Spinal cord injury (SCI) persons with lived experience (PLEX) are individuals with lived experience, including people with SCI, their family and friends, as well as PLEX-focused community organizations and advocacy groups. Engagement occurs when PLEX have a meaningful and active role in decision-making, setting priorities, conducting research, and translating research knowledge for the benefit of its intended users.
PLEX engagement is most effective when there is an environment of inclusivity where PLEXs are provided the supports needed to contribute fully and are part of mutually respectful teams from the outset of projects.
The PLEX Engagement Program at Praxis includes
four individuals living with SCI. It was created to engage the spinal cord injury community to become more involved in research, innovation, healthcare and advocacy.
With over 25 years of lived experience of SCI since being paralyzed, John has participated in dozens of research studies in addition to being a co-investigator on a number of research projects. He works closely with PLEX (individuals with lived experience of SCI, including their family and friends, PLEX-focused community organizations and advocacy groups) to ensure research is addressing their priorities. 
James works to strengthen partnerships between the community, research, and healthcare systems by engaging the peers and networking with Patient Partner Health initiatives and researchers. These are vital in achieving improved health outcomes and quality of life for persons living with SCI. He is currently working with the Emergency Services Network Committee as a patient partner, providing personal and community feedback to ultimately improve emergency care across the Interior Health emergency departments. After a motor vehicle accident in 1997, James has nearly 25 years of lived experience with a T-6, AIS-A SCI. 
Richard is a proud member of the Cowichan Tribes on Vancouver Island. He is a Paralympic athlete and a multi-Gold medalist, he has successfully represented Canada in multiple sports at multiple events around the world. Richard is a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and a two-time recipient of the Tom Longboat Award for Indigenous Athletes. With over 40 years of lived experience with a T10, AIS-B SCI, he has developed extensive connections through his longstanding community involvement within the Indigenous and spinal cord injury communities. 
Spring Hawes is the Regional PLEX Engagement Liaison at the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute. Spring has 18 years of lived experience with a C-6, AIS-A injury, as a result of a terrain park injury in 2005.
At Praxis, Sydney brings her experience in project coordination to support the organization and implementation of programmatic activities for the PLEX Engagement Team. She works closely with the team by coordinating their involvement in a range of projects through communication, meeting management, project tracking, and reporting. Sydney is also responsible for facilitating relationship building with an array of stakeholders in the SCI Community.