info@sciboston.org                    www.sciboston.org

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Hello Friend,

In this newsletter you will find:

  • Upcoming events
  • *We Have An Open Position: SCI Transition Liaison*
  • Advocacy Update
  • A Good Read 
  • Event Flyers
  • Group Information
  • For Sale/Donations 
  • GBC YouTube (New Video!)

Upcoming Events: 

  • Calling All Wheelchair and Scooter Users:  Help Test the New MBTA bus Wheelchair Securement System, November 5th, 11AM-3PM;

    For years, the MBTA has used a four-point manual securement system on buses to keep riders’ wheeled mobility devices in place. In 2021, they began piloting a new, fully automated system called Quantum.

    Quantum uses a robotic arm that deploys around the device’s wheels, and automatically adjusts its grip throughout the trip to ensure safety. The system also allows riders to independently secure and release their device with the push of a button. It also promises more upper-body stability during abrupt stops.

    The MBTA has arranged a Special Live Demonstration for the Spaulding-area community! You can drop in, or contact the MBTA Dept of Systemwide Accessibility (SWA) at swa@mbta.com or (617) 222-5254 to register. Click here for full details and location!

  • Saturday Education Series: Staying Well After SCI: How Lessons From the Past Can Help Us Build a Better Future, November 20th, 11AM-12:30PM; 

    Please join Dr. Robert Master and Dr. Susan Biener Bergman on November 20 to learn about how Boston’s past contributions to SCI care and the Independent Living Movement can help us chart a course for improving SCI life in the future.

    Dr. Master founded Boston’s Community Medical Group with his late wife, Dr. Marie Felton and nurse practitioner Mary Glover. Dr. Bergman worked with Dr. Murray Freed at the New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center and joined BCMG shortly after it moved to Boston Medical Center. Both have worked to improve the quality of life for people with SCI for decades. Click here to join us!

  • Thanks Giving Open House, November 25th, 11AM-1PM; Come to our “virtual table” with a few things for which you are thankful for! Drop in to say hello and spend some time together! Click here to join us!

  • **Giving Tuesday Virtual Fundraiser** Please join us for our Virtual Fundraiser on Giving Tuesday, November 30th at 7:00pm on Zoom. This year we will have a chance to socialize at the end of the program. So get dressed up if you would like, grab some snacks and a drink, and join us to hear about how we have impacted the spinal cord injury and disorder (SCI/D) community over the past year. We will hear from our Chapter leaders, Board of Directors, and members of the SCI/D community. Please help us to maintain our programs that improve the lives of people living with SCI/D. We can't do it without your support! To register, please CLICK HERE.

  • Virtual Discussion Groups via Zoom! All meeting information at the bottom of this newsletter. Women's, Kid's, Nutrition & SCI, Significant Other's, Grupo de Apoyo en Español!, Newly Injured, After Dark: Wives & Girlfriends, After Dark: Women with SCI/D, After Dark: Men with SCI/D, SCI/D Discussion, and Family Social Hour.

If we made a difference in your life or that of someone you love, consider a gift to allow us to continue to assist others as we assisted you.

We rely on donations, sponsors and grants to fund our peer programs.

Helpful Websites

United Spinal Association Resources and Webinars

Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Resources and Webinars

Informative Webinars: Living with an SCI

Facing Disabilities: for families facing spinal cord injuries

New Mobility Magazine

Spaulding New England Regional SCI Model System

ReUse DME Website: Refurbished Durable Medical Equipment

 Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System Informative Webinars 

AbleThrive: Curated Content Just for You

If you attended our virtual fundraiser or donated to the GBC in 2020, you may be eligible for a special $300 tax deduction. The GBC is a qualified 501(c) organization. Click here to read the following article for more information. 

Did you miss a newsletter? All our past newsletters can be found here:

Newsletter Archive

 

 

Open Position

SCI Transition Liaison 

An SCI Transition Liaison is needed to manage an exciting new project to empower those Boston area individuals who have a spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D) and are in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) to assist them to return to independent living.

The SCI Transition Liaison will identify appropriate candidates who are currently within nursing homes and assist them in identifying and procuring the resources necessary for a successful transition into the community (e.g. housing, caregivers, assistive technology, etc). , The Transition Liaison will travel to meet with individuals at the nursing homes to screen and evaluate their potential to be discharged to an independent living arrangement. The SCI Transition Liaison will engage with the individual and work with him/her along with staff at their current facility towards eliminating the existing barriers to independent living. The SCI Transition Liaison will be able to engage all parties in comprehensive planning and be savvy with the Massachusetts resources to promote community and independent living (e.g. affordable and accessible housing programs and options, the MA Moving Forward Plan, services and coverage offered by MassHealth, applying for grants, etc). An ideal candidate will be proactive in seeking out resources and developing relationships with community service partners and agencies with the goal of successfully transitioning individuals from a nursing home to independent living.

This is an exciting opportunity to assist in developing a program to improve the quality of life for individuals with SCI/D who need additional assistance to achieve their goal to live back in the community instead of living long term in a nursing home. This project is grant funded for two years.

If you're interested, please click the button for more information!

 

Advocacy Update

Click the button below for this months advocacy update where you will find information on a field test for the new MBTA's Wheelchair Securement System for buses, standards for accessibility in housing, PCA program, and accessible housing and workplace legislation.

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.

 

A Good Read

The Weird and Wonderful Tokyo Paralympics

Did you watch this year's Paralympics? What was your favorite part? Here's a great article that talks about many of the athletes in the conditions they faced in Tokyo. Click the button below to have a good read!

 
 

Virtual Discussion 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. Click the button below to access more information and the zoom links!

For Sale/Donated

Are you looking for or do you have Durable Medical Equipment, Assistive Technology, Adapted Vehicles or an Accessible Home for sale? This month we have:

Invacair PDX Power Chair
Kia Soul Ramp Vehicle 
Concept Rower
And so much more!
 
Click the button below to for more information!

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:
MA Medical Cannabis Program(New)
SCI Research Studies(New)
And so much more!

Click the button below to check them all out!

 

Thank you to all of our sponsors!

Greater Boston Chapter of United Spinal Association
2 Rehabilitation Way  | Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
(617) 952-5643 | info@sciboston.org

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