Mentors
How Can We Assist?
TLC Mentors are people who provide social outreach to the community. They live a brave and determined life, are empathetic, motivated and seek to pay it forward. TLC requires our mentors to be certified with a background check and at least three years of experience living with paralysis. Mentors are available for one-on-one mentoring or in-hospital visits. If you or someone you know would be a good fit for the mentor program email:
Todd Boyer
T 12 in 1993
Todd has over twenty five years of experience working in the urological and rehabilitation field in the top 50 rehabs nationwide. His strong knowledge of urological health and SCI recovery makes him a valuable asset to the team. His rich history of supporting the paralyzed community includes helping to create an in hospital peer support program. He's facilitated support groups for many years and is often visiting the newly injured in the hospitals. Todd is a certified peer with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and Sutter Health. In 1993 he sustained a spinal cord injury low on his back from a snowboarding accident.
Adrion Garcia
C 6 in 2021
Adrion is newer to the paralyzed life but he has rolled into it with lots of style and grace. He sustained his injury working as a solar technician when he fell off a roof. He has a true passion for exploring the latest technologies around recovery. He has a wife and daughter who was born while Adrion was in rehabilitation from his fall. His faith and hope for a breakthrough is what keeps him fighting against the hardships of paralysis everyday. Since becoming paralyzed Adrion has been a natural leader in the community with his talent for social networking. He makes everyone around him smile. In 2023 he completed his peer mentor certification with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
Dr. Dave Gillespie
T 6 in 2007
Dave was born and raised on a farm in rural Oklahoma, where he fell in love with exploring and studying the natural world. He attended the University of Oklahoma and earned a BS in microbiology/chemistry in 1993, then went to the University of New Mexico for a PhD in biomedical sciences with a molecular biology emphasis in 2000. This was followed up by a short postdoc studying the genetics of type 2 diabetes. Along the way, he got married and has 3 sons. Dr. Gillespie then joined the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer institute as a postdoc studying brain cancer. In 2007, he was welcomed to the department of Neurosurgery and Huntsman Cancer Institute as a research track faculty. On December 24th, 2007 he was in a snowboarding accident and was left completely paralyzed below T6 (sternum level). Though this was quite a setback, his love of science motivated him to work hard so he could return to the lab, which he did 9 months later with the help of many people. In 2010 he went through peer support training at the University of Utah. Since then, his research interests have ranged far and wide, collaborating with many labs on many cancer-related projects. He found TLC through social media and is our VP and Salt Lake City liaison. In 2023 he completed his peer mentor certification with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
Tiffany Poland
C 5-6 in 1989
Tiffany sustained her injury in from a car accident. Her extensive long term experience with paralysis gives her the knowledge to help others navigate their journeys. Utilizing her passion to help others, she founded the Queens of SCI monthly online women's group in 2022 . She is certified with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation mentoring program. Her upbeat positive personality, warm smile and funny giggle makes her a perfect candidate for an Ambassador. When she is not online, you can usually find her enjoying theatre or music. Check out the events calendar to find out when she is hosting her next group.
