| |  | |  | A Special Thank You to Our Supporters Travis Roy Foundation
Craig H Neilsen Foundation
Lenny Zakim Fund
Cummings Foundation
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| | | | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging Statement SCIboston is committed to creating diverse, equitable, accessible and inclusive environments, fostering a culture that promotes belonging and provides equal opportunities for all. SCIboston ensures a safe and inclusive space for everyone, without discrimination based on national origin, race, color, religion, disability, gender, gender expression, age, marital status, military status, sexual orientation, or family status. Our programs, services, and policies are designed to be accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the community we serve. SCIboston recognizes that nurturing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging (DEIAB) is a continuous journey requiring unwavering dedication, education, dialogue, and integrity. |
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| In this newsletter you will find: -
SCIboston Launches The Travis Roy Legacy Grant Program *Grants up to $5000* -
Upcoming Events! Friendsgiving Luncheon, Conceivable Gala, After Dark Groups, and Power of Art Gala Save The Date!! - You have a Right to Vote!
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November Advocacy Update -
Peer Mentor Spotlight: Welcome to Our Newest Peer Mentors - SCI Transition Program - Hear How The Program Helped Rory
- Community Tidbits - PCA Course, New Adaptive Driving Evaluation Company, Access to Exercise, Free COVID-19 Tests
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Support Groups -
SCIboston YouTube - 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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To read it in its entirety we suggest viewing it in your web browser. |
| | SCIboston Launches The 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 will rename it The Travis Roy Legacy Grant Program.
The Travis Roy Foundation (TRF) was established in 1996 to help other spinal cord injury survivors and to fund
research. The Travis Roy Foundation was dedicated to helping spinal cord injury survivors live more independent and hopeful lives through adaptive equipment grants. Thousands of spinal cord injured survivors have been empowered through the quality of life grant program offered by The Travis Roy Foundation.
The TRF has been winding down its operations at the wishes of Travis. SCIboston has been fortunate enough to have a strong history with Travis and the TRF, sharing in our missions to help survivors of spinal cord injury.
Since 1992, SCIboston (formerly the Greater Boston Chapter of United Spinal Association and RISE Above Paralysis) has assisted thousands of people- injured and family members alike- who have been affected by traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs). From the moment of injury, we offer hope through support groups and one-on-one support, understanding, and guidance. Our peer mentors and compassionate community show that rich and fulfilling lives are possible in the aftermath of injury.
Historically SCIboston’s quality of life’s grant program was funded primarily through the efforts of Trent Theroux. Trent participated in four long distance swims which raised over $200,000 for SCIboston’s grant program.
Initial funding for the Travis Roy Legacy Grant Program is from a donation from the TRF, proceeds from two wiffle ball tournaments in VT and two paddleboard and hiking campaigns by Allie Skelley.
“Receiving this funding means our organization will be able to continue to offer quality of life grants to the Spinal Cord Injury Community. This includes funding for hospital beds, shower chairs, vehicle modifications, assistive technology and other durable medical equipment that will ultimately enhance an individual’s quality of life” Molly Sebo, Executive Director SCIboston.
Brenda Roy, Travis’ mom said “We are thrilled that Travis’ legacy will live on with this grant program and we are pleased to help the spinal cord injury community in any way we can.”
Grants up to $5,000 are available to qualified individuals in MA, NH, VT, ME and RI. Applications are available on the www.sciboston.org website.
SCIboston is a dedicated group of individuals affected by a spinal cord injury or disorders (SCI/D) including family members, loved ones, healthcare associates and many more.Through grant opportunities, mentorship, support and community building, SCIboston strives to reach, inspire, support and empower individuals with spinal cord injury.
We have offices at Encompass Rehab Hospital in Woburn, MA and at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown,
MA.
Additional information can be found at www.sciboston.org. To donate to The Travis Roy Legacy Grant Program click here! |
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| | Upcoming Events Flyers are clickable. |
| | | Elections are Right Around the Corner!  | | | You have a right to vote! This right is protected by a number of federal laws, including the ADA. Each state’s laws on voting differ, but every state must offer accessibility accommodations to voters with disabilities. These accommodations can include: service animal support, bringing another person to assist with filling out a ballot, accessible parking spaces, and/or voting at a wheelchair accessible polling location or through curbside voting. Contact your state or local election office to confirm that your polling location is accessible to you.
Voting in MA? There are three ways that you can still vote in Massachusetts: | | | | - You can vote by mail by bringing your ballot to a drop box, or by returning it in person to your local election office.
- You can vote by Accessible Electronic Vote by Mail, if you applied by Oct. 29th
- You can vote in person between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on November 5th at your polling location.
Parking, passenger drop-off, sidewalks, entrances, and the voting area of all polling locations must be accessible to people with disabilities in Massachusetts. Each polling location must have at least one accessible voting machine called an AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal. The AutoMARK has a touchscreen and can be equipped with a sip and puff tube or headphones for an audio screen reader. Learn more about voting in Massachusetts with a disability.
Having issues at the polls? The Disability Law Center will have a hotline open on Election Day for voters who are having problems voting anywhere in Massachusetts. Call 617-723-8455 (2024#) or 800-872-9992 (2024#). The Disability Law Center would also like to know if you have encountered barriers to voting at a polling location, and if so, please fill out this survey. You can also file a complaint with the Secretary of State’s office, Elections Division, at 1-800-462-VOTE (8683). | | |
|  Want to read more about new wheelchair repair regulations, the US DOT’s largest airline disability fine, or a PCA training course? Sign up for advocacy emails to get the Advocacy Newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! Or click here to read it online.
Also, don’t forget to Vote! Your voice matters! |
|  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 the HERE to watch a video from our Peer Mentors! To learn more about our other Peer Mentors click HERE! |
|  | Watch Stacie and Rory tell their story at our recent 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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|  | Understanding Spinal Cord Injury: A Course for Personal Care Assistants This course is designed to help the training of personal care assistants who work with clients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The course’s goal is to increase knowledge about SCI, improve communication, and enhance quality of care. For more info click here |
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 | Clinical Driving Evaluations, Adaptive Driving Training,and Readiness to Drive Assessments Owned and operated by Occupational Therapists There's a new adaptive driving evaluation and lesson company in MA. You can find it here: https://www.drive-rx.com/faqs-4 |
| |  | Free COVID-19 Tests: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the United States Postal Service has begun a new program offering free COVID-19 tests. Each order will include four tests that will detect the current COVID-19 variants. One of the available test options is the Orasure InteliSwab test, which is more accessible for people with low manual dexterity. For more information on the features that make the InteliSwab test more accessible, please visit, ACL.gov/AccessibleTests. Order accessible tests here. Order standard tests here. |
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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. Younger Adult Group 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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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: NEW VIDEO! SCI & Mental Health: Challenges and Solutions Spaulding Adaptive Sports & Boston Area Fitness Programs Hollister Products and Insurance Reimbursement Nutrition and Metabolic Changes with SCI/D Cooking with Arash Returning to School After SCI Adaptive Driving And so much more! Click the button below to check them all out! |
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| Resources 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! Click the button below to check them all out! |
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| | | Did you miss a newsletter? All our past newsletters can be found here: |
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| SCIboston
2 Rehabilitation Way | Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
(617) 952-5643 | info@sciboston.org |
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