Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois
SCIA's October 2014 Newsletter 
Interesting Information

6th Annual Disability Culture Cabaret

Come enjoy a live performance of poetry, spoken-word, music, comedy, and touchable artwork! This fun event will take place at Access Living 115 West Chicago Ave in Chicago, IL on Friday November 14th, 2014 6:30-8:00 PM. Personal assistants, narrative description, and sign language interpretation will be provided.

 Injury Prevention

SCIA offers Think First, a national brain and SCI prevention program. Volunteers who are spinal cord injured go to local schools, libraries,  community centers, and  other groups to offer prevention information and discuss their personal experiences.The program is presented free of charge. If you would like to learn more, or schedule a program, contact SCIA.

Are you an Amazon Shopper?

Donate to SCIA by registering your Amazon account with Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois! It only takes a couple minutes and does not cost you a penny.  Amazon will contribute .5% of your total purchase to our organization. We thank you for your support!
Calendar of Events

6th Annual Disability Culture Cabaret
Friday, November 14, 2014 6:30-8:00 PM @
Access Living
115 W. Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60654

MOPD
12th Annual Summit for Youth with Disabilities
Saturday,
November 15, 2014
Workshops 9:30 am-noon
2102 West Ogden Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
312-746-5743

SCIA Winter Benefit
'Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay'
Saturday,
February 21, 2014
Crystal Grand Banquets
Lemont, IL

Follow SCIA
  
Pikes Peak is Wheelchair Accessible
A Note From Lee Krizka

What can I say about anyone with a disability who wants to "climb every mountain" without actually climbing?   Go to Pike's Peak in Colorado and take the Cog Rail train up there!  The ride is three hours ( bathrooms are accessible on the ground as well on top of the peak)  
Terrain is doable with a bit of help.  ASK for help!!!  There are NO guard rails!!   
One thing I learned and want to pass along.  If you have an air inflate cushion as I do (varilite) be SURE to adjust the value as you ascend then Readjust on the decline!!  I didn't think about it and when I got to the top, my cushion had all but exploded!!  Quick release of the air valve fixed it!!  Remember, the summit is 14,110 ft!!!!  Adjust your valve, put on a coat and don't forget your camera!!!! 

Park District Adaptive Sports Programs

Watch for your neighborhood park district's fall brochure for adapted sports programs in your community.  Some adapted sports activities may include Sled Hockey, Wheelchair Softball, or Power Soccer.  Many programs are through the Special Recreation Association.  Stay active in your community today!



Scuba Opportunity
with Adaptive Adventures

Adaptive Adventures is looking to set up dates to offer a "discover scuba" experience in the Chicago area.  This would be a one night in pool experience, about 2 hours, where you can try scuba and see if you like it.  They would need each interested person to have their doctor sign off on a form to clear them to do this in advance.  There is no cost to this program.  They are still working on dates and location.
They are able to offer the opportunity to get someone certified in scuba.  Each interested person would need to have their doctor sign off on a form to clear them to do this in advance and be willing and able to do the classroom and pool sessions before December 31.  Depending on the person and timing, this would take 3-8 days. There is no cost to this program.  Dates and location will be determined.
If you know people with a SCI that are already certified, they could potentially attend a trip December 11-17 in Cozumel, Mexico.  Information can be found on
Prices reflect full price with airfare being extra.  A $500 grant for people with a SCI is available.
For more information please contact Janice Strayve, Cycling Manager,
at 303-679-2770 x 211 or janice@adaptiveadeventures.org

Beyond Boundaries
 
Here are some pictures from the amazing Beyond Boundaries experience.  We hope some of you will join us next year! 
    
 
Adaptive Sports Events For Veterans 

* FREE Workout Sessions for Veterans: Elite X Training (EXT) would like to welcome all veterans to our fitness facility and have a great free workout session- first Monday of each month at 6:30 pm.  EXT is located at 14 W. Willow Street in Lombard, IL.  Call and reserve your spot as space is limited. All levels of physical ability are welcome.
Call 630-785-3072 or visit eliteXtraining.com

 Bank of America Chicago Marathon 

We are so proud of our 8 Bank of America Chicago Marathon runners! They did a tremendous job raising funds for SCIA and were dedicated to months of training to complete this amazing personal accomplishment.  We were honored to have our board members Steve Burns and Beth Gorman hold the finish line for the wheelchair race. When SCIA began participating in the event in 2002, there were  8 wheelchair racers. Under Past SCIA President Kim Muir's leadership, along with the assistance of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, the Chicago Park District, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the marathon staff, improvements for the wheelchair racers were made and our participation grew. This year there were 60 wheelchair racers registered and 54 finished! The winner was Joshua George!


A HUGE thank you to our runners
John Nichols
David Chen
Rob Lasken
Tara Mittleman
Tom Loftus
Kristen Carnehl
Colleen Trant
Lisa Czarnecki

There is still time to donate!
Home Services Program Newsletter

Home Services Program (HSP) supports tens of thousands of individuals with disabilities who are living successfully and independently in their communities.  This newsletter will help keep you up to date on forthcoming initiatives...and give you the resources to manage the changes as they roll out those initiatives. For the rest of the HSP Success Newsletter, please visit
SCI Support Groups:
for persons with injuries & families
Advocate Christ Medical Center
Guest Speaker: YOU!
4440 W. 95th Street
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Ground Floor 0 Room 0265
Tuesday, October 28, 2014 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Guest Speaker on Nutrition
Tuesday, November 25, 2014 5:00-6:00 pm

Refreshments will be served
Contact  Mercedes Rauen at SCIA 708-671-1808 or sciinjury@aol.com

Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hosptial
26W171 Roosevelt Road
3rd Floor Gym
Wheaton, IL 60187
Social! Bring your favorite treat to share!
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
6-7:30 pm
Contact Monica Blaauw for meeting dates and locations

Hope Clinic Support Group
Sponsored by United Access
2924 N. Dirksen Pkwy
Springfield, IL
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Topic: Neurogenic Bladder
Guest Speaker: Dr. Ahmed El-Zawahry 
Contact Christie Davis for more information

Cross Disability Support Group
for various disabilities

Memorial Medical Center
701 North First Street
Springfield, IL 62702
Room B 149 Springfield Conference Room
Second Saturday of the month
1:00-3:00 pm
Contact Lisa Cline at 217-788-3461 or Cline.Lisa@mhsil.com

 

The SCIA newsletter is an informational resource only.  SCIA neither endorses nor recommends services provided by any of the sources listed therein.
 
Click here to become an SCIA member
Click here to donate to SCIA
Follow us on Facebook
  
 
Phone: 708-671-1808  Fax: 708-671-1807  E-mail: SCIInjury@aol.com
�2010-2014 Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois. All Rights Reserved.