| |  | | Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging (DEIAB) statement can be found here. |
| | Thank You To Our Sponsors 
Bob Nichol, Robert Mueller, and Bernhard Metzger in memory of Karen Zander A Special Thank You to Our Supporters  |
| We rely on donations, sponsorships, and grants to sustain our peer programs. If SCIboston has made a difference in your life or in the life of someone you love, please consider supporting us so we can continue helping others just as we were able to help you. Please consider - donating. You can also choose to make a one-time donation or make recurring donations. You can also check with your employer to see if they match donations.
- starting a Facebook and Instagram fundraiser for SCIboston. It is simple to set up and allows your followers to contribute easily. Holding a birthday fundraiser is a great way to give back and raise awareness.
- sponsoring one of our upcoming events! This is a great way to support our programs while getting some advertising for your business or organization. Sponsor our 2026 Gala here!
- volunteering. We are always looking for volunteers to support our social and fundraising events. We are also looking for help with various administrative tasks. Reach out to molly@sciboston.org to learn more!
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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| In this newsletter, you will find: - Travis Roy 3 x 3 Hockey Classic Fundraising Tournament Recap
- Volunteers Needed: TR24 Legacy Wiffleball Tournament
- Upcoming SCIboston Events
- *TICKETS ARE ON SALE* SCIboston's 2026 Gala!!!
- Saturday Education Series:
- The Steven F. Riley Educational Memorial Scholarship
- Community Needs Survey Announcement
- SCIboston's Travis Roy Legacy Grant Program
- Advocacy Update
- Thank you to the Lenny Zakim Fund
- Peer Mentor Spotlight - Rey
- *Updated* Virtual Support Groups
- SCI Transition Program - Do You Know Someone In A Nursing Home?
- A Good Watch: Our Saturday Education Series: Nutrition and your Neurogenic Bowel is now on our YouTube Channel!
- A Good Read - Testing the Strutt ev1: A Glimpse into the Future of Power Wheelchairs
- Community Tidbits: U.S. Access Boar Webinar, Article: 10 Grips, Handle and Gadgets for Hands That Need Some Help
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We recommend viewing it in your web browser for optimal reading. |
| |  | Travis Roy 3x3 Hockey Fundraiser Recap
December 20 | Boston Sports Institute, Wellesley, MA On December 20, SCIboston proudly hosted the Go Forward! Travis Roy 3x3 Hockey Fundraiser at Boston Sports Institute. We are incredibly grateful to General Manager Tommy Benjes, who generously secured the donation of ice time, making this exciting event possible. The tournament featured 10 teams and delivered an unforgettable finish. TAP claimed the championship after a thrilling final that went into five minutes of overtime, showcasing the competitive spirit and camaraderie that was the spirit of the night. SCIboston athletes Tommy Benjes, Jacob Gurdin, Hayden Frey, and Ellis Vish each took to the ice to support their individual fundraising efforts for the NHL Foundation U.S. 2026 Go Forward! campaign benefiting SCIboston's Travis Roy Legacy Grant Program and other organizations advancing research, recovery, and accessibility for individuals living with paralysis and neurological conditions. Each player has secured a spot to play in the Travis Roy Hockey Classic in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2026 as part of this two-city fundraising initiative. SCIboston is honored to be one of five beneficiaries of the Go Forward! campaign. We wish our players- Tom, Tommy, Jacob, Ellis, and Hayden the best of luck on February 1 and extend a heartfelt thank you for their fundraising efforts—and for helping plan and host an outstanding 3x3 tournament. Donate or sponsor the players here! |
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| Volunteers Needed: TR24 Legacy Wiffleball Planning Committee  SCIboston is seeking volunteers to join the TR24 Legacy Wiffleball Tournament Planning Committee for the 2026 tournament on June 27 in Essex Junction, Vermont, at Little Fenway. Committee members help with event planning, logistics, outreach, and day-of coordination. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to get involved behind the scenes, we’d love to have you join us in honoring Travis Roy’s legacy and supporting the SCI community. Contact Molly at molly@sciboston.org to learn more. |
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| | Upcoming Events! Flyers are Clickable |
| Tickets are now on sale! Click the button below.
SCIboston's 2026 Annual Gala: The Power of Peer Mentoring
Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 4:30 PM
Boston Marriott Newton
We are excited to announce that the highlight of this year's Gala is honoring our Peer Mentors and the incredible work they do for the SCIboston community. The Power of Peer Mentoring is a night to celebrate connection, community, and comradery within the spinal cord injury community. We will honor the power of lived experience - those who have navigated SCI themselves - offering guidance, understanding, and hope to newly injured individuals and their families. Get your tickets before they sell out by clicking the button below!
