| |  | Chapter Name Change We are excited to announce that we have transitioned our Chapter’s name from the Greater Boston Chapter of United Spinal Asspciation, to SCIboston. We will continue to be a chapter of United Spinal Association and offer the same support and services to individuals and families impacted by spinal cord injury in Massachusetts and the New England area. We are making the change to simplify and shorten our name and to be consistent with our website, social media and email addresses. |
| Thank You to Our Supporters |
|  | A Special Thank You to Travis Roy Foundation! |
| | | | Spinal Cord Injury Transition Program Stacie Selfridge - TRANSITION PROGRAM LIAISON Stacie oversees SCIboston’s SCI Transition Program, which aims to assist individuals who live in nursing homes to get back to living independently. Stacie brings twenty-plus years of knowledge and experience as an Occupational Therapist to our SCIboston community. We are pleased to announce the SCIboston Spinal Cord Injury Transition Program has had some great successes during it's first year and a half and we want to continue helping individuals with there independence. Do you know someone with an SCI that is living in a nursing home? We are looking for new candidates who are motivated to move back into the community. Please contact info@sciboston.org for more information or to recommend a candidate. |
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| In this newsletter you will find: -
Upcoming Events - Advocacy Update
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Looking to Connect with a Peer Mentor? -
SCIboston YouTube -
Support Groups -
For Sale/Donations -
Grant Program (Durable Medical Equipment and Vehicle Modifications) -
Community Tidbits (Adaptive Climbing, CRT Awareness Week, Brandeis Study) -
Helpful Resources |
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| We rely on donations, sponsors and grants to fund our peer programs. If we made a difference in your life or that of someone you love, consider a donation to allow us to continue to assist others as we assisted you. SCIboston is recognized by the IRS as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. |
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| | | |  Please join us for the Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles game on Sunday, September 10, 2023 for Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day at Fenway Park! *Group ticket sales will end August 25, 2023* Accessible tickets are nearly sold out!
Also, please invite Family and friends to join us! To purchase tickets directly, click the buttons below that gives the option of purchasing a maximum of three accessible tickets (ie: one accessible and two companions) as well as standard seating. On the accessible tickets page click "see more" for descriptions of the seats available (i.e covered seating, wheelchair or companion seat). For more info about the event click here! We want this fun event to be accessible to everyone. If the ticket cost is a barrier to you attending this event, please let us know at info@sciboston.org. | | | | | | |
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| | | Check out this year's free special edition hats with your ticket purchase (distributed at the game). Thanks, Mary for designing and modeling them and for your tireless efforts in planning this great event! |
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| Allie's Paddle Allie Skelley, a long time Travis Roy Foundation supporter, will be doing a 40+ mile Stand-up Paddle Board Fundraiser on August 22nd to raise money for SCIboston's Grant Program that provides durable medical equipment and vehicle modifications to individuals with traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injuries. We are very excited to work with Allie on this event and we will keep you posted on any updates! Click here to read more about Allie and to donate to his campaign. |
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| Annual SCI Awareness Month Proclamation and Presentation Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day
Thursday, September 14, 2023, 12PM -1PM
Massachusetts State House - Hall of Flags
24 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02133 After three years virtually, we will be back in-person in the Hall of Flags. Join us for a complimentary buffet lunch while we network and share updates from our researchers and the Department of Public Health. Please register here https://www.sciboston.org/sciad |
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|  33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) July 26, 2023 marked the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), our nation’s first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities that impacts millions of Americans. Let's carry the spirit of this celebration with us and continue advocating for equal rights and opportunities for every individual. This months advocacy update includes calls to action from United Spinal Association, as well as news from U.S. Access Bored, and Disability Policy Consortium. Advocacy Update Interested in getting notifications about our advocacy efforts or being an advocate on the state or national level? |
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| Looking to Connect with a Peer Mentor? Are you or a family member looking to connect with one of SCIboston's trained peer mentors? Many people find it helpful, reassuring, and hopeful to talk to a mentor about adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury. Topics of conversation could include getting back to work or school after a sci, adaptive sports, relationships and intimacy, bladder and bowel management, and more. We match individuals with peer mentors based primarily on gender, injury level, age, interests, and family life, amongst other considerations. SCIboston's mentors also lead many of our virtual support groups, as well as attend them to provide support to others. If you'd like to hear more about the program or wish to connect with someone, please contact SCIboston's Peer Mentor Coordinator, Jessika, at jcoromel@partners.org to learn more today. |
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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: SCI and Foot Care (coming soon!) Nutrition and Metabolic Changes with SCI/D Cooking with Arash Returning to School After SCI Adaptive Driving SCI Awareness Month Playlist And so much more! Click the button below to check them all out! |
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Virtual Support 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. Women's Group Newly Injured Spanish Group After Dark Groups Family Groups SCI/D Discussion Group And many more! Click the button 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 or donation? This month we have: Therapy Table (FREE) Kia Soul Ramp Vehicle Duet Basic Bicycle Concept Rower And so much more! Click the button below to check them all out or submit your item! |
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SCIboston's Grants Our Grant Program assists individuals with a Spinal Cord Injury or Disorder (SCI/D) who demonstrate a financial need. These grants can help assist with obtaining either Durable Medical Equipment or Vehicle Modifications up to $4,000. Examples of Eligible Items: Upgrade and maintenance of wheelchairs, home ramps and lifts, computers, commodes, standing frames, shower chairs/benches, vehicle hand controls, wheelchair locking systems, and more. To learn more about the eligibility requirements, what our grants cover, and to fill out the application click the button below! |
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| |  | Adaptive Climbing Mt. Washington Valley Adaptive Sports, in partnership with International Mountain Climbing School, is providing cost-free outdoor climbing in August and September for people living with spinal cord injury. Climb is at Cathedral Ledge in Conway, NH. Space is limited. More dates may be added. For more details, or to register, please email lscrimshaw@mwvas.org |
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 | National CRT Awareness Week National CRT Awareness Week is August 14-18, 2023. These five days are when the Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) community joins forces to collectively share the CRT message. No matter what role CRT plays in your life, anyone can be an advocate and there are many different ways to get involved. Visit the NCART Website for some ideas to help you brainstorm. |
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| | | Did you miss a newsletter? All our past newsletters can be found here: |
| | | | | SCIboston
2 Rehabilitation Way | Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
(617) 952-5643 | info@sciboston.org |
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