Wheel World News
April 2022 Newsletter
Welcome to Wheel World News! Our monthly newsletter highlights current events, the different programs offered around the community, and much more. Enjoy!
Current Events
Here are some of the latest events going on within the community this month. We hope to see you there!
What's happening: Wheeln' N Reeln/ Adaptive Fishing
Description: [Join the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association and J & K Outdoor Adventures for a fun morning of fishing on Saturday, April 2nd, 2022 from 10 am-12 pm! If you need assistance, please bring a caregiver or family member to help you. Don’t forget your fishing pole, gear, and license. We will have a few poles available to use. For more information on obtaining a license, check here.
 
If you have any questions, please email karen@azspinal.org or call (602) 507-4209. Click here to sign up. We hope to see you there!]
Date: [Saturday, April 2nd, 2022]
Time: [10am-12pm]
What's happening: Virtual Spring Bingo Night
Description: [Join us for our Virtual Spring Bingo Night on Friday, April 8th, 2022 from 5:30-7:30 PM! We will send out links with instructions on how to get your card and how it worked a day before the game. You will be able to print your game card or play online. By doing it online, you will be able to reuse the same card for each game. All instructions on how to play will be included in the email (must register first). 
Even though this is a FREE event, registration is still required. Must be 18+ to participate. For more information about the event, please call 602-507-4209 or email Karen Halgren at karen@azspinal.org. Click here to sign up. We hope to see you there!]
Date: [Friday, April 8th, 2022]
Time: [5:30-7:30pm]
What's happening: Day at the Range - Adaptive Shooting
Description: [Join Come join the AZ Spinal Cord Injury Association and Hits & Miss's for a fun afternoon at the range on April 10th, 2022! See flyer for more details. We hope you'll join us! For more information, call Jon at 602-875-6774 or email hitsandmisss@gmail.com.]
Date: [Sunday, April 10th, 2022]
Time: [12:30-7pm]
What's happening: Advanced Wheelchair Skills
Description: [Shorter hospital and rehabilitation stays may not allow enough time to learn important wheelchair skills, or changes through aging require a brush up course to learn new skills to remain independent.
Wheelchair skills are vital as they help prevent secondary conditions or isolation due to an inability to navigate our environment. It also teaches individuals to become more efficient in the usage of their wheelchair. Join us for our in-person Spring 2022 series! Click here to sign up today.]
Date: [April 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th, 2022]
Time: [4-6pm]
What's happening: Living Healthy with SCI - Spring Series 2022
Description: [“Virtual educational classes to help you live your best life!” These classes will be taking place on March 22nd, March 29th, April 13th, and April 20th. All these classes are FREE but registration is still required. Click here to sign up today!]
Date: [Wednesday, April 13th & Wednesday, April 20th, 2022]
Time: [5-7pm]
What's happening: Dolly Steamboat
Description: [Join us for a day trip to ride the Dolly Steamboat at Canyon Lake Marina! Enjoy the beautiful Arizona spring weather for a 90-minute ride on the Dolly Steamboat. Snacks and beverages will be available to buy on the boat (cash or check only).
AZSCIA will be providing transportation for this event. If a ride is needed, please arrive at Ability360 Center at 9:30 AM and we will transport you to and from the event. Please be advised that this will be an outdoor event. Sun protection/hats are recommended. For more information on the ride and FAQs, please visit https://dollysteamboat.com/cruises/scenic-nature-cruise/
Registration is required for this event. Click here to sign up. We hope you’ll join us!]
Date: [Saturday, April 23rd, 2022]
Time: [12pm (11:30am if AZSCIA is transporting you to the event)]
To stay up-to-date on all AZSCIA events (and other events going on within the community), follow our Community Events/News Facebook page!
Opioid Use Disorder in the Disability Community
Individuals with spinal cord injuries are disproportionately affected with OUD (Opioid Use Disorder). A spinal cord injury typically requires the use of various pain-killing medications in an effort to manage pain effectively. However, data shows that after 5 days of use of an opioid, the risk of long-term abuse is drastically higher. The AZSCIA is committed to providing services around prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Our core belief is that opioids are not a sustainable method of treatment for this population. Pain management is a complex issue with a wide range of applicable strategies that can be effective. The goal is to manage pain while simultaneously limiting the chance of opioid use disorder (OUD). For individuals suffering from OUD; MAT therapy has proven to be an extremely effective treatment, one which the AZSCIA supports for any individual who makes that choice. Visit our website here for more resources and information. Pain Doesn't Have to Kill.
Our 'Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit' is a great resource for individuals who may be struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), for people who want to learn more about opioids, and for caregivers/family members. This can be your go-to packet on all things OUD, from understanding OUD, first responder education, education or family members/caregivers, recovery support after overdose, and curated SCI community resources. If you ever have further questions or concerns, or just need someone to talk to, please call us at 602-507-4209 or email eric@azspinal.org. 
AZSCIA Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit
Our 'Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit' is a great resource for individuals who may be struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), for people who want to learn more about opioids, and for caregivers/family members. This can be your go-to packet on all things OUD, from understanding OUD, first responder education, education or family members/caregivers, recovery support after overdose, and curated SCI community resources. If you ever have further questions or concerns, or just need someone to talk to, please call us at 602-507-4209 or email eric@azspinal.org. 
Opioid Reduction Program with Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center
Share Your OUD Story
WE WANT YOU! The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association is working to combat the Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) epidemic in Arizona. We are dedicated to building a healthy community for individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.