Gala Silent Auction & Raffle Donations The Gala Silent Auction & Raffle Committee is actively seeking item donations for the event. Suggested categories of popular items include event tickets, sports memorabilia, gift baskets, vacation getaways, artwork, unique experiences, and restaurant gift certificates. If you are interested in donating, please contact Diane DeRoche at diane@SCIboston.org |
|  |  Join us for the
Caregiver Panel: Bridging the Gap on Tuesday
January 20, at 4:00 PM ET
during the Care Support Working Group meeting. This important panel will feature a diverse group of caregivers (including SCIboston’s Vita Brown) who will share their lived experiences, perspectives, and insights on the current state of care support in the United States. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A discussion Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83249488607?from=addon
Meeting ID: 832 4948 8607 |
| *Save The Date*
Saturday Education Series
Learn About Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation (ARC-EX)
January 31, 2026 11am-12:30pm Join us for an informative webinar with Inspire Lab to learn about transcutaneous spinal stimulation (ARC-EX).
More information to come. Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83675304419?pwd=dy9QZFdrWjZVdHlKcllydzltU3pRUT09
Meeting ID: 836 7530 4419
Passcode: 730377
Dial In: 929-205-6099 |
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| | The Steven F. Riley Memorial Educational Scholarship SCIboston is proud to offer the Steven F. Riley Memorial Educational Scholarship, created to support individuals with spinal cord injuries as they pursue educational and professional goals. This scholarship honors Steve Riley’s legacy by investing in opportunity, independence, and lifelong learning. Funds may be used for tuition, books, certification programs, or other education-related expenses that help recipients move forward with confidence. Applications are now open—https://www.sciboston.org/sfreducationalscholarship |
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| Exciting Opportunity to Share Your Voice! We’ll soon be launching a short Community Needs Survey and invite everyone connected to the spinal cord injury (SCI) community to participate. It only takes a few minutes, your responses are completely confidential, and the insights you share will help shape resources and support for the community. Plus, participants can enter a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card! Don’t miss the chance to make your voice heard. |
| SCIboston's Travis Roy Legacy Grant Program 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 $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! |
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|  Celebrating Our Wins This Year: This past year has been a big one, filled with countless opportunities to advocate. We’ve seen significant change, much of it complex and challenging, with more ahead of us. At times, it has felt like a flood – information to absorb, actions to take, and issues demanding our attention – all while we continue to navigate our everyday lives. Before we turn our focus to the challenges ahead, let’s pause to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and where we’ve made meaningful progress. Taking stock of our wins gives us the perspective and energy we’ll need for the fights to come next year. -
Showcasing SCI research and its impact on the community - This September, in collaboration with Massachusetts Walks Again, numerous SCI researchers and clinicians, we had our biggest SCI Awareness Day at the Statehouse yet! Check out a recording of the event here. -
Celebrating the ADA through action - SCIboston partnered with 60+ other disability organizations for ADA35, with a big group of advocates from SCIboston showing up for disability rights! What a great way to celebrate 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Check out photos from the event on our instagram page! -
Making an impact in Washington, D.C. - In July, three wonderful advocates traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent our chapter at United Spinal’s Roll on Capitol Hill, where they met with Massachusetts Congressional Offices to discuss cuts to Medicaid, accessible transportation challenges, and the urgent need for national wheelchair repair legislation. Check out photos of the event here and send me an email if you’d be interested in attending a future Roll on Capitol Hill. -
Empowering advocates through education - In May, Gerard Arnum, Grassroots Advocacy Manager for the Dana & Christopher Reeve Foundation, joined us for Getting Started with Grassroots Advocacy – a SCIboston Saturday Education Series on the basics of advocacy. Watch the session here. -
Protecting MassHealth PCA funding - Last January, Governor Healey attempted to enact future cost restrictions to the MassHealth PCA program by capping spending growth. Along with many other disability and aging organizations, we successfully prevented this proposal from being included in the final budget, ensuring continued investment in independent living programs for another year. Keep an eye out for next year’s budget and potential advocacy around PCA funding at the end of January. -
Advancing wheelchair repair legislation - Two wheelchair repair bills (S.2662 and H.4358), which would reduce delays in wheelchair repairs, moved out of committee in both the Senate and the House. This is a major step forward toward passing wheelchair repair legislation next year. Be ready to email your legislators in support – let 2026 be the year we get these bills across the finish line! -
