| |  | 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! |
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| In this newsletter you will find: - Upcoming Events (Summer Social, SCI Awareness Day at Fenway)
- Allie's Paddle
- Next Shift WIFFLE Ball Tournament Update
- Advocacy Update (ROCH 2023)
- Spinal Cord Injury Transition Program
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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 (ADA Day Boston 2023) -
Helpful Websites |
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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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| | | | The Red Sox tickets email we sent out had two typos. Please see the corrections in GREEN below. We apologize for any confusion.  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* We are thrilled to team up with the Boston Red Sox again for Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month and honor individuals living and thriving with paralysis, along with their families, friends, and caregivers. What better way to bring awareness to the community about SCI than coming together at Fenway for a Red Sox game with an on-field presentation, grouped seating, and a limited-edition hat give-away. For all the details and to purchase tickets click the buttons below! The Red Sox have put aside discounted accessible and regular seating to accommodate all abilities. Your ticket purchase includes a special edition Red Sox SCI Awareness baseball hat (different color from last year, while supplies last). We have a limited number of tickets available, so get yours today! To purchase tickets click the buttons below that give 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). If you need more tickets or assistance please contact Hannah Gailey, from Red Sox ticket sales at hgailey@redsox.com. Gates open at 12:05pm for the 1:35pm game time start. Hats will be distributed inside Gate B. Come early to see members of the SCIboston at the 1pm on-field presentation. Please note that there is limited accessible seating. In order to accommodate as many wheelchairs as possible we ask you to consider getting your companion seats in front of your seat. We’d like to maximize the number of wheelchairs in the limited accessible spots and appreciate your help with this. We do understand that this may not be not feasible for everyone’s family or personal situations. We want to fill the seats, so bring your family, friends, and share this with anyone that you know that has a SCI/D. Click the share button at the bottom. 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. For general questions, contact info@sciboston.org. We are so excited and cannot wait to share this day with you! Go Sox! | | | | | | |
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| | | Check out this year's hats! Thanks Mary for designing and modeling them and your tireless efforts of 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 in August 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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|  Thank you to the Travis Roy Foundation and the Next Shift WIFFLE Ball Tounament fundraisers! Over $45,000 were raised by the teams to benefit the SCIboston Grant Programs! Doug Frey, our Board President was there to represent us and he said that it was a seriously fun event for all. We are beyond grateful to TRF for helping us continue our mission and Travis's legacy to improve the lives of individuals living with spinal cord injury. Thank you! |
|  United Spinal invited many grassroots advocates to the annual Roll on Capitol Hill this last month. Mary Cooper and her daughter represented SCIboston. Check out all the great things that they advocated for while they were there in this month's advocacy update! Advocacy Update Interested in getting notifications about our advocacy efforts or being an advocate on the state or national level? |
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| 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 SCIboston 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. |
| 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: Folding Travel Power wheelchair 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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| |  | | | 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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