Category Archives: Blog

United Spinal of Va Hits the Beach

On August 13th, United Spinal Association of Virginia members descended on Virginia Beach to participate in the 8th Annual They Will Surf Again adaptive surfing event. The event was organized by Life Rolls On, a non-profit based out of California, founded by Jesse Billauer.

Over 100 surfers, of many disabilities, were joined by 300 volunteers. Each of the surfers has an incredible story to tell, and three of USAofVa’s members added momentous days as they entered the water for the first time since their injuries that resulted from water leisure. It was an emotional and joyous occasion for many.

USAofVa supplemented Life Rolls On’s event by greeting SCI’s at their tent, providing power beach chairs for folks to test drive in the sand (thanks to James Howard), and by hosting a lunch in a hospitality suite that provided some reprieve from the soaring temperatures outside.

The weekend was a wonderful occasion for fellowship and fun for many members and their families.

Keep an eye out for details on They Will Surf Again 2017 presented by Life Rolls On!

 

USAofVa Participates in 5th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill

United Spinal Association of Virginia was thrilled to have the opportunity to have representatives descend on Washington D.C. June 26th for the 5th annual Roll on Capitol Hill, sponsored by the national United Spinal organization. The 4 day event was attended for the second time by USAofVa Executive Director Sharon Drennan, first time attendee Dep. Dir. Richard Bagby, and repeat attendee Bill Furtig. They joined over 150 advocates from 38 states to bring awareness to pertinent legislation to the disabled community (which is detailed here)

The Virginia contingency was welcomed to the offices of all senators and congressmen representing the Commonwealth of Virginia, wherein many subjects were lobbied for.image

The following is a detailed recap of the event from the national organization:

Over 150 wheelchair users, clinicians, partners and disability advocates from 33 states, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, gathered in Washington, D.C. on June 26-29 for our 5th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill to discuss improving disability policies with key congressional leaders.

Roll on Capitol Hill is United Spinal’s annual signature policy event that highlights advocacy priorities for its membership and the broader disability community to ensure wheelchair users and all people with disabilities are included in policy debates impacting their own health, independence, and quality of life.

“I’m delighted to welcome new and returning advocates, and look forward to what the future will bring for United Spinal and for people with SCI/D, veterans and the disability community at large. We look forward to continuing to work with all of you to build upon our many years of service to improve the civil rights and independence of our community,” said David Cooper, United Spinal’s Chairman of the Board who is a wheelchair user and military veteran.

“This is our fifth year hosting Roll on Capitol Hill and every year it gets better thanks to support from our sponsors. We appreciate their commitment to our mission and the work of our advocates to improve the rights of people with disabilities,” said James Weisman, United Spinal Association’s president and CEO.

During Roll on Capitol Hill, attendees took part in over 200 congressional office visits, meeting face-to-face with their representatives and other key legislators to personally discuss their unique challenges living with a disability and the need for:

access to customized rehab technology, prescription drugs, and medical supplies
home and community-based services and supports so that individuals can live and participate in their communities;
accurate incidence and prevalence data for individuals living with spinal cord injury and other conditions;
minimum standards of safety and quality for adaptive equipment at the VA;
funding of home modifications and adaptations for all categories of disabled veterans;
funding, grants and tax credits for veteran homebuyers.
On June 27, Roll on Capitol Hill attendees participated in a full day of policy briefings from advocates, agency officials and former Capitol Hill staffers.

The day began with Keynote Speaker Maria Town, Associate Director for the Office of Public Engagement, Executive Office of the President.

“The work I do would not be possible without the leadership of United Spinal and support from all the advocates at Roll on Capitol Hill. Thank you for all your advocacy efforts this week and the continued advocacy you will pursue once you leave DC. Hearing from all of you helps to ensure the White House is doing more to benefit the disability community,” Town said.

