| |  | |  | A Special Thank You to Our Supporters Travis Roy Foundation
Craig H Neilsen Foundation
Lenny Zakim Fund
Cummings Foundation
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| | | | We Are Hiring! Social Media Coordinator We are seeking a Part-Time Social Media Coordinator to manage and enhance our social media presence and ultimately to reach more individuals in the spinal cord injury community. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in current social media trends, have a deep understanding of the spinal cord injury community, and possess the ability to create engaging content that resonates with our audience. The full job description is below or click here! |
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| In this newsletter you will find: -
We Are Hiring! -
Upcoming Events! SCI Awareness Day at Fenway, SCI Awareness Day at the State House, Spaulding Community Access Day, and Friendsgiving -
Free COVID-19 Tests -
August Advocacy Update -
Peer Mentor Spotlight: Jon - SCIboston B2RI Grant Program *Grants up to $5000*
- SCI Transition Program - Hear How The Program Helped Rory
- Grupo de Apoyo en Español *Nuevo enlace de hora y Zoom*
- Community Tidbits - Adaptive Mountain Biking and National Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebration
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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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| Due to the length, the end of this newsletter may get cut off by some email providers.
To read it in its entirety we suggest viewing it in your web browser. |
| | Upcoming Events Flyers are clickable. |
| | | SCI Awareness Month Recap! |
|  SCI Awareness Day at Fenway What an absolute blast we had! Thank you to everyone who came out to root on the Red Sox on September 8th! We couldn't have asked for a better day weather-wise. Thank you to Mary Cooper for organizing the event, her daughter and her friend for helping at the table, and the rest of the crew that helped make everything run so smoothly! Thank you too Red Sox for giving us this opportunity to raise awareness and bring so many of the people from our community together. We were joined by REquipment and the Thomas E. Smith Foundation! Thank you to both organizations for coming out and talking about what resources they have for the SCI community. |
|  SCI Awareness Day at the State House On Wednesday, September 18th we joined Massachusetts Walks Again at the Massachusetts State House for Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day! We heard from Eric J. Ruby MD,, Senator Marc Pacheco, researchers that were awarded grants from the Thomas Kennedy Trust Fund, and a member of the Department of Public Health. Community advocates also spoke with legislators about many import issues that are affecting the SCI community. Some amazing strides are being made in research to help individuals with SCI live better longer lives. Thank you to all the speakers and attendees who have shared their time, knowledge, and interest with us today. The take-home message: Not if, but when."
Eric J. Ruby, M.D.
Massachusetts Walks Again Member
Governor's SCI Advisory Board |
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| 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. |
|  This month’s Advocacy Newsletter is coming out a few days later than normal. Sign up for advocacy emails to have it delivered directly to your inbox! In the meantime, check out last month’s issue! Also, now is a great time to reach out to your legislators about the issues you want to see addressed in next year’s legislative session. Up Coming Advocacy Event Alterations: A Review of Requirements in the ADA and ABA Standards
Thursday, October, 3
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern Time Zone |
| Mentor Spotlight Jon was injured at the age of 25 as a result of a diving accident. He is a vent dependent quadriplegic and operated his wheelchair by using a sip-and-puff device. Jon is very experienced in directing his own care. He graduated from Fitchburg State University with a bachelor degree in history and is currently working as an Assistant Director of an afterschool program for students in grades 1-12. Jon enjoys trips to the beach, trying new foods, listening to live music, history, and reading. 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! |
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| SCIboston's Back2RI 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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|  | 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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| Nuevo horario y enlace de Zoom para el grupo de apoyo en español El Grupo Español se ha trasladado a todos los lunes a las 17 horas. (La hora anterior era a las 4 p. m.). Tenga en cuenta también el nuevo enlace de zoom. Nuestros asistentes hablan español, además de portugués y criollo portugués. Damos la bienvenida a todos los que estén interesados en asistir. Grupo de Apoyo en Español Para personas con una lesión de la médula espinal y sus familiares
Día y hora de la reunión: Todos los lunes a las 5:00pm-6:00pm EST
Zoom enlace: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85120305159?pwd=qneB94q11slebftYUddwZt0rWWK9zq.1 ID de la reunión: 851 2030 5159 Contraseña: 287818
Número de teléfono: 929-205-6099 US (New York) |
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|  | Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebration
October 23, 2024, starting at 11am This event, as part of our National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration, will bring together a diverse group of participants, including people with disabilities, policymakers, employers, human services providers, and other key stakeholders. This year, we are thrilled to broaden our focus to include both employment and the important issue of voting rights for individuals with disabilities. In addition to our main event, we will host two significant sessions: a Voting Rights Panel titled "Accessible Democracy: Every Vote Counts" and a Fireside Chat titled "Inclusion in Action: Bridging Gaps in Disability Employment". The Voting Rights Panel will explore the challenges and solutions related to ensuring accessible and equitable voting for individuals with disabilities. The Fireside Chat will feature hiring managers and employees with disabilities discussing their experiences, best practices, and strategies for fostering inclusive workplaces. Learn more in register here! |
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 | Knobby Tire Ride and Roll
Cotober 27th
9am-3pm (rides start at 11am)
Not everyone has the knowledge or equipment to get out into the woods and on adaptive mountain bikes. The Knobby Tire Ride and Roll brings people together to get people outside, accessing trails, no matter their ability level. We join New England Mountain Bike Association at their Wicked Ride of the East with multiple vendors (Spaulding Adaptive, Waypoint Adventures, Bike-On, and North East Passage) to bring aMTBs and adapted wheelchairs to you. We offer two lead and supported group rides in Harold Park State Forest. If you are interested in trying out some equipment please reach out to Ryan DeRoche at ryderoche@gmail.com Learn more 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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