~To empower, educate and connect those living without both arms or all four limbs. |
|
{ November 2021 Newsletter } |
|
Executive Director's Message
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Virtual Skills for Life 5 1/2 Workshop October 15-16, 2021. According to Whova we had 330 registered attendees 85 of which were limb loss/limb different,180 were healthcare providers, the rest were family members or sponsors and our attendees came from over 20 different countries! The Virtual Workshop was recorded and will be available to registered attendees soon, please see below for more information.
If you have ever thought about joining Ronnie for his fundraiser bowling tournament, now is your opportunity. Come be a part of the fun on February 12-13, 2022 in Livingston, TX. You don't have to know how to bowl or have any special equipment, just be ready to have fun and connect with others missing both arms or all four limbs.
Please don't forget to block off your calendars for Skills for Life 6 taking place October 5-9, 2022. There will not be any virtual options so make plans to join us in person for this life changing event. Information and sponsorship opportunities can also be found below.
And last, but not least, Giving Season is quickly approaching so please consider a donation to Enhancing Skills for Life, 501c3 or another charity of your choice and be a part of this amazing global movement.
|
|
|
Skills for Life 5 1/2 Recordings & Links
We will have the Whova Platform available to us through the middle of January. We hope you will take advantage of this awesome opportunity and continue to post messages/questions, set up Video MeetUps, exchange contact info with other attendees, etc.
The Virtual Skills for Life 5 1/2 Event was recorded by the production team, Strategic Media, and we anticipate having those finalized recordings the week of November 8th. Once we have the recordings we will be uploading the links to each session and send out additional announcements via the Whova platform.
The links should only be used by/shared with registered attendees. We are working on the logistics of how to make the links accessible to the general bilateral upper or quad limb loss community for free as well as providing the recordings as a resource to non-registered healthcare individuals for a nominal cost.
Please contact us for more information or with any questions.
|
|
|
ISPO 18th World Congress
The 18th World Congress of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) is taking place November 1-4.
We were pleased to be able to share Enhancing Skills for Life in the "International Community Area". This is a unique opportunity for us to raise awareness of the organization by sharing our impact on those missing both arms or all four limbs with a global audience. If you are not attending, but are interested in seeing our poster, click on the thumbnail in this section to see our PDF.
|
|
|
Ronnie's 4th Annual Bowling Tournament |
|
Ronnie is hosting his 4th Annual Bowling Tournament in Livingston, TX February 12-13, 2021. Mark your calendars and start looking up airfare now for a weekend of fun and fellowship. You don't have to know how to bowl (or even like bowling) to come join in the fun. There is always a good life hack tip to be shared too! You might find a new and easier way to open a coke can (or beer bottle)? It helps raise money for a great cause and it is incredibly awesome to watch those with limb loss bowl those strikes!
SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND!!
As many of you know, we offer scholarships to attend the Skills for Life Workshops, but did you know we also offer financial assistance to attend Ronnie's bowling tournament? Click here or the button in this section to fill out your application today. We are excited to watch this event grow every year and would love to have you come join the fun in 2022!
|
|
|
Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday began as a simple idea in 2012 as a day that encouraged people to do good. It has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give as well as promote generosity. It takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It is touted as a "global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world". Consider showing your support for Enhancing Skills for Life this #GivingTuesday, November 30th.
Click here or on the button in this section to donate today... any amount welcome, small donations definitely add up and help us achieve our mission of supporting people missing both arms or all four limbs either through scholarship support, workshops/programs, peer introductions or education and resources. For Federal Employees out there reading this, remember we are a Combined Federal Campaign Charity (CFC #60813).
|
|
|
Skills for Life 6 Latest Information
Stay Informed
Skills for Life 6 is happening in less than a year! To stay up to date with the latest information about SFL 6 in 2022, please make sure to do the following:
3) click "going" on the SFL 6 Facebook Event
4) print this flyer and share with others!
The Skills for Life workshop is a unique event dedicated to bilateral upper limb loss. It will include a program devoted specifically to issues faced by individuals missing both arms or all four limbs. Presenters will include individuals living with limb loss, family members, therapists, prosthetists, physicians, case managers and others.
