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Our monthly newsletter....

delivered to you on the last day of each month. Enjoy the little extra!

December 2019

Last Day Lagniappe

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NEWS & NOTES

Friends of BIALA Program Expansion Campaign

As we begin a new year at BIALA, we give special thanks to our Friends of BIALA Program Expansion Campaign co-chairs, Kathleen and Ben Waring, and Holly and Geoff Snodgrass, and all of our Friends who contributed to this 2019 - 2021 campaign. Thanks and Cheers to all of you! We still have a steep hill to climb, but we are on our way toward reaching our goal of $100,000 by 2021.

REGISTRATION FOR OUR 13TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS NOW

OPEN!

"TOGETHER TOWARD TOMORROW"

MARCH 27-28, 2020

KENNER, LA

CLICK FOR INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Update from TAMARA GREEN

Ms. Wheelchair Louisiana 2020

To schedule a personal appearance with Tamara, call: (225) 436-6711

Tamara at Baton Rouge Rehab's SCI Support Group Christmas party in December with Santa.

Tamara was recognized for outstanding generosity and dedication to community services while attending the Bella LaFemme Society's Inaugural Gala. Congratulations Tamara!

WHAT'S UP NEXT?

Calling all sponsors: Annual conference is just three months away

You received your sponsor or exhibitor packets in October, now we need to hear from more of you who plan to join us at our March 27-28, 2020 conference, “Together Toward Tomorrow.” We’ll be in a new location at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, New Orleans Airport location, and have a super assembly space. Exhibitor space is slightly tighter, however, so give us a call to say “YES, we’ll be there!” Please contact: Kathleen@biala.org

SOMETHING WORTH SHARING

2020 WILL MARK THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

The ADA was the world's first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities. It was a collaborative effort of Democrats, Republicans, the legislative and the executive branches, federal and state agencies, and people with and without disabilities.

The ADA Anniversary is a time that we can reflect positively on a law that has made a great impact on the lives of people with disabilities and our country over the past 30 years. The message within the Preamble and history is powerful because it clearly states the Congressional intent that the law is intended "to assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities."

As we move into 2020, we plan to educate others about the ADA and celebrate the 30 years of impact it has made for individuals with disabilities.

Want to learn more about the ADA? FIND OUT HERE

SCI SEGMENT

Weight Management following Spinal Cord Injury

Weight management is more than losing weight. It is a lifestyle that requires a commitment to promote improved long-term health. You have to learn and use skills to lose and maintain weight loss through proper nutrition, behavioral changes, participation in physical activities, and long-term planning. As a person with spinal cord injury (SCI), you can benefit in many ways from a healthy weight management program. You may help... ... lower your risk for premature death and the development of some forms of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory illness, pressure sores, urinary tract infection and urinary stones; ... decrease feelings of anxiety, loneliness and stress; ... improve muscle strength, endurance, self image, and your ability to fall asleep and to sleep well; and ... manage your muscle spasms, chronic pain and bowel program. At this time there are no national guidelines on weight management for individuals with SCI. Therefore, it is essential that you talk to your doctor before changing or modifying your diet and exercise regimens. Everyone has individual health concerns. Your doctor can make suggestions regarding your individual situation and your specific medical conditions.

TBI TALK

Brain injuries from domestic violence often undetected, study finds

Domestic violence survivors commonly suffer repeated blows to the head and strangulation, trauma that has lasting effects that should be widely recognized by advocates, health care providers, law enforcement and others who are in a position to help, according to the authors of a new study.

In the first community-based study of its kind, researchers from The Ohio State University and the Ohio Domestic Violence Network found that 81 percent of women who have been abused at the hands of their partners and seek help have suffered a head injury and 83 percent have been strangled.

The research suggests that brain injury caused by blows to the head and by oxygen deprivation are likely ongoing health issues for many domestic violence survivors. Because of poor recognition of these lasting harms, some interactions between advocates and women suffering from the effects of these unidentified injuries were likely misguided, said the authors of the study, which appears in the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma.

"One in three women in the United States has experienced intimate partner violence. What we found leads us to believe that many people are walking around with undiagnosed brain injury, and we have to address that," said lead researcher Julianna Nemeth, an assistant professor of health behavior and health promotion at Ohio State.