AZSCIA is working on creating videos to bring awareness to opioid use in the disability community. We are looking for individuals who are willing to share their experience with opioids. If you would like to participate and share your story, please call us at (602) 507-4209 OR email at eric@azspinal.org/allison@azspinal.org.

Your stories will help other individuals in the community. Click the button below if you are interested in sharing your experience. We thank you in advance!
AZSCIA's Opioid Project Surveys
The AZSCIA is dedicated to building a healthy community for individuals with spinal cord injuries and their families. We are conducting data collection to understand the use of opioids within the disability community. The goal is to understand the role opioids play in response to chronic pain. Your feedback is valuable in creating new opportunities to educate and identify resources to increase awareness around the opioid epidemic in Arizona. Your responses are confidential and will not be shared with any third parties. We appreciate your time and thank you in advance for your participation
Support Groups
Support groups are a wonderful way to become active in the community, socialize, and meet new friends. You won't want to miss out on these amazing support groups going on throughout Arizona! 
Men’s Disability Discussion Group
If you're looking to meet new people or just have a great time, we invite you to join our Men's Support Group run by Don Price and Richard Klein.
Men's Group Zoom Meeting
Time: Every week on Thursdays,
4-5:30pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83127569653
Meeting ID: 831 2756 9653
That's How We Roll - SCI Support Group
This support group is based in Sedona, AZ. They meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 2pm-3:30pm. This group currently not meeting in person due to the pandemic. Please call Kelly & Corina for information on virtual support group meetings. If interested, please call 928-301-1591 or email supportgroup@kctproject.com
Ladies Support Group
Join the AZSCIA for our virtual Ladies Support Group! All ladies are welcome to participate. Our conversations include talking about living with SCI and the challenges we face. It’s all about the good, the bad and the better we can be.
When: 2nd Tuesday of Each Month
@ 2PMm (Once a month)
(This link will lead you directly to the call)
Meeting ID: 845 5161 4366
Password: 521326
Podriplegics Podcast/AZSCIA YouTube Channel
Podriplegics Podcast
Have you checked out the 'Podriplegics' Podcast yet? If not, you'll want to! This is a podcast where three guys talk about living with a disability and providing insight, current events, and humor about their lives. They host guest speakers regularly. New podcasts come out monthly. Click image below to listen to previous podcasts. Click here to listen!
***Disclaimer***
The show has mature subject matter and mature language.
AZSCIA YouTube Channel
Be sure to check out the AZSCIA YouTube channel! We will be releasing videos on some of the virtual educational classes we recorded last year. If you subscribe to our YouTube channel, you can click the bell to get notified when we publish new videos!

