Why Become a Project Walk Certified SCI Recovery Trainer?

The Project Walk certification program is the only certification program in the world dedicated to SCI recovery of function with the goal of walking,and the only program that teaches professionals how someone with SCI can regain function and recover. It is an intensive educational program designed to teach professionals in the exercise field about The Dardzinski Method™ of spinal cord injury recovery. There are four levels of certification in the program.  Each one requires both hands on practical experience and specific theory courses combined with thousands of hours to complete. Through the process, professionals will learn about SCI, the issues associated with it, how someone with SCI can regain function and recover using The Dardzinski Method, as well as conduct and participate in important SCI recovery research.

-When you complete the Project Walk Trainer Certification, you will reap the following benefits-

Train with the Founders who started the industry heading into this new direction. Ted Dardzinski and Eric Harness have been working together before Project Walk began and have over a decade of experience working in recovery.  Almost every trainer and center in the world currently practicing exercise-based recovery is staffed with former Project Walk employees or has been trained by Project Walk. The Dardzinski Method was created by working with and observing hundreds of individuals as they regained function.  Additionally, specialists were observed during their learning process and after almost 10 years, a proven training curriculum was developed.  Eric Harness is now a published author with his most recent paper appearing in the journal Spinal Cord.  He is currently collaborating with many SCI researchers and attends most SCI scientific conferences. Eric and Ted personally supervise and train all certification students.

Be one of the select few- The change in perception that the human central nervous system can relearn function has created a new field of physical rehabilitation. Exercise-based recovery is the future of SCI care. There are over 11,000 new injuries each year and only a few centers currently practicing The Dardzinski Method. Today, clients from all over the world travel to Carlsbad, CA, to take part in our recovery program.  Unfortunately, when the clients return home, there are no trained professionals to help them continue on. By becoming the new generation in exercise-based recovery therapist/trainer, your extended knowledge will be very valuable, thus attracting clients from all over your region. A movie once said it perfectly, “if you build it, they will come”. The SCI community wants and needs The Dardzinski Method and will search for a qualified, trained professional who can help them.
                                                                                                                   

Expand your client base – Project Walk treats approximately 250 SCI clients each year by providing them with a home based recovery program. However, as stated previously, there are over 11,000 new spinal cord injuries each year in the United States alone. This is where being a Project Walk Certified Trainer allows you to expand your client base to a greatly underserved population. Individuals with a spinal cord injury need an exercise program not for a few months, but for a lifetime.  

Gain advanced skills that allow you to work with all SCI injuries- You will be able to design effective exercise-based programs for SCI clients of all injury and ability levels. During each level of your Project Walk Certification, you will gain knowledge and experience working with clients in all Five Phases of Recovery™ at all levels of injury. Very few injuries regain function the same.  Understanding how to adapt your workout design and understand the long-term effects and benefits will allow you to work with a diverse group of individuals and their goals.

Open a facility in your area – Successfully completing your Project Walk Trainer Certification could be a first step to becoming a Certified Provider. As a certified provider, you would be promoted on our website, have access to our client tracking software, and be able to participate in future research projects.

Steady income - Whether you are fee-based or bill insurance, the demand for this program will only increase. Since in takes years to learn The Dardzinski Method, those with the most experience will be able to attract more clients. Most Project Walk clients are here for six months, but on average a couple of years, and some the rest of their lives.

Free website listing - All Project Walk Certified Trainers are listed on the Project Walk website which gets over 500,000 hits a month. This free marketing resource will help you gain potential clients in your area. Your name, location, contact information, and a link to your website will be available to any client who visits the Project Walk website.

Free membership to the Project Walk Trainer Forum - This web forum is exclusively for people who have completed their Project Walk Trainer Certification. It is an invaluable way to stay in touch with other SCI trainers from around the world along with the SCI Specialists at the Project Walk Institute. You can use this forum to share ideas and ask questions.