Dear Wheel-E Newsletter Recipients:

Welcome to the December 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
Resilience Gala 
Invitation to Resilience Gala March 24_ 2017 
In partnership with Cummings Andrews Mackay LLP, Spinal Cord Injury Alberta is proud to announce the
newly renamed Resilience Gala (formerly Red Carpet Affair), taking place on March 24, 2017 at Fantasyland Hotel (new location!) Beverly Hills Ballroom. The evening features awards for outstanding achievements in accessibility in our community, guest speaker and Albertan author Holly Crichton, and a performance by Edmonton Music Award's Male Artist of the year, Mohsin Zaman. Join us in support of Spinal Cord Injury Alberta for an evening of delicious food and drink, local entertainment, both a silent and live auction, and plenty of inspiration! Get your tickets now

SCI Alberta Annual Awards 
Once again we will be presenting annual awards at our upcoming newly named Resilience Gala (formerly Red Carpet Affair)! This year's event is scheduled for Friday, March 24, 2017 and is taking place at Fantasyland Hotel. Lots of exciting information to come! This year, we are looking forward to presenting the Percy Wickman Accessibility Award as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award. The deadline for submissions is December 15, 2016. Click here for more information about Awards Criteria and Nominations Form.

Left: Percy Wickman Accessibility Award 2016.
Carola Cunningham of Ambrose Place accepts award on behalf of Ambrose Place, Niginan Housing Ventures.




Launch of SxH Website

SxH Health - new website about sexual health
Our colleagues at Spinal Cord Injury BC have launched a new sexual health website , developed in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health's Sexual Health Rehab Service. The site is still under development - they will be adding content to some sections and enriching the site with relevant stories from peer members.

Do You Find it Hard to Find a Hotel Room That Meets Your needs as a Person with a Disability? 
Do you find it hard to find a hotel room that meets your needs as a person with a disability? Our friends at Voice of Albertans with Disabilities are looking for your input. They are also interested in finding individuals to take part in focus groups. Contact Donna Graham, at 780-488-9088, Toll-free at 1-800-387-2514 or via email at   projects@vadsociety.ca regarding focus groups or if you have any questions/concerns.
Research Study Participants   
If you would like to participate in a research study called "Association and Mediators of Leisure Time Physical Activity and Mental Health Among People with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in Canada", please complete the survey or you can request the paper copy from the investigators. Further information about the study is presented on the first page of the survey. If you need any further information about the study you can contact Amita Goyal at ag5868@mun.ca/ 709-986-5135.  

Job Opportunity - ADF Coordinator 
The Voice of Albertans with Disabilities is looking for a Coordinator for the Alberta Disabilities Forum (a coalition of non-profit organizations in the disability community).  This position is based in Edmonton. Drivers License a must, as some travel may be required from time to time. Please send your resume to vad@vadsociety.ca indicating salary expectations, no later than December 5, 2016. Only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
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.

A Very Merry Grinchmas Party   
Join us on December 4, 2016 for the Calgary Peer Grinchmas Party from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary. Regular Admission: $20.00, Reserved Table of 8: $100. (Kids 5 and under FREE). Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, Door Prizes, Live Entertainment and more! RSVP to marilyn.erho@sci-ab.ca or 403-228-7434. Space is limited. 
Calgary Christmas Party Invitation 
  
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 
  


Annual Peer Christmas Party - Edmonton 
Edmonton Peer Christmas Party 
Thursday, December 15, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., Glenrose Rehab. Hospital, Unit 3B Atrium.
RSVP by December 8th, 2016 to jamie.hodgson@sci-ab.ca 587-410-2429.

Thank You - Edmonton North Primary Care Network 
 
 
 

A big thank you to Edmonton North Primary Care Network for choosing SCI Alberta as their one day Team Building Volunteering project again this year by decorating our Edmonton office for the holiday season.

National Philanthropy Day 
Top: Leslie Tanzi, James H. Brown, Christine Tanzi. Bottom: Zachary Weeks, Jeanie Brown 
James H. Brown and Leslie Tanzi have been tremendous supporters of SCI Alberta 
and we couldn't have been prouder to join them as they each received a Community Enrichment Award at the Alberta Fundraising Professionals National Philanthropy Awards Luncheon.
 
Medicine Hat 
Medicine Hat Christmas Dinner
We are looking forward to seeing everyone on December 1st at our Christmas Dinner at the Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club.

Bus Bench in Medicine Hat, Alberta 

It is hoped that positive advertising such as the above will help to de-stigmatize disability and feature abilities rather than disabilities. This bench was made possible by the Medicine Hat International Day of Persons with Disabilities Committee, consisting of various community members including SCI Alberta's own Andrea Schulz. Duane Burr is our featured SCI Alberta member and volunteer for IDPD in Medicine Hat.
 

IDPD in Medicine Hat
IDPD Poster for Medicine Hat - December 3_ 2016
In addition to participating in various IDPD presentations and educational events at Mother Theresa School on December 1st, we are also looking forward to the "Experience Adaptive Sports" event coming up on December 3, 12:00 - 4:00 at the Medicine Hat Family Leisure Centre. Try your hand at sledge hockey, boccia, sit volleyball, wheelchair basketball...and more. The day will also include autograph sessions with local athletes, Sarah Mickey and Derek Whitson.
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 (Valentine's weekend!) at the Sheraton Red Deer. Live entertainment by the band "Fused". To purchase tickets, go to www.theleadershipcentre.ca/diamond or contact doug.manderville@sci-ab.ca or 403-341-5060. 
Diamonds _ Denim Poster
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.                              
Peer Events   
Please  note that Tuesday Bowling is postponed until further notice. Please contact Mieke at 780-831-1091 if you would like to know when bowling will be re-started or would like more information.
 
We are looking at holding some information events as well as social gatherings in the new year. We will be running the self-help program, "Discovering the Power in Me", in two-hour sessions on Saturdays at the Grande Prairie office in the Eastlink Centre. The start date is still to be determined but possibly the end of January. Contact Mieke with your vote of interest and for more information.
 
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 
Celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 2, 5:30 - 8:45 p.m. at the Paradise Inn, Rotary Room. Food and beverages will be available. RSVP and donations welcome. City Transit will swing past at 9:10 pm and DTS will provide enough buses so that we can enjoy the evening. The theme for this year is "Inclusion Matters: Access and Empowerment for People of all Abilities" http://www.un.org/en/events/disabilitiesday/.     

Revitalizing Downtown
The City of Grande Prairie will be revitalizing its downtown core through the Downtown Incentives Program This will also help the downtown core become more wheelchair accessible.

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

Nutrition, Active Living and Wellbeing
 
Let's Meet and Create Festive Treats Nutrition Workshop  
Festive Treats Nutrition Workshop_ December 14_ 2016 in Calgary
Join us at SCI Alberta's Calgary office on December 14, 2016 as we create some festive treats.  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. 
 
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 January 2017. 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.     

Accessible University Calgary

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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