Dear Wheel-E Newsletter Recipients:

Welcome to the October  2016 issue of Wheel-E, the monthly newsletter of Spinal Cord Injury Alberta. Wheel-E includes information about news and events related to spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities. 

Spring_Summer 2016 Magazine 
SCI Alberta also publishes Spinal Columns, a magazine that includes features and regular columns about important issues that individuals with disabilities face today.

Check out our Spring/Summer 2016 issue featuring the Honourable Kent Hehr.

If your contact information has changed or if you would like to receive Spinal Columns, please contact us at 780-424-6312, 1-888-654-5444 or publications@sci-ab.ca or  click here to sign up to receive your issue of Spinal Columns by email.
Canada Helps donation logo
 
To make an online donation,  click here 
National and Provincial News
Quarterly Update from Teren Clarke, CEO 
Teren Clarke, CEO provides her first online quarterly update about what's happening at SCI Alberta. Check out the video below!
 
 
Staff Retreat 2016 
Had a great day at our provincial staff retreat in Red Deer with tons of team building. Great to regroup and refocus on our goals for the year and beyond!
Staff Retreat image
 
Don't Miss This Opportunity to Have a Say About What an Accessible Canada Means to You!
 
 

Zachary Weeks 

The Government of Canada is leading consultations to inform planned accessibility legislation. In person sessions are coming soon to your community. Now is the time to have your say!

Sessions taking place in Edmonton, Friday, October 7th, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Matrix Hotel, 10640 100 Avenue NW and in Calgary on Thursday, October 13th, 9:30 - 12:30 p.m., Telus Convention Centre (Macleod Hall A), 120 Ninth Avenue SE. 

If you would like to pre-register for an in-person session, or to notify us of accommodation needs, please contact the Office for Disability Issues: Phone: 1-844-836-8126, TTY: 819-934-6649, Fax: 819-953-4797, email accessible-canada@hrsdc.gc.ca. Look forward to seeing everyone there!

Our Zachary  Weeks (local Champion for Edmonton) doesn't want you to miss this opportunity to have a say about what an Accessible Canada means to you!

 
National Housing Strategy Consultations 
Expert roundtables are being held to discuss new approaches to housing challenges that could become part of Canada's National Housing Strategy. Tune in to the closing plenary session which features the highlights of the day and summarizes the challenges and opportunities that were discussed.

All Canadians deserve access to housing that meets their needs and that they can afford. The Government of Canada is looking for bold and innovative ideas to improve the future of housing in Canada. From homelessness to affordable homeownership to sustainable housing and everything in between, they want to hear from you on a variety of housing-related themes. Share your ideas.

MS Society - Moving Towards Wellness Workshop 
The MS Society of Canada, Alberta and Northwest Territories Division is pleased to present the "Moving Towards Wellness - MS Wellness Workshop". The workshop will feature two presentations from experts on achieving wellness for people affected by MS. Workshops will be held in Calgary (October 12th, 2016), Red Deer (October 13th, 2016) and Edmonton (October 14th, 2016). 
    
What's  Local in Yo ur Community
Calgary  
Calgary 2016 Peer Events
Peer event information is posted as it becomes available on the SCI Alberta  website as well as on  Facebook and  TwitterFor more information, contact marilyn.erho@sci-ab.ca
at 403-228-7434.

Lunch & Bowl 
Join us on Friday, October 14, 2016 for 10 pin bowling at Let's Bowl, 2916 - 5th Avenue NE, Calgary. Bowling from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and lunch from 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Bowling - Free, Lunch - your own cost. Proudly sponsored by Pipella Law. RSVP by October 12th to marilyn.erho@sci-ab.ca or 403-228-7434. 
Lunch and Bowl Peer Event - Calgary on October 14_ 2016 

Wanna Race? 
If you are interested in taking part in a group peer event at the Race Room in Calgary, we would love to hear from you.  RSVP by October 11 to marilyn.erho@sci-ab.ca or call 403-228-7434.
Race Room Poster 
 
Peer Christmas Event - Save the Date! 
Spread some holiday cheer on December 4th as the Calgary peer program celebrates at MacEwan Hall, U of C. Stay tuned as we confirm more details.

Accessible U 
Accessible Housing in Calgary launched Accessible U on Monday, September 26. Accessibility takes many forms in many places: physical environments like homes and offices, transportation like buses, and websites with speak-to-text features. Accessibility continues to become more and more relevant to all of us. Learn more at Accessible U.
 
  
Edmonton
Edmonton 2016 Peer Events
P eer event information is posted as it becomes available on the SCI Alberta  website  as well as on Facebook  and  Twitter . For more information, contact  Guy Coulombe  at 587-410-2427. 

Spooky Spines and Broken Bones Peer Event - Edmonton  
Join us at our  Spooky Spines and Broken Bones Peer Event scheduled for Wednesday, October 26, 2016, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Glenrose Rehab. Hospital Gymnasium (main floor, Glen East). RSVP by October 24th, 2016 to jamie.hodgson@sci-ab.ca or 587-410-2429.


Research Study   
SCI Alberta, SCI Ontario, and Spinal Cord Injury BC have partnered with UBC Okanagan to research the peer mentor-mentee relationship. Receive $20 to participate!  Click here to participate. Contact marilyn.erho@sci-ab.ca or teren.clarke@sci-ab.ca.







International Day of Persons with Disabilities 
Thursday, December 1, 2016 at the Ramada Edmonton Hotel and Conference Centre. Click here to find out more. 