On the evening of June 28, United Spinal hosted a Congressional Awards Reception to recognize members of Congress for their outstanding service to people with disabilities and veterans, including:

The Honorable Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and The Honorable Mark Kirk (R-IL) were honored with the Junius A. Kellogg Outstanding Congressional Leadership Award for their vocal support of disability and veterans issues.
The Honorable Mazie Hirono (D-HI) was honored with the VetsFirst Congressional Bronze Star Award for her efforts to increase opportunities for veterans living with disabilities and to help them reintegrate into their communities.
The Honorable Charles Schumer (D-NY) was honored with the James J. Peters Disability Rights Champion Award for his extensive leadership for the disability community
United Spinal also honored consumer advocate Stephanie Woodward, Esq. who received the 2016 Finn Buller’s Advocate of the Year Award for her dedicated work to ensure the full integration, independence, and civil rights of people with disabilities.

“It’s truly an honor to receive the Finn Bullers Advocate of the Year Award, not only because Finn was an incredible advocate, but because his life embodies the very reason the Disability Integration Act was written – to keep disabled people out of institutions and in the community. It’s heartbreaking to know that such a great advocate was forced into an institution and died there when he should have been living in freedom. I’m proud to receive this award named for Finn and I will continue to fight for the Disability Integration Act so that all people with disabilities can live in freedom,” Woodward said.

For more information about the public policies that United Spinal addresses at Roll on Capitol Hill and throughout the year.

United Spinal gratefully acknowledges our Roll on Capitol Hill sponsors for their support of our members and advocates in making a positive difference in the lives of thousands of individuals living with disabilities.

USAofVa Attends Sportable’s Annual Paralympic Experience Day at VCU’s Siegel Center

On Friday April 15th Sportable, in partnership with VCU’s Center for Sports Leadership, Sportable hosted their annual Paralympic Experience Day.

The event took place at VCU’s Siegel Center and was MC’d by NBC12’s Marc Davis.

Participants, including many USAofVa members, got the chance to try some adaptive sports offered by Sportable including: hand cycling, weightlifting, goal ball, sit volleyball, power soccer, and wheelchair basketball.

The evening culminated with an exhibition wheelchair basketball game featuring the newly crowned NIT National Champion Sportable Spokes v.s. The VCU Rams men’s basketball team. The Rams competed well while adjusting to the adaptive sport, but were no match for the young Spokes. The Spokes took home bragging rights with a 23-13 final score.

The main event had an equally impressive encore. Mark Zupan made a gracious appearance, lending his celebrity to the Paralympic

Mark Zupan, Paralympic Gold Medalist and star of "Murderball"

Mark Zupan, Paralympic Gold Medalist and star of “Murderball”

Experience. Zupan captained the 2008 USA Olympic wheelchair rugby team to gold in Beijing, and is the star of the critically acclaimed documentary “Murderball”. Zupan capped the evening off by speaking to the Spokes and attendees about how his disability has added so many positive things to his life. His ultimate message was to not let disabilities hinder your dreams, you can still accomplish a great deal…just in a different way.

Sportable is hosting another Paralympic Experience Day for those living in the Piedmont region on April 23rd at Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center.

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U.S. Paralympics and IPC Host Roundtable on How Sport Aids Disability Employment

3/10/16-Washington D.C.- The U.S. Paralympics and IPC hosted leaders in disability advocates for a round table discussion and panel. The subject of the talks was how sport has a positive impact on unemployment amongst disabled people.

From www.Paralympic.org:  “Several of the US’s leading disability advocates attended the meeting which was hosted by the IPC and US Paralympics.
A woman with brown hair and glasses speaks to an audience and holds a piece of paper featuring a graphic to illustrate a point. Judith Heumann, Special Advisor for International Disability Rights, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, US Department of State, addresses the IPC/USOC roundtable discussion in Washington© •
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The IPC and US Paralympics hosted several leading US disability advocates at a roundtable discussion in Washington DC, the USA, on Wednesday (9 March) to talk about improving employment opportunities for people with a disability.

Held at the US headquarters of IPC international partner BP, panellists included IPC President Sir Philip Craven, Judith Heumann, Special Advisor for International Disability Rights, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, US Department of State; Jennifer Sheehy, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Disability Employment Policy, US Department of Labour and Cheri Blauwet MD, Chair of the IPC Medical Committee and Instructor in Physical Medicine Rehabilitation/Sports Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dan Brooke, Chief Marketing Officer of British broadcaster Channel 4, also joined the event via video conference from London, Great Britain.

