 | Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month (SCIAM) is observed annually in September. Wearing lime green clothing or ribbons shows your support, as lime green is the official SCIAM color. This month aims to raise awareness about spinal cord injuries, promote education, share advocacy opportunities, and support research and advancements in the field. SCIboston invites you to join us for three upcoming fun, informative events (flyers below) to raise SCI awareness. We are also planning fun, engaging social media posts. Follow us using the icons below to participate and help raise awareness about living with a spinal cord injury! |
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| | | | Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging (DEIAB) statement can be found here. |
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| In this newsletter, you will find: - VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS: NEW GROUP!!
- BBQ Social and Char Wash Recap
- Upcoming Events
- Tickets On Sale! SCI Awareness Day at Fenway
- SCI Awareness Day at the MA State House
- Spaulding Community Access Day
- Thank You to the Cummings Foundation
- Advocacy Update
- Peer Mentor Spotlight - Donna
- Looking to Connect with a Peer Mentor?
- Testimonial Statement Request
- Thank You To Our Sponsors
- Wandercraft Virtual Event
- Travis Roy Legacy Grant Program
- The Steven F. Riley Educational Memorial Scholarship
- SCIboston's SCI Transition Program - Do You Know Someone In A Nursing Home?
- Ways You Can Contribute to SCIboston
- *United Spinal Special Offers: Whirlpool and Betterhelp Discounts*
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| Este correo electrónico se puede traducir al español o al portugués utilizando el traductor de su cliente de correo electrónico, que se encuentra en la configuración de su correo electrónico. Si necesita más ayuda, podemos traducirlo por usted. Escríbanos a [email protected]. |
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| Because of the length, some email providers may cut off part of this newsletter.
We recommend viewing it in a web browser for the best reading experience. |
| |  | Announcing SCIboston’s New Monthly Support Group starting Friday, September 25th, 6pm-7pm EMPOWERING disABILITY is a monthly* virtual support group for Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, and other people of color living with spinal cord injuries throughout New England. This group provides a welcoming and supportive space centered on connection, representation, and the lived experiences of racially and ethnically diverse members of the SCI community. Together, members support one another in navigating life with SCI while promoting independence, personal growth, and quality of life. Led by SCIboston Peer Mentors, Chris Johnson and Sindy Cruz
*Fall 2026 monthly sessions will meet on the following dates:
Friday, September 25th, 6pm-7pm
Sunday, October 25th, 6pm-7pm
Wednesday, November 18th, 6pm-7pm
Friday, December 18th, 6pm-7pm Join Zoom Meeting: HERE
Meeting ID: 842 5673 9828 | Passcode: 345258 | Phone in Number: 929-205-6099 |
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Virtual Support Groups Join the SCIboston community for one of our many virtual support groups designed to meet the needs of individuals with an SCI (spinal cord injury) and for family members impacted by SCI. Our groups are safe and supportive spaces for our members to connect with others, ask questions, share experiences, and empower one another to reach their goals. Each group is led by an experienced SCIboston Peer Mentor whose role is to structure the meeting by facilitating introductions, meaningful topics, and open discussions. No need to RSVP-meeting links are the same each week. SCIboston support groups (with the exception of the Nutrition Group) are open to individuals and family members living in New England. If you are looking for support groups outside of the New England area, please visit www.unitedspinal.org to see their support groups offerings. Our groups are open to all gender identities and sexual or romantic orientations. If you have any questions regarding Support Groups, want to know which group might be a good fit for you, or would like more information, please contact SCIboston’s Community Involvement Coordinator, Heidi Estrada at [email protected] Click here for our full list of support groups. |
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| | Summer BBQ Social/Chair Wash Recap What a memorable day we had at our Summer BBQ Social on August 9th at the Woburn/Stoneham Elks! We had a record 93 attendees, three of them won fun raffle prizes, and Chef Jason served delicious BBQ. Thank you to everyone for the amazing donations of medical supplies that Erik Kondo just shipped to Zimbabwe; you can see his post here. We also collaborated with Left Loosey Bike Collective for our first Chair Wash! We serviced 14 wheelchairs with 12 volunteers from mechanical and therapy backgrounds. The focus was cleaning, but we also did light maintenance and education to keep chair users safe and informed. It was wonderful to give back to our community! Thank you to all the volunteers and all who joined us for making it such a great event! Our Social Media Coordinator, Thalita, captured the day perfectly in this reel on our Instagram account :)
Thank you to the Cummings Foundation for sponsoring this event and making it possible! |
