Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging (DEIAB) statement can be found here.
In this newsletter you will find:
It's National Mentoring Month!
Upcoming Events! Power of Art Gala and Saturday Education Series
Travis Roy Legacy Grant Program
Advocacy Newsletter
Support Groups
SCI Transition Program - Hear How The Program Helped Rory
*NEW VIDEO* SCIboston YouTube - Adaptive Sports and Fitness
Support Groups
Resources
Community Tidbits - Adaptive Tennis, Neurological Rehab Webinar, Empower SCI Summer Programs, and DPC Job Opportunity.
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.
Due to the length, some email providers may cut the end of this newsletter. We suggest viewing it in your web browser to read it.
It's National Mentoring Month!
Thank you to our Peer Mentors who selflessly give their time and offer themselves to help others who need more support. The world needs more people like all of you!
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, Diane, at diane@sciboston.org to learn more today.
Click theHERE to watch a video from our Peer Mentors!
To learn more about our other Peer Mentors click HERE!
Upcoming Events
Flyers are clickable.
SCIboston's Travis Roy Legacy Grant Program
SCIboston is excited to announce the continuation of its quality of life grant program for individuals with a spinal cord injury or disorder and has renamed it The Travis Roy Legacy Grant Program. To read the full press release click here!
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 EquipmentorVehicle Modificationsup to $5,000.
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!
Happy New Year everyone! With a new year, new legislative session, and new Congress, there will be plenty of opportunities to get engaged and involved in advocacy this year. Make sure you sign up for Advocacy Newsletters so you don’t miss a thing!
Want to improve access to taxis and rideshares, like Lyft and Uber? Participate in a focus group with BraunAbility. Read the full newsletterfor more information and email Vita at vita@sciboston.org if interested!
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.
Younger Adult Group
Women's Group
Newly Injured
Spanish Group
After Dark Groups *Relaunched*
Family Groups
SCI/D Discussion Group
And Nutrition Group
Click the button to access more information and the zoom links!
Watch Stacie and Rory tell their story at our 2024 Gala HERE.
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 two years and we want to continue helping individuals with their 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.orgfor more information or to recommend a candidate.
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?
Our resource page was curated by our staff with information provided by our mentors, group leaders, and other members of the SCI community that includes information about:
Caregivers Getting Back to Work Housing, Sports & Recreation Complex Rehab Technology Transportation and so much more!
Empower SCI Summer Intensive Program in Missoula, Montana at University of Montana.
Join Empower SCI for community, activities, and therapeutic experiences all surrounded by the beautiful mountain landscape in Montana. Now accepting applications!
Northeast and Teen Programs also available.
Location: Empower SCI Montana
Dates: 6/8/2025 1:00 PM - 6/15/2025 11:00 AM
Ages: Ages 16 - 99
Availability: This session has openings Registration will end on 3/31/2025.
After Hospital Neurological Rehabilitation Meeting the Need
Friday, January 24th 2025 1pm to 3pm EST
The symposium invites outpatient hospital clinics, neuro-rehabilitation facilities, activity based therapy (ABT) centers, and organizations supporting SCI rehabilitation to participate.
In the 2 hour Zoom Webinar we will do the following:
Define, delineate and communicate the crisis in outpatient SCI rehabilitation
Discuss and describe current and future solutions
Determine how organizations can collaborate to share best practices and ideas
Develop strategies to expand access to care including more facilities and funding utilizing private, philanthropic, and governmental resources
Open Date: 10/10/24 Company/Organization Hiring: DPC Status: Open for Application
Community Organizer
The Disability Policy Consortium (DPC) is an independent organization run by and for people with disabilities that provides advocacy, community-based research, and healthcare ombudsman services across Massachusetts. More than 80% of our staff have disabilities, and our credo is “About Us, By Us”—the belief that when decisions are being made about people with disabilities, they should play a leading role in making them. We are committed to social justice and strive to be a place where all our employees can bring their full selves to work.
DPC is seeking a Community Organizer to support our advocacy efforts and policy work. This organizer will work on a variety of campaigns, but their focus will be on issues relating to access to durable medical equipment. This position works within our Advocacy Department and reports to the Director of Advocacy.
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