Rogers Place Opens - How Accessible is It?
Rogers Place has 73 accessible seats plus the same number of companion seats; located throughout the arena. Read full article. 
Zachary Weeks at Rogers Place


Open Heart, Open Mind 
An evening with Clara Hughes, six time Olympic Medalist and Mental Health Advocate takes place on Friday, October 14, 2016, 7:00 p.m. at the Arden Theatre, 5 St. Anne St., St. Albert. Open Heart, Open Mind is Clara's personal journey through physical and mental pain to a life where love and understanding can thrive.  
 
Red Deer
Diamonds & Denim - February 11, 2017 
Join us as we dine and dance the night away at our upcoming Diamonds & Denim event on February 11, 2017 at the Sheraton Red Deer.  For more information contact doug.manderville@sci-ab.ca or 403-341-5060. 
Diamonds _ Denim in Red Deer - February 11_ 2017
Grande Prairie
SCI Alberta Grande Prairie Peer Information Sessions/Other Activities:
For more information on any upcoming peer events, contact Mieke at 780-532-3305 or  grandeprairie@sci-ab.ca or check out ACCGP Peer Program Facebook Grande Prairie. 

Don't Stay Away if the Lights Are On! 
Mieke will be away from October 5 - 15th however volunteers will be in from time to time - so don't stay away if the lights are on! Also, please leave telephone messages as usual. An SCI Alberta worker will respond to urgent telephone requests.


Prairie Mall Community Kiosk 
Robin and Mieke will be at the Prairie Mall Community Kiosk on October 6, 9:00 - 12:00. Stop by and say hi!
       
Social Bowling  
Every Tuesday at Bowling Stones Ten Pin Entertainment Center, 11005-106 Avenue. Game starts at 4:30, visiting starts at 5:30. Join us for conversation if you don't want to bowl. $4.00 per game. Cribbage, pool and other games are often available as well. Volunteers welcome. Phone Mieke at 780-831-1091 or keep your eye on the  Accessible GP and Peace Region Facebook page for bowling updates. Check with Cecil if you have questions. He can be reached at  shorelinececil@gmail.com.  



Hockey Game Peer Event   
Looking at getting a group together to watch hockey game in October. Please contact Robin Nolius if you're interested in joining in (780) 933-0093.  Watch this link http://sci-ab.ca/news_events/grande-prairie for information regarding updates and future events.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 
The theme for this year is "Inclusion Matters: Access and Empowerment for People of all Abilities" http://www.un.org/en/events/disabilitiesday/. Keynote speaker is Dylan Sparks, up and coming Paralympian from Grande Prairie. Innovative toastmasters will be presenting other speakers as well. Tickets will be available soon. 

What Does an Accessible Canada Mean to You? 
If you would like help completing the consultation form regarding "What does an Accessible Canada mean to You?" just contact mieke.de.groot@sci-ab.ca as soon as possible.

For More News and Community Events in Grande Prairie 
For information about other community news and events,  click here.

Nutrition, Active Living and Wellbeing
 
Nutrition Workshop  
"Let's Make Gnocchi" at our next Nutrition Workshop coming up in Calgary on October 19, 2016. Just bring your own tea towel, and Kasey our in-house Certified Nutritionist will tell you how it's done while having fun! For more information contact   kasey.aiello@sci-ab.ca or 403-228-7427. 
 
Gnocchi Nutrition Workshop
  
Ways to Give
Use Your Power for Good - Sponsor Energy

Sponsor Energy image
Announcing a POWERFUL partnership with  Sponsor Energy Inc. ! Get a great wholesale rate on electricity and natural gas for your home! Turn an ordinary, everyday purchase into a way to help US at no additional cost to YOU. Sponsor Energy splits its profit 50/50 with us on every kilowatt of electricity and gigajoule of natural gas that your home uses. Hey, you have to buy it anyway... why not use your power for good? Find out more.




Agents of Change 
 
Our partnership with Agents of Change empowers you to support us in a substantial way if you are considering buying or selling a home.
  Click here  to find out more.





Become a Spinal Cord Injury Alberta Member - Make Your Voice Count 
Spinal Cord Injury Alberta has been providing services and support to Albertans who have experienced a spinal cord injury or physical disability since 1961.

For a list of the many benefits available through your $25 membership, click here. Call 780-424-6312 or toll free 1-888-654-5444 to renew your SCI Alberta membership.

 
Click here to find out more about our ongoing resources.

Submissions/Subscribers/Contact Us
 
Please let others know about Wheel-E! They can subscribe by emailing or giving us a call at  publications@sci-ab.ca  (780) 424-6312 or toll-free: 1-888-654-5444
 
Please give us your thoughts and feedback on our newsletter. If you have announcements you would like posted, please submit to publications@sci-ab.ca
 
The next issue of SCI Alberta Wheel-E will be published the first week of November 2016. Deadline for submissions is on or before the 26th of each month. Whenever possible, please send in your announcements before the deadline!
 
For more information about Spinal Cord Injury Alberta, visit our website at http://www.sci-ab.ca     
Spinal Cord Injury Alberta neither endorses nor guarantees any of the products or services advertised in Wheel-E or on our website.     

Spinal Cord Injury Alberta
305 Hys Centre, 11010 - 101 Street, Edmonton, AB T5H 4B9  
780-424-6312  | info@sci-ab.ca  | www.sci-ab.ca
SCI Alberta also has offices located in Red Deer, Calgary, St. Paul, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie. 
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