Function, Fertility, and Family After SCI

As a young man, Shaun Gash experienced a spinal cord injury that made natural conception difficult. Thanks to advancements in medical technology, he and his wife welcomed three healthy children into their lives.

Learn how Shaun and Dawn started their family after SCI.

This article is based on interviews conducted by Sue Lennon. Sue is a nurse, therapist, educator, and coach with nearly three decades of experience in oncology nursing – including urology and stoma care. She values nurse-patient communication and provides truly holistic care.

For men who experience a spinal cord injury (SCI), changes in sexual function are common. While challenges such as erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction and changes in semen quality can affect fertility, many medical options and treatments are available that offer hope and support for building a family. Shaun Gash, who lives in the UK, has an inspiring story about how someone with a SCI can succeed in procreating post-injury.

Shaun, now in his mid-50s, was 20 years old when he was in a car accident that left him paralyzed. Shortly afterwards, he met and married his wife Dawn, and they explored the possibility of conceiving children. They sought the advice of a professional fertility specialist to get information and find a way forward.

“We weren't aware of what was available,” says Shaun of the fertility methods used decades ago on men with SCI. “We looked at all avenues – from adoption to going down the IVF route.”

In-vitro fertilization – a “new little adventure”

Shaun and Dawn embraced in-vitro fertilization (IVF) as their chosen path to parenthood, which Shaun fondly describes as a “new little adventure” He recalls his experience with vibratory stimulation – the procedure that induces an ejaculation to produce semen – as a uniquely memorable and important step in their journey to starting a family.

At first, Shaun wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from the procedure. “We weren’t given many details about how it would unfold,” he says. 'So, I just went in with an open mind and trusted the process.”

What happened next turned into a moment of unexpected humour. Just as the procedure was about to begin, a group of medical students entered the room to observe. “It was one of those surreal moments; there I was, in a clinical setting, and suddenly I had an audience!” Shaun recalls with a laugh. “My legs were in spasms, and the staff nurse asked the students to help steady them; it could have been an uncomfortable situation, but their calm presence actually helped me stay grounded.”

While some might have found the situation awkward, Shaun’s upbeat attitude turned it into a lighthearted memory. Despite the surprises along the way, the procedure was successful, and it marked an important step in Shaun and Dawn’s journey to parenthood through IVF.

The result: a beautiful family

The successful IVF procedure produced 14 total embryos, and Shaun and Dawn had two beautiful babies from a batch of nine of them. They opted to have the remaining five embryos frozen for potential future use.

Five years later, Shaun and Dawn received a call from the hospital asking what they would like to do with their remaining embryos — whether to donate them or try for another child. Shaun recalls, “Dawn said, let’s give it another try.” Of the five embryos, one was viable, and that led to the birth of their third child.

All three children were conceived at the same time through IVF, yet their youngest arrived five years after the first two. “And they’re all so different – in personality, appearance, everything,” Shaun says with a smile. “It’s amazing how unique each of them is.”

Insights for those with SCI wanting to start a family

Shaun’s IVF procedure was done a long time ago. Medical technology has progressed since then, giving people with SCI who want children even more options.

Shaun offers thoughtful guidance for those facing challenges with natural conception. “Make sure you gather all the information you can – learn about your body, understand its limits, and explore your options,” he advises. “When we were going through it, resources were scarce and the topic was still quite taboo – but we pursued IVF and now I’m the proud parent of three amazing children!”

Interested in learning more about Shaun’s SCI journey? Watch Sue Lennon’s full interview with him.