person-centred and connected, RehabNation Healthcare Foundation of India has recognised Gurdeep as a Peer Trainer, drawing on his lived experience and specialised training from Motivation UK.
Gurdeep’s journey reflects the important role that people with lived experience can play in supporting others. His experience of living with spinal cord injury gives him a unique perspective on the physical, emotional and social challenges that can accompany rehabilitation and life after injury.
As part of his new role, Gurdeep is open to providing peer support to people living with spinal cord injuries across the globe. Through one-to-one interactions, he can share his experiences, practical insights and lessons learned, while providing encouragement and a sense of connection to individuals navigating similar journeys.
Connecting People Beyond Borders
Spinal cord injury can bring profound changes to a person’s daily life, relationships, independence and participation in the community. While professional medical and rehabilitation services remain essential, peer support offers another important dimension—the opportunity to speak with someone who has lived through similar experiences.
Gurdeep’s peer-support role is based on the principle of “lived experience supporting lived experience.” The intention is not to replace professional medical or rehabilitation advice, but to complement it through sharing, listening, encouragement and practical insights from personal experience.
People from different countries and time zones will be welcome to connect with Gurdeep. The timing of each interaction will be mutually worked out between Gurdeep and the person seeking support, allowing flexibility according to their respective availability and time zones.
From Lived Experience to Leadership
For RehabNation, Gurdeep’s journey also represents a broader commitment to recognising people with disabilities as active contributors, trainers, mentors and leaders in rehabilitation—not merely as recipients of services.
Gurdeep is not only a peer trainer. He is also a Career Development Programme Trainer and serves as an official with the State Wheelchair Basketball programme, bringing together lived experience, professional training, career development and adaptive sports.
These roles reflect the possibilities that can emerge when people with disabilities are given opportunities to develop their skills, share their knowledge and take leadership roles within their communities.
RehabNation hopes Gurdeep’s journey will encourage more people living with spinal cord injuries to connect with one another, share experiences and recognise the possibilities beyond rehabilitation.
RehabNation is committed to building stronger peer networks, fostering hope and creating opportunities for people with spinal cord injuries. The initiative also aims to strengthen peer networks, reduce isolation and empower people with SCI to live with greater confidence, dignity and independence.
Global connections are welcome. Timings will be coordinated across time zones to make peer support accessible, comfortable and meaningful for both the peer trainer and the person seeking support.