Defending Section 504 Protections - Seventeen states brought a legal challenge targeting recent updates to Section 504, including provisions that strengthen access to accessible medical care, and raising broader constitutional questions about the law. In response, the disability community nationwide mobilized to defend these protections. While the case has not been dismissed, states are no longer pursuing a sweeping challenge to Section 504 as a whole, and the remaining aspects of the case have been paused until at least next January. Need a refresher? Click here for a synopsis by the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund. -
Preventing cuts to REquipment funding - During the budget process, REqiupment was set to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars for their program distributing free, gently used, durable home medical equipment (DME) and assistive technology (AT) throughout Massachusetts. What could have been a huge loss to our community was successfully prevented, thanks to advocates reaching out to their legislators and sharing the impact REquipment has had on their lives. Read this motivating blog post by one of our community members about her fight for REquipment Take Action: -
Help inform a policy brief by the National Council on Disability regarding the need for disability clinical care and competency training of medical professionals. Submit your comment here by January 6, 2025. Events: -
Thursday, January 8th: U.S. Access Board Webinar: New Year, New Hobby – Find Your Accessible Recreation Fun!, from 2:30 - 4:00 pm, ET. As always, if you want advocacy opportunities right at your fingertips. Sign up for Advocacy Emails to be delivered right to your inbox. |
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| Thank You to The Lenny Zakim Fund  SCIboston is grateful to The Lenny Zakim Fund for five years of dedicated support. Their commitment to listening to communities most impacted by inequity—and providing the funding, essential resources, and support needed to create lasting change—has strengthened SCIboston’s ability to deliver education, peer support, and direct funding to individuals and families affected by spinal cord injury. We are honored to partner with a fund that champions grassroots leadership and works toward a more just and equitable world where communities thrive. |
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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. SCIboston Peer Mentors have completed SCIboston and United Spinal Association Peer Training Program, completed HIPPA training, passed background checks, and are, in many cases, certified Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital volunteers. 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. To learn more about our Peer Mentor program click here to watch our Saturday Education Series about it. |
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| Peer Mentor Spotlight Name: Rey Injury level: T12 Complete Year of injury: 1997 Age at time of injury: 14 Rey sustained a T12 complete spinal cord injury in 1997 at the age of 14 due to bacterial spinal meningitis, which left him in a coma for several weeks. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Entrepreneurship and began his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 16 by starting his own clothing line. Rey enjoys chess, handcycling, swimming, and solving puzzles. His spinal cord injury expertise includes knowledge of colostomy care and adaptive sports. |
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| Update to SCIboston’s Support Groups: Wives and Girlfriends/Partners of SCI Support Group This monthly group supports women who are wives, girlfriends, and partners of a person with SCI. The group discusses the unique challenges and joys related to living life with a partner with SCI, including self care, relationships, intimacy, family planning, and more.
Meets the 1st Wednesday of each month from 7:00pm–8:00pm EST and is led by SCIboston’s Community Involvement Coordinator, Heidi Estrada
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88996317238?pwd=dktWbDVQaVJ4L3YxM1EwZnY5Q3pPQT09
Meeting ID: 889 9631 7238 | Passcode: 906115 | Phone in Number: 929-205-6099 US Thursday Women’s Support Group
This monthly group supports women with SCI by providing a space to discuss relatable topics unique to women living with SCI, including women’s health, relationships, intimacy, family planning, and more. Meets the 1st Thursday of each month from 7:00pm–8:00pm EST and is led by SCIboston Peer Mentors, Michaela Devins and Alejandra Taco.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81584062526?pwd=Nfa7loIJ8QaeFPv5bylaiNjgqSlSMf.1 Meeting ID: 815 8406 2526 | Passcode: 413095 | Phone in Number: 929-205-6099 Men’s Support Group
This monthly group supports men with SCI by providing a space to discuss relatable topics unique to men living with SCI, including men's health, relationships, intimacy, and more. Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month from 7:00pm–8:00pm EST led by SCIboston Peer Mentor Ryan DeRoche
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82370780730?pwd=TlFUaE81UlFoT0UzK0RwUTEvUXk3QT09
