Innovation with, not for: Reversing Paralysis and Redefining Care with Praxis

In this powerful episode of Research Renaissance, Arushi Raina and John Tkaczyk from the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute pull back the curtain on what it really takes to innovate in spinal cord injury—and why the future of neurological care depends on integrating technology, science, and most importantly, lived experience.
Rather than treating individuals as patients or passive recipients of care, Praxis centers their entire innovation pipeline around those living with spinal cord injury (SCI), involving them from ideation through market launch. Arushi shares how shifting from product “for” to product “with” the SCI community has accelerated meaningful breakthroughs. John explains why he refuses the label “patient” and instead champions the term Plex – Persons with Lived Experience, a philosophy now driving clinical research, product development, and even investment strategies.
From cutting-edge neuromodulation to low-cost wound gels saving lives, this conversation explores how innovation scales not by solving one condition in isolation—but by designing for complexity, translating solutions across adjacent neurological and aging populations, and creating sustainable pathways to market.

Key highlights include:
♿ Why integrating lived experience from day one leads to better innovation—and better outcomes
🔄 How a “test bed” approach in SCI is accelerating breakthroughs for MS, stroke, Parkinson’s, aging and more
⚙️ The surprising power of simple, scalable technologies—like a gel applied at the first sign of a pressure sore
🧩 Why coachability in entrepreneurs may matter more than capital in medtech success
🧠 Neuromodulation reversing effects of paralysis—and improving autonomic functions like temperature, bowel, and bladder control
💬 How real-time, direct feedback from SCI users saved startups from costly mistakes
📈 Why Praxis built a fund model that generates investor returns and channels profits back into the charity
❤️ What it means to rethink innovation around dignity, identity, and human mobility—not just mobility of limbs

Most profound takeaway
“If technology can be used not only to make it acceptable, but to celebrate the different ways people walk and move through the world, that’s where innovation meets humanity.” — Arushi Raina

Resources & Links
🌐 Praxis Spinal Cord Institute: PracticeInstitute.org
🔗 Connect with Arushi & John on LinkedIn
📧 General contact: [email protected]
💡 Learn more about the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust: tofflertrust.org

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