Spinal Cord Injury Transition Program

Do you know someone with an SCI that is living in a nursing home? We are pleased to announce that the GBC has a Spinal Cord Injury Transition Program which assists individuals with SCI in transitioning out of nursing homes to living in the community. This program was started in December 2021 and is led by Occupational Therapist, Stacie Selfridge. 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.

info@sciboston.org www.sciboston.org

In this newsletter you will find:

Upcoming events: Annual Gala and Saturday Education Series
Advocacy Update
Looking to Connect with a Peer Mentor?
Grant Program
For Sale/Donations (NEW ITEMS AVAILABLE)
Support Group Information
GBC YouTube (NEW VIDEO: Returning to Work After SCI)
A Good Read and SCI Watch
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Helpful Websites

Image description: save the date for our annual gala! Please save the evening of Saturday, April 1 to attend the GBC's annual gala at the Hilton in Dedham, MA. We are looking for volunteers to join subcommittees as we plan the gala. We will also need volunteers the night of the event. More detailed information to come. if you are interested in helping out in any capacity please let us know as soon as possible. Your support is appreciated!

Event flyer description: Saturday education series, adapter driving, saturday, January 21 2023 comma 11 AM-12:30 PM. Join the GBC for an information session on adaptive driving. Eric Lajeunesse, certified mobility consultant from Mobility works, we'll discuss the process of getting back to driving or selecting your next vehicle. He will share information and answer questions about adaptive driving equipment, vehicle modifications, accessible vehicle options, driving evaluations, and sources of funding. Click on the flyer Image to join the meeting.

Click the link to join the meeting!

Click the button below for this months advocacy update where you will find information about a job opening at R-TAG, streetscape improvements, City Hall accessibility, the wheelchair warrantee protection bill, and updates from United Spinal.

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.

January Advocacy Update

Looking to Connect with a Peer Mentor?

Are you or a family member looking to connect with one of the GBC'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. The GBC'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 the GBC's Peer Mentor Coordinator, Jessika, at jcoromel@partners.org to learn more today.

Thumbnail hyperlink of testimonial video from Grant recipient Emmett.

A hyperlink thumbnail for a video with Grant recipient Alan.

GBC Grants

Our Grant Program assists individuals with paraplegia or quad/tetraplegia due to 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.

Items Eligible for Grant:

• Durable Medical Equipment (DME) - Examples of eligible items include: upgrade and maintenance of wheelchairs, small home modifications including ramp and lift installation, computers, shower chairs/benches and other DME.

• Vehicle Modifications- Examples of eligible items include: hand controls, lifts, and wheelchair locking systems.

To learn more about the eligibility requirements, what our grants cover, and to fill out the application click the button below. Also, click the videos above to hear from two of our Grant recipients!

Grant Program

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:

Returning to Work After SCI (NEW)

Accessible Travel

SCI Awareness Month Playlist

Bowel Health

MA Medical Cannabis Program

And so much more!

Click the button below to check them all out!

Returning to Work After SCI

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

SCI/D Discussion Group

And many more!

Click the button to access more information and the zoom links!

Virtual Groups

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:

Shower Chairs

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!

For Sale/Donation

A Good Read and SCI Watch

Zuk Fitness Offers New Online Workout Option for Wheelchair Users

New Mobility - Steve Wright

It's that time of year to create new goals and habits. This article and Youtube channel is a great place to start!

"Zuk Fitness is an online fitness service created by and for wheelchair users. It offers live and prerecorded workouts led by both paras and quads. Strength, cardio, warmup and stretching routines can all be completed from your wheelchair, often with minimal equipment."