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| | |  | SCIboston is thrilled to team up with the Boston Red Sox for our 5th Annual Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day at Fenway 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 grouped seating, and a limited-edition hat give-away. The Red Sox have put aside limited 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! Be sure to stop by the Community Table, where SCIboston and The Thomas E. Smith Foundation will be sharing information and raising awareness about spinal cord injury. We are also excited about Keelan Zenion being honored for the Red Sox Hats off to Heroes and Kristen McCosh as Leader of the Pack portions of the game. Come celebrate them with us! Thank you to Mary Cooper for putting together this awesome event every year! |
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| |  |  | Join SCIboston at Spaulding's Community Access Day to learn more about us and help us spread the word about SCI Awareness Month! We will have a table, giveaways, and more. Don't miss this fun and educational event! |
| |  |  Staff Update SCIboston’s Advocacy Coordinator, Vita Brown, will be taking a temporary leave of absence. We wish Vita all the best during her time away and look forward to welcoming her back to SCIboston. In the meantime, SCIboston remains committed to our advocacy efforts and will continue to keep our community informed about important issues and opportunities to get involved. From DPC: Wheelchair Repair Bill Update Following Formal Session Following Formal Session Unfortunately, the Senate did not adopt Amendment 373 to the Economic Development Bill - meaning that the Wheelchair Repair Bill was not passed during formal session. But it is still alive. The Legislature is now in informal session, where bills can still pass through January 5 if there are no objections. The Senate passed the Wheelchair Repair Bill during informal session last legislative session, and in 2022. We are optimistic that it can happen again. The Senate continues to express support for the bill, despite Amendment 373 not being adopted. The House continues to be our biggest hurdle, even with Representative Jim O'Day's strong leadership and support. Check out this article from GBH for more information about where the Wheelchair Repair Bill is right now and our path forward. Next Steps Right now, the most important thing each of us can do is continue reaching out to our own State Representatives. They need to hear directly from the people affected by these delays. Most legislators have never experienced what it means to wait weeks or months for a wheelchair repair. They have not lived through missed medical appointments, missed work, isolation, or the health consequences that can come when a wheelchair is out of service. That is why our stories matter. Keep sharing your experiences. Keep documenting repair delays. Keep showing what life looks like when essential mobility equipment isn't working. Every conversation helps legislators better understand that this is not an inconvenience. It is a civil rights issue that affects their own constituents. We know this has been a long road, but we are not finished yet. Thank you for continuing to advocate, share your stories, and stand together. We will continue to keep everyone updated as we learn more about next steps. Reach out to Destiny Maxam ([email protected]) with questions. This opinion piece was written by Tony Coelho, a former United States congressman from California and a primary author and sponsor of the ADA, and Barbara Merrill, the chief executive officer of ANCOR, an organization which advocates for community-based providers of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The authors decry recent federal funding cuts and other actions that seek to decrease support for home and community-based services, which enable many individuals with disabilities to participate in family and community life and avoid “expensive, isolating institutions.” This new tipsheet from the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the Department of Labor provides information to help employers and hiring managers ensure compliance with the ADA and other laws while getting the maximum benefit from an interview with an applicant with a disability. Research Study on Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace Researchers at the University of Washington are studying the best ways to help people with disabilities navigate the reasonable accommodation request process. Study participants must be 18 years old or older, currently employed or actively job searching, have a disability and need or are considering a workplace accommodation, and read and speak English. The study is fully online and involves surveys, review of materials, and possibly a brief follow-up interview. If interested, email the researchers to learn more. The Choices for Increased Mobility Act (H.R. 1703/S. 247) would explicitly require Medicare to create new codes to allow suppliers to bill consumers for just the cost of the upgrade to an ultralight manual wheelchair. This bill is sponsored in the House by Reps. John Joyce (R-PA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and Kim Schrier (D-WA), and in the Senate by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). Event SCI-Patient Focused Drug Development (SCI-PFDD) that is scheduled for September 29th from 10:00am-3:00pm ET. The SCI-PFDD Meeting is an opportunity to put the priorities and unmet needs of people living with SCI at the center of treatment development and evaluation. You don’t have to be an expert or polished public speaker to participate. Individuals with SCI and care partners can listen, respond to live polls, and share comments throughout the meeting.