To kick-off the three-hour panel, Judith Heumann gave a broad perspective on disability rights in the US, covering both historical and current challenges and opportunities, whilst Jennifer Sheehy talked about US employment rates, barriers and interventions for people with a disability.

Three-time Paralympian and seven-time medallist Cheri Blauwet then presented results from a pilot study which revealed that people with a spinal cord injury are 2.4 times more likely to be in employment if they participate in organised sport.

Sir Philip Craven revealed data from a joint IPC/U.S. Paralympics research study into attitudes towards disability and employment in the US. The research revealed:

– One in three Americans think a person with a disability would not be able to do their job.

– 39 per cent believe an employee with a physical disability would get paid less compared to other employees doing the same job, and worrying one in nine people believe less payment would be justified.

– 28 per cent would not hire a person with a disability for a job

Finally, Dan Brooke spoke at length about how the London 2012 Paralympics Games not only transformed attitudes towards people with an impairment in Great Britain but were the broadcaster’s finest hour, changing the way they operated as a socially inclusive business.

Sir Philip Craven said: “The roundtable event was part of our strategy to raise awareness in the US of the transformational effect of the Paralympic Movement ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and I would like to thank all those who attended Wednesday’s roundtable discussion.

“There was lots of excellent dialogue involving several leading disability advocates in the US. I think everyone in the room, especially after hearing from Channel 4’s inspirational Dan Brooke, fully understood the role Paralympic sport can play in transforming attitudes and contributing to a more equitable society for all.””

First Peer Mentor Training Sessions are in the Books

This weekend marked a monumental step in United Spinal Association of Virginia’s marquee program, Peer and Family Mentoring.

Participants included 20 peer and family mentor candidates, from across the state, with the max for each of the one day sessions being 10. Many additional community partners were represented, as well, in order to gain knowledge of the comprehensive mentoring USAofVa mentors will be able to offer their clients.

The class was conducted by Lindsey Elliot MSW, of the United Spinal Association’s national office. Participants were given a myriad of tools to help them be the most effective and professional mentors they can be.

With an estimated 250 individuals sustaining SCI’s each year, in Virginia, the Peer Mentoring program will be key to helping those new injuries navigate their rehabilitation and healing.

USAofVa would like to extend a HUGE ‘Thank You’ to those who volunteered their time and engaged in very productive learning sessions, and committed themselves to further serving future SCI’s in their communities!

If you would like to get information about becoming a mentor by joining an upcoming training session, or know someone who could benefit from a peer mentor relationship, please click here!

Peer Mentoring #2

Virginia Governor recognizes USAofVA member, Joshua Smith, with STEM Catalyst Award

Josh Smith is the founder of Handizap and a 2013 Mechanical Engineering graduate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. In August 2014, while visiting Virginia Beach, Josh dove into a wave and struck a sandbar, causing a burst fracture of his C-5 vertebrate – resulting in him becoming a C-6 quadriplegic. While in physical rehabilitation, Josh was given assistive technology to help him use his electronic devices; however, these devices required continued assistance to use. As a solution to this problem, Josh developed a ring stylus that could be worn on the pinky finger, named the 6th Digit.

In March 2015, Josh and friend Jared Rhodes founded Handizap via a Kickstarter campaign to manufacture the Sixth Digit and develop assistive technologies. Since the initial shipment in September, the Sixth Digit has been delivered to Kickstarter supporters, rehabilitation facilities, businesses, and individuals across 22 states and eight countries worldwide.

On February 5, 2016 Governor Terry McAuliffe released a statement honoring Josh and others, which reads in part,“The innovations and discoveries by these outstanding individuals and companies are essential to our work as we build a new Virginia economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “As we continue the tradition of honoring professionals and businesses that make significant contributions to science, it is fitting that we also recognize students and individual citizens who are using STEM to make Virginia a better place.”

– Read more about Josh’s recognition Here!

-To learn more about Josh’s invention and/or purchase your own, click Here!

-New Mobility Magazine’s feature article on the 6th Digit.