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We are now just TWO WEEKS away from Skills for Life! We currently have 240 registered attendees and of those 78 are bilateral upper limb loss individuals.
Please read all the way to the bottom as there are many new pieces of information in this newsletter.
We are excited about all the topics that will be covered at
Skills for Life 5: Bilateral Upper Limb Loss Workshop! Please click below to learn more about our preliminary program (subject to change).
FACEBOOK MEET UPS!!
Have you become close friends with someone on Facebook, but have not yet met in person? We are looking to capture the moment of your first in person meeting with pictures and/or video on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.
Make plans to meet in the CONSORT Ballroom at 6:00pm.
For those arriving later, we will also have a meetup on Thursday morning at 9:00am, same room.
REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN
Wednesday 5:00-7:00pm and Thursday 8:00-10:30am outside Consort Ballroom.
SPECIAL MEAL REQUESTS
Please contact
Shawn Johnson if you have any special meal requests or dietary restrictions we need to be aware of.
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We look forward to seeing you all at SFL 5! To stay up to date with the latest information, please make sure to do one of the following:
1) subscribe (or stay subscribed) to these emails
Please share this email with friends and colleagues!
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Participate in Research at SFL
*Researchers want to hear from you, consider participating or learning more about the below at Skills for Life.
How Prosthetic Devices are Used or Not Used by those Missing Both Arms
A survey of bilateral arm prosthesis wearers Person-to-person survey to find out how prosthetic devices are used, or not used, by bilateral wearers. We want to know what works well, and what doesn't work well.
Body Image Research Study
The purpose of this upcoming research study is to validate a mirror viewing comfort and acceptance tool for individuals with an amputation. This tool will be used in future body image research that will focus on helping the individual with an amputation become more comfortable viewing self in the mirror.
Prostheses Experience and Fall History
The purpose of this research is to survey individuals with upper limb loss or absence to collect information on their prosthesis experiences and fall history. The survey will help us understand the impact of upper limb loss on falls and identify ways to improve the safety of individuals with upper limb loss.
Impact of Activity Specific Devices
Survey study to identify the impact of the provision of activity specific prosthetic devices and components on the quality of life of upper limb amputees.
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Space Center Houston Outing
Several attendees have expressed interest in a visit to Space Center Houston. This trip which will take place post-conference on Sunday, October 21st, starting at 2:00pm. Please use the below link to commit your attendance. We need a minimum of 20 people to be eligible for the discounted tickets of $15.95 (tickets normally $29.95). Payment will be due by October 13th. Transportation details and cost still being worked out.
Space Center Houston - Reserve Your Spot Here!
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Activity Day
We love Activity Day so much that we have expanded it! There are tons of fun activities to try out for the first time or try again. Please visit the last page of our
preliminary program to see details and timing of each activity. We have something for everyone including biking, swimming, a SCUBA experience, boot camp/nutrition, Xbox/Gaming, Kids Korner, Cooking Demo, and Art.
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Volunteers Needed
We are requesting volunteers on Activity Day for biking, swimming and the SCUBