| | In this newsletter you will find: -
Upcoming events -
Howes Named as GBC Chapter Coordinator -
Updates From Our 2022 Boston Marathon Runners -
Advocacy Update - A Good Read
- SCI Watch
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Support Group Information -
For Sale/Donations - GBC YouTube
- Community Tidbits
- Podcasts
Upcoming Events: - **Saturday Education Series will not be held this month due to Passover and Easter. The series will resume in May**
- Virtual Support Groups; Mondays - Thursdays; Join us for one or more of our virtual support groups that meet your needs as an individual, family member, or significant other affected by a spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D). Our groups offer opportunities for open discussion, support, and resources. For more information click here!
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| If you attended our virtual fundraiser or donated to the GBC in 2021, you may be eligible for a special $300 tax deduction. The GBC is a qualified 501(c) organization. Click here to read the following article for more information. |
| | Did you miss a newsletter? All our past newsletters can be found here: |
| You can also find us on AmazonSmile. You can set your Amazon account (available in the app as well) to donate .5% of all eligible purchases, including Amazon Fresh, to the GBC. Over time it really adds up! Click the AmazonSmile banner below more information. |
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| | Howes Named as GBC Chapter Coordinator The GBC is pleased to announce Kenneth "Obie" Harrington-Howes has accepted the position as Chapter Coordinator effective April 4th, 2022. Obie sustained a C-7 level injury in 1997 and brings a wealth of experience to our Chapter. He directed the Obie Harrington-Howes Foundation from 1998 to 2016 in Darien, Connecticut. His foundation provided financial assistance for individuals with spinal cord injuries including helping with vehicle purchases, home remodeling, sports equipment and assistive technology. Obie also had a long career in client servicing and management with J.P. Morgan Asset Management from 1985 to 2015. Recently Obie has been involved in SCI peer mentoring in Maine. Obie resides in Portland, Maine with his wife Beth. We look forward to you meeting Obie over the coming weeks and months. |
| | Updates From Our 2022 Boston Marathon Runner |
|  | Ava Glazier Two weeks out to Boston and I just finished my last 21 mile run on the course! Compared to marathon training during peak covid, this time around it is much more fun running and passing by other people! Equipped with my water, trusty headband, and occasionally a friend on a bike, I have (mostly) had tons of fun with all of my training runs to date despite the iffy weather. In the next two weeks, I am looking forward to a lot of pasta, stretching, and excitement. I cannot wait to get out on the course with the crowds on April 18 to represent SCI Boston! If you haven’t already donated, please consider supporting a great cause. Any amount of help means so much to me and SCI Boston |
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 | Meagan Kearney T-2 weeks until the big day. This day felt so far away when I began this journey with GBC to fundraise and train for the Boston Marathon. I’ve gone through a wave of emotions from being nervous, excited and even scared for the big day. Overall, I can’t wait for the day to come! Training has been going well, I’ve struggled with aches and pains throughout the last 12 weeks but nothing that has slowed me down. I have the most supportive network of people around me! From people providing fundraising support, support through purchasing me cold weather running gear, support through long runs by either running with me or cheering me on along my route, and a family that continues to wake me up at 5am for my cold morning runs! I couldn’t have done it without everyone! I have another 20 miles run to this weekend and then I begin taper down as I continue to countdown until the day! Here is a picture of my girls and I after I finished my initial 20 miler. Hope to see you all at the finish line! |
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| | Advocacy Update Click the button below for this months advocacy update where you will find information on Pathways to Employment, earning money as an MBTA secret shopper, road blocks to inclusive streets, United Spinal's Meet an Advocate live stream info, and a message from the DPC for users of One Care. Interested in getting notifications about our advocacy efforts or being an advocate on the state or national level? Click here to sign up for email alerts. |
| | | A Good Read Outdoor Tracks Gear Guide Written by Kary Wright "Since my accident, I’ve focused on making my favorite outdoor adventures accessible for as many people as possible. I’ve been fortunate over the years that with help from my family and friends (lots!), I have been able to return to many of my favorite activities. I’ve been able to drive vehicles, including an ATV, camp, fish, fly sailplanes and drones, shoot, hunt and more. The outdoors are open to us folks living with disabilities, but enjoying them often takes a great support network and the resources to figure out obstacles." Click the button below to continue reading! |
| | | SCI Watch Saturday Education Series: Estate, Disability, and Long Term Care Planning Pt. 1 Do you have a power of attorney, health care proxy, will, or trust? When was the last time you reviewed it? Do you have questions about state and federal disability benefits such as SSDI, SSI, Medicare, and Medicaid? What happens if you need long-term care at home or in a nursing home? Learn about the importance of a comprehensive estate plan, how to access public benefits, and how to finance the cost of care. Presented by Pamela Greenfield, Esq. Click the button below to watch the whole recording |
| | |  | Virtual Discussion Groups Join us for one or more of our virtual support groups that meet your needs as an individual, family member, or significant other affected by a spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D). Our many virtual groups offer opportunities for open discussion, support, and resources. Click the button below to access more information and the zoom links! |
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 | For Sale/Donated Are you looking for or do you have Durable Medical Equipment, Assistive Technology, Adapted Vehicles or an Accessible Home for sale? This month we have: Permobil F3 Kia Soul Ramp Vehicle Concept Rower And so much more! Click the button below for more information! |
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 | Our YouTube Channel Have you missed one of our recent Saturday Education Series Presentations or one of our virtual community events? Did you know that we upload them to our YouTube channel? We have presentations on: Research Studies MA Medical Cannabis Program SCI Research Studies And so much more! Click the button below to check them all out! |
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| Community Tidbits News and Events from the SCI Community and Beyond |
|  | Webinar April 12, 2022, from 3:00-4:30 P.M. Eastern Time; Realizing Employment Success: A Tailored Approach to Serving People with Brain Injuries |
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 | NCART Webinar May 5 at 4:00 PM ET; Join NCART, NRRTS, U.S. Rehab, and the Clinician Task Force for the next CRT Industry Webinar. These no-cost webinars are a way to stay updated on timely information relevant to the CRT community and to ask questions about policy and advocacy action impacting CRT. Register today by clicking the button below. |
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| | Podcasts Do you listen to a podcast that might interest our community? Send us an email here with a link to the podcast. |
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|  | Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy The Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Spinal Cord Injury Special Interest Group (SCI SIG) is a component of the American Physical Therapy Association. The mission of the SCI SIG is to optimize rehabilitation and maximize participation of persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) as active members of their communities. The SCI SIG is comprised of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students in physical therapy programs who share knowledge and expertise, assemble and publicize resources, and discuss, interpret, and disseminate evidence about SCI/D rehabilitation. Click the image above to listen! |
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 | Spotlight (NARIC) Spotlight is the podcast for the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), a federally-funded library focused on disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research. In this podcast, we will discuss a variety of topics related to disability, independent living, rehabilitation, and research, including the work of the grantee community of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). Click the image above to listen! |
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| | Thank you to our sponsors! |
|  | | Support also provided by the Lenny Zakim Fund and the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation. |
| | | Greater Boston Chapter of United Spinal Association
2 Rehabilitation Way | Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
(617) 952-5643 | info@sciboston.org |
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