Meeting ID: 823 7078 0730 | Passcode: gbc1 | Phone in Number: 929-205-6099 Virtual Support Groups Join us for any of SCIboston’s Virtual Support Groups that meet your needs as an individual or family member impacted by a spinal cord injury or disorder. Our groups offer opportunities for questions, open discussion, emotional support, resources, and more. All of our facilitators are trained SCIboston Peer Mentors who are there to structure the meeting, guide conversation, and help meet the needs of attendees. We want our attendees to feel comfortable and know that any level of participation is welcomed, even if you would just like to listen. No need to RSVP, meeting links are the same each week. Scroll down for a full list of group descriptions and zoom links. SCIboston's Support Groups (with the exception of the Nutrition Group) are open to individuals and family members living in New England, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. If you have any questions regarding Support Groups or want to know which group might be a good fit for you, please contact SCIboston’s Community Involvement Coordinator, Heidi Estrada at heidi@sciboston.org SCIboston Facebook Group: SCIboston has a Private Facebook Group for members of our community to stay connected and engaged with one another. You can also post items for sale and share local events. Here is the link to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3404016333192937 We have many other virtual support groups including:
Younger Adult Group - Mondays from 5:00pm-6:00pm Grupo de Apoyo en Español - Todos los lunes a las 5:00pm–6:00pm Monday Women’s Support Group - Mondays from 6:30pm–7:30pm
Nutrition Group - Tuesdays from 12:00pm–1:00pm
Significant Others’ Support Group - Tuesdays from 5:00pm–6:00pm
Newly Injured - Wednesdays from 4:00pm–5:00pm
SCI/D Discussion Group - Thursdays from 4:00pm–5:30pm
Family Groups - Thursdays from 5:00pm–6:00pm
Click the button to access more information and the Zoom links! |
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|  | Watch Stacie and Rory tell their story at our 2024 Gala HERE. |
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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.org for more information or to recommend a candidate. |
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| A Good Watch
Saturday Education Series: Nutrition and your Neurogenic Bowel  Did you this live webinar? That's okay, because it is now available on our YouTube channel! Constipation? Diarrhea? Upset stomach? Indigestion? You all know the jingle, but do you know what can be done to help? Neurogenic bowel is a common complication of spinal cord injury and yet it's not talked about enough, especially in terms of what you can do. This interactive presentation will help you understand what neurogenic bowel is, what foods can help or hinder your symptoms, and how to take back some control. Presented by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Dietitians, Megan Morris and Olivia Morgan.
Click HERE to watch! |
| A Good Read  Testing the Strutt ev¹: A Glimpse into the Future of Power Wheelchairs December 16, 2025 Seth McBride I was a bit skeptical of the Strutt ev¹ when I first heard about it in a press email announcing “a Tesla-level innovation in personal mobility.” I’m all for innovation, but smart wheelchairs have been talked about for decades, and recent advancements in power wheelchairs usually feature similarly soaring language with few true changes in user experience. My skepticism was two-fold. One: Would a company with no prior experience in the personal mobility space be able to build a wheelchair that functions well for full-time wheelchair users? Two: Would “advanced sensor systems” and semi-autonomous drive technology be useful for someone looking to navigate their world independently, or would they make you feel like a passenger in a robotaxi — along for the ride but with little say in how you get from A to B? I took a trip to “Strutt Day” in San Francisco to find out. Read this great article here! |
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| | |  | U.S. Access Board Webinar: New Year, New Hobby—Find Your Accessible Recreation Fun! | Want to fulfill a New Year’s resolution? Curious to try something new? Join the U.S. Access Board for a webinar on accessible recreation on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 2:30 – 4:00 PM (ET). Whether you love boating, fishing, or playing golf, recreational activities are a part of a healthy life. This presentation will highlight provisions in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards that pertain to making boating facilities, fishing piers and platforms, golf and mini golf accessible for people with disabilities. Actual technical assistance scenarios will be used to provide real-life examples and to further knowledge of applying the Standard to recreational facilities. For more information or to register, visit the Great Lakes ADA Center’s webinar webpage. All webinars include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning. Questions can be submitted in advance of the session or can be posed during the live webinar. Webinar attendees can earn continuing education credits. The webinar series is hosted by the ADA National Network in cooperation with the Board. Archived copies of previous Board webinars are available on the site. Learn more here | | | | | |
| |  | 10 Grips, Handles, and Gadgets for Hands That Need Some Help If you have arthritis, tremors, hand weakness, or a limb difference, these products can make everyday life a little easier By Chloé Valentine As an amputee with one arm, it’s a feeling I know all too well. I drop my phone so often that I go through phone screen protectors like they’re going out of style. I’ve had to ask my doorman to open jars for me, and I have struggled to lift heavy dishes countless times. If you struggle with dexterity, have weak hands or arthritis, or, like me, you’re limb different, you know the struggle. The world is full of irritating things we must hold on to. But it’s also full of gadgets designed to make these tasks easier. The trick is weeding through them to find those that are actually helpful. With that in mind, I tested a bunch in my own home. Read the full article here |
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| SCIboston
2 Rehabilitation Way | Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
(617) 952-5643 | info@sciboston.org |
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