We hope to see you in Houston, TX October 5-9, 2022!! Stay tuned to this newsletter and make sure to bookmark our SFL 6 website.
|
|
|
SFL 6 Hotel & Registration Information
Registration link coming in 2022!
You must register on Eventbrite to guarantee your spot at Skills for Life. If you are a limb loss/limb different individual, remember your registration is free, but you will still need to complete the online process. All other registrations range from $150-$650.
Our Skills for Life 6 Workshop will be held at the JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria, 5150 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056. Hotel Reservation link coming, please wait for the block info/link to book your room.
|
|
|
SFL 6 Scholarship Applications
Limb loss individuals may apply for financial assistance to help offset their travel and lodging expenses (up to $1,000 USD). Applications will be processed in the order they were received. Someone from the scholarship committee will contact you within 24-48 hours of your application. Recipients will be notified with plenty of time to make travel arrangements. Lodging will be paid directly to the hotel.
PLEASE NOTE: You will still need to register for the conference through Eventbrite. Follow up emails and/or phone calls will be necessary, so make sure contact information is accurate.
Click here or the button in this section to start your scholarship application. Please contact us with any questions.
|
|
|
Become a SFL 6 Sponsor/Exhibitor
Thank You to TIRR Memorial Hermann (Platinum), Ossur (Bronze), and Point Designs (Exhibitor) and USISPO (Global Outreach) for their support of the upcoming SFL 6 Workshop! Our amazing sponsors can also be found at the end of this newsletter.
The Skills for Life workshop is only possible because of our generous sponsors/donors and exhibitors! We have many levels of sponsorship available so click on the application link below to learn more on how to get involved.
Our exhibit area is a big hit for many of our attendees and it is a great opportunity for companies and providers to show off products as well as connect directly with limb loss individuals. Please consider becoming a sponsor or exhibitor at SFL 6 and contact us with any questions.
|
|
|
Shawn Swanson Johnson, OT (co-chair)
Kristi Turner, OT (co-chair)
|
|
Diane Atkins, OT
John Dombo
Wendy Hill, OT
|
|
Scott Hosie, CP
Danielle Melton, MD
Eric Nelson
Levin Sliker, PhD
|
|
Fanny Schultea, CP
Mike St Onge
Patricia Tully, OT
|
|
Mike St Onge, Chair
Jeff Mulvogue, Treasurer
Annae Jones, Secretary
|
|
John Dombo
Harold Sears, PhD
Gerry Stark, CP
|
|
Steve Kaestle
Karen Lundquist
Mara Herschbach
|
|
Thank you SFL 6 Sponsors! |
|
Help us continue to provide meaningful connections! |
|
|
|
Financial Assistance
Limb loss individuals may apply for scholarships to attend Skills for Life workshops or other events where there are opportunities for face to face interaction with individuals missing at least both arms or all four limbs (Amputee Coalition National Conference, Quad Squad Muster, Camp No Limits, etc). Financial aid requests need to be completed and submitted online by clicking HERE. COVID-19 financial aid is also still available for those in need. Please be as thorough as possible in your applications and provide good contact information as follow up emails or phone calls may be necessary.
|
|
|
ESFL is an AmazonSmile Charity
Consider choosing Enhancing Skills for Life as your 501c3 charity on AmazonSmile! When customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to Enhancing Skills for Life. When first visiting AmazonSmile, you will be prompted to select a charitable organization. Why not choose Enhancing Skills for Life? Click HERE to change your current AmazonSmile charity to ESFL today!
|
|
|
Combined Federal Campaign
If you are a Federal employee (contractors and retirees too) and interested in workplace giving? Consider choosing Enhancing Skills for Life as one of the charities you support. The CFC giving campaign opened on September 1, 2021. You can search for us by entering Enhancing Skills for Life as the name, filter by cause (Health Care) or by entering our CFC#: 60813. If you are interested in seeing what our ESFL campaign looks like online, you can view them by clicking "watch charity videos" and "read charity stories".
|
|
|
Contact Us | 713-240-8336 | Email
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
