For many years, Oatley Vigmond Personal Injury Lawyers and Spinal Cord Injury Ontario have worked together to support people whose lives have been changed by a spinal cord injury. This longstanding partnership is grounded in shared values, including dignity, independence, accessibility and the belief that people with spinal cord injuries deserve meaningful support throughout every stage of recovery and life.
Oatley Vigmond is widely recognized as one of Canada’s leading personal injury law firms for individuals with catastrophic injuries. However, the firm’s commitment to the spinal cord injury community extends far beyond legal advocacy. Through sustained sponsorships and community involvement, Oatley Vigmond has helped support SCIO programs that provide education, connection and practical assistance to people living with spinal cord injuries across Ontario.
A defining focus of this support has been peer support, which is a cornerstone of SCIO’s work. When funding for SCIO’s peer support program was at risk in its early days, Oatley Vigmond stepped forward as its first sponsor. This support helped ensure the continuation of a program that connects individuals with spinal cord injuries to peers with lived experience. Today, SCIO’s peer support program has grown significantly and continues to offer vital connection, reassurance and shared understanding to people navigating life after injury.
This commitment to peer connection is also reflected in Oatley Vigmond’s support of initiatives that honour the people who helped shape the SCI community. One example is the Heather Hollingshead Legacy Fund, established in the name of a passionate advocate and former SCIO peer support coordinator whose work had a lasting impact on countless lives. The fund supports peer led initiatives and opportunities that reflect Heather’s deep belief in community, empowerment and the power of shared experience. By supporting initiatives like this, Oatley Vigmond helps ensure that the spirit of peer support continues to grow and evolve for future generations.
Oatley Vigmond’s partnership with SCIO also extends to inclusive community initiatives that demonstrate accessibility in action. The firm’s annual Accessible Halloween Village creates a safe, barrier-free space where children of all abilities can participate fully in a beloved community tradition. These initiatives reinforce a shared belief that accessibility should be embedded in everyday life.
Both organizations are committed to education and reliable information. After a spinal cord injury, individuals often face complex decisions about rehabilitation, equipment, housing accessibility, benefits and long-term care. For those injured in motor vehicle accidents, understanding accident benefits and legal rights is often critical to accessing these supports. Oatley Vigmond’s catastrophic injury lawyers work alongside health and community organizations to help individuals understand their rights and plan for long-term needs.
This Cortree blog and video series is an extension of the partnership between SCIO and Oatley Vigmond. Together, they aim to provide clear, accessible information on the legal and insurance systems that impact people living with spinal cord injuries. This approach empowers individuals and families to make informed decisions.
Through long-standing sponsorship and a deep respect for the lived experiences of people with spinal cord injuries, Oatley Vigmond continues to stand with SCIO in supporting peer connection, accessibility and recovery, both today and into the future.
For more information about Oatley Vigmond Personal Injury Lawyers and their work with the SCI community, visit oatleyvigmond.com.