Every perspective helps the FDA and treatment developers better understand daily life with SCI, experiences with current treatments, and what the community needs from future research. To register for this event and for more information visit: https://www.scipfdd.org/register |
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| Peer Mentor Spotlight Name: Donna Injury Level: T11-12 Year of Injury: 1977 Donna was injured as a teenager. She attended college later in life and graduated with a BS in Finance. She is retired after a career in finance and is currently very active in her community, including the Woburn Middlesex Lions Club, North Suburban YMCA, participating in monthly food drives to benefit Woburn Council of Social Concern, and collecting coats and jackets during the winter months. Donna is happily married, enjoys being outdoors, exercising, adaptive sports, swimming, cooking, healthy eating, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Donna has been a long-time mentor for SCIboston and is known for her upbeat, positive outlook, and is very knowledgeable about SCI life. |
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| 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. SCIboston Peer Mentors have completed SCIboston and United Spinal Association Peer Training Program, completed HIPPA training, passed background checks, and are, in many cases, certified Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital volunteers. 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 [email protected] to learn more today. To learn more about our Peer Mentor program click here to watch our Saturday Education Series about it. |
| Hello SCIboston community, We have a small but meaningful request. SCIboston is proud to be able to offer our programs to individuals living with SCI, it is what we love to do and we hope we are doing it well. SCIboston is looking to share our impact through your voices with our donors, stakeholders, and foundations so they can have an opportunity to hear from the people we serve. If you have been positively impacted by any of our programs- - Peer Mentor
- Support Group
- Social Event
- Saturday Education Series
- Transition Program
- Travis Roy Legacy Grant Program
- Steven F Riley Memorial Educational Scholarship
- Dr. Haywards course- Navigating Change:Resilience and and Adaptation after SCI
- Advocacy
We would be incredibly grateful if you could share a brief statement (1-2 sentences) with us about how it made a difference to your life. It does not need to be long or formal, just a sentence or two would be incredibly helpful. With your permission, we may use these statements in grant applications and other funding requests to help demonstrate the value and impact of our work. If you would like to offer a statement you can send it to [email protected] Thank you for taking the time to share what SCIboston has meant to you. Your voice helps us demonstrate why this community matters and helps us continue offering programs and services at no cost so that no one has to navigate life with SCI alone. Thank you for your support and for being a part of SCIboston!  Molly
Executive Director |
|  |  Save the Date: September 17! Wandercraft is hosting a special virtual event on September 17 featuring an exciting announcement for the SCI community. We encourage our SCIboston community to tune in and hear the news firsthand. Stay tuned—we’ll share more details on how to join as they become available! |
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| SCIboston's Travis Roy Legacy 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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| The Steven F. Riley Memorial Educational Scholarship SCIboston is proud to offer the Steven F. Riley Memorial Educational Scholarship, created to support individuals with spinal cord injuries as they pursue educational and professional goals. This scholarship honors Steve Riley’s legacy by investing in opportunity, independence, and lifelong learning. Funds may be used for tuition, books, certification programs, or other education-related expenses that help recipients move forward with confidence. Thanks to the generosity of Linda (our spotlighted Peer Mentor below) and Stacey Riley, this opportunity has been created in Steven’s memory and offered through SCIboston to honor his perseverance and compassion. Apply here — https://www.sciboston.org/sfreducationalscholarship |
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|  | Watch Stacie and Rory tell their story at our 2024 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 [email protected] for more information or to recommend a candidate. |
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| We rely on donations, sponsorships, and grants to sustain our peer programs. If SCIboston has made a difference in your life or in the life of someone you love, please consider supporting us so we can continue helping others just as we were able to help you. Please consider - donating. You can also choose to make a one-time donation or make recurring donations. You can also check with your employer to see if they match donations.
- starting a Facebook and Instagram fundraiser for SCIboston. It is simple to set up and allows your followers to contribute easily. Holding a birthday fundraiser is a great way to give back and raise awareness.
- sponsoring one of our upcoming events! This is a great way to support our programs while getting some advertising for your business or organization. Contact [email protected] for more information about sponsorship.
- volunteering. We are always looking for volunteers to support our social and fundraising events. We are also looking for help with various administrative tasks. Reach out to [email protected] to learn more!
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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| | United Spinal Special Offers |
|  | Whirlpool's Inside Pass | United Spinal Association members now have access to a new, valuable benefit. Whirpool’s Inside Pass program is an employee, friends and family discount program that offers factory discounts and insider perks for a variety of Whirlpool-owned brands, including Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana and Gladiator.
The level of discount varies by product, but members can expect significant savings.
Inside Pass offers free delivery on major appliances priced at $399 and over, a dedicated customer support team, and options for professional installation. They also offer significant discounts on small appliances like toaster ovens, blenders, mixers, food processors, coffee machines, rice cookers and more. Gladiator garage storage solutions — like toolbenches, wall cabinets, overhead storage systems and more — are also included in the program. | | |
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 | Betterhelp Trial Discount United Spinal Association has partnered with BetterHelp to support the health and well-being of our members. Get matched with a licensed therapist for convenient and professional therapy. To activate the Betterhelp month trial, please use the instructions below. The code to activate the benefit is e3774 if existing members need it. All new members are given the code when they join in their emailed welcome letter. BetterHelp is one of the worlds largest online therapy platforms providing: - Over 30,000 licensed and vetted therapists to choose from based on your personal needs and preferences
- Four ways to talk with your therapist: video conferencing, phone, live chat, and asynchronous messaging
- The ability to speak with your therapist when and where you want to
- Members may send a message to the therapist at any time. Video, phone, and live chat sessions are available through scheduling
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| | Did you miss a newsletter? All our past newsletters can be found here: |
| | Helpful Websites For our full list of SCI resources, click here |
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| SCIboston
2 Rehabilitation Way | Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
(617) 952-5643 | [email protected] |
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