Judy Aguirre
President
Judy has been married for 32 years to ‘X’ and is a proud momma of 2 young men, Nick (22) and Diego (19). Excited to be in attendance at the conception of the Syracuse Spinal Association (SSA), she is a C5 C6 incomplete quadriplegic 12 years now from a fall down the cellar stairs (please, always use nightlights). She’s had many PT advances and adventures since meeting Olivia and Adrian at Physical Therapy. She encountered Matt at PT School where they volunteered as pretend patients every year, and finally has been delighted by Connor at their SSA meetings. The Spinal Stars aligned, the friends became a team.
Judy grew up on the near west side of Syracuse where her mom Carole still lives. She lives in Warners with X and Gizmo, their old dog. No kids, we are happily empty nesting!
Josh Virgil
Vice President
Josh has been a C6 C7 quadriplegic since October 1998 after a car accident. Since 1999, Josh has been an assistant baseball, soccer and basketball coach at Fabius-Pompey Central School which is also where he graduated from in 1996. Josh also was able to get Legislation changed in New York State to allow people who can’t perform CPR/First Aid to become a head coach.
Josh married his wife Betty on the baseball field that he coaches on. Josh has two step children, a son in-law and twin granddaughters.
Josh believes his accident was the best thing to happen to him and always tells people “Don’t Take Anything for Granted.”
Josh was invited to the group by Olivia after meeting her at Upstate.
Connor McGough
Treasurer
Originally from Port Leyden, NY, Connor McGough moved to Baldwinsville in 2016, a few years after graduating college. Connor attended the Rochester Institute of Technology where he received his BFA in industrial design. While in college, during the summer of 2009 Connor sustained a C5 C6 complete spinal cord injury from a diving accident. After a year of intensive rehabilitation, Connor finished his college career and now works as the program coordinator of Arise Adaptive Design in Syracuse. In his free time, Connor enjoys attending concerts, kayaking, and skiing.
Adrian Wagner, PT, DPT, NCS
Secretary
Adrian grew up in the Syracuse area, and moved home over 4 years ago after traveling across the country as a physical therapist. Her passion for physical therapy began after a motorcycle accident, in which she was fortunate to only sustain a broken pelvis, requiring short term rehab. Adrian has been practicing for over 12 years, and her focus is working with patients with a variety of neurological diagnoses, including spinal cord injury. She was fortunate to meet Olivia and learn about the SCI support group in 2017, and has been an active member since. Adrian has learned a lot from those living with spinal cord injuries through those in the support group, from an uncle who sustained a spinal cord injury, and during her time volunteering in an adaptive ski program. She loves spending time with her daughter and her fur baby. You’ll find her spending her free time outdoors to rock climb, hike, kayak, ski, and any other activities that her dog and kiddo can come along with her.
Olivia Wattles, PT, DPT, CBIS
Board Member
Olivia is a physical therapist working in the outpatient neuro setting, whose passion is working with those living with SCI and improving their quality of life. She saw a need for community support within this population, and began a support group with fellow founding member, Matt Ficarra, in 2016. These efforts have evolved into the SSA: an organization that seeks to provide support and funding wherever it is needed. Olivia is originally from South Jersey and now lives in Solvay, NY with her husband, Cameron, her daughter, Juliette, and her dogs, Carson and Willow. Olivia enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking, traveling, and visiting any and all breweries /wineries.