Click here to subscribe today!
Support AZSCIA
Do you shop on Amazon? Why not support AzSCIA while getting a great deal!
Amazon Smile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases to AZSCIA.
To shop Amazon Smile for AzSCIA follow this link and log into your Amazon account- AzSCIA AmazonSmile. Thank you for your continued support!
Save money and help a good cause every time you shop! We have partnered with Goodshop so that now you can feel great about your online shopping! Goodshop gives you the best coupons for thousands of stores like Target, Apple, Amazon, Petco and more AND a percentage of what you spend on virtually every purchase is donated to the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association! Plus, with the Goodshop app for iPhone and iPad, you can shop, save, and give on the go. While there also use Good Search when searching the internet. They pay us one cent for each search! Adds up quickly. Thank you!
Free to sign up here: http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop
Did you know you can support nonprofit organizations in your community just by shopping at Fry's? It's easy when you enroll in Fry's Community Rewards! To get started, sign up with your V.I.P Card, then select the AZSCIA as your charity. Once you're enrolled, we'll earn rewards every time you shop and use your V.I.P Card! If you are already enrolled, all participants must re-enroll each year to continue earning rewards for their chosen organization. The Banner Wheelchairs Suns has retired, so you will have to change your charity. We hope you choose the AZ Spinal Cord Injury Association! Thank you to everyone for your continued support. Our # is 44739.
Click the link below to enroll today!
Accessible Van Rentals Provided by the
Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association
Have an upcoming trip or need a van for a big group event? Consider renting out one of our accessible vans for your event or trip! They have a manual ramp, fits two chairs, and three able-bodied individuals. The ramp swings out for easy access and has a lowered floor.

If you need more information on renting a van, please contact Guillermo Zeledon at 602-507-4209, extension # 1
Save the Date
NEW CONFERENCE DATE!
7th Annual Push Forward Educational Conference
Join the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association on Friday, October 7th, 2022 for our 7th Annual Push Forward Educational Conference, an all-day interactive conference for individuals with spinal cord injuries, family members, caregivers, and professionals. The conference is FREE to attend for consumers and one family member/caregiver. For additional family members, professionals, and students to attend, it is $40.
Stay Tuned For the Official Agenda 
Click here to sign up today! 
Taco Night Fiesta
Join the AZSCIA and Cafe Cultivate for our Taco Night Fiesta! This event will take place in the Ability360 Center courtyard. Taco bar, fried ice cream dessert bar, cornhole boards, music, and good times for all! This event is open to EVERYONE so feel free to bring your family and friends. 
Transportation options are available. Please call our office at 602-507-4209 to schedule a ride. 
Registration is required for this event. Click here to sign up. We hope you’ll join us!
Virtual Game Night
Come join AZSCIA for our Virtual Game Night on Friday, May 13th, 6:00pm- 7:00pm! The virtual game room will open at 5:30pm. You will need to have a smartphone, computer, or tablet to play. How to play instructions can be found here: https://www.jackboxgames.com/how-to-play-jackbox-games…/
To get into the game, go here: https://jackbox.tv/
We will give everyone the code once you arrive that night. You will need to download a small app to use Zoom if you haven’t used it yet. We have a waiting room and we will let you in once we see you arrive.
This event is FREE but registration is still required. Click here to sign up. We hope to see you there!
Have a Donation?
The AZSCIA is always looking to give back to our community. We will work with you to arrange pick-ups of larger items such as beds, exercise equipment, or other durable medical equipment. If it is something smaller, please feel free to stop by anytime and drop them off. We are open 9 AM to 5 PM, M- F. We love seeing the support and you can be sure that what you give is put back into the hands of those who need it.

Our donation specialist Guillermo Zeledon is available at 602-507-4209 ext#1. He will be happy to assist you with any questions or pick-up concerns you may have!
*Accessible Van donated from community member and given to this family in need*
We are now on Instagram! Follow us @azscia. There, we will post about current events, community stories, and more!
[602.507.4209]  [allison@azspinal.org]  [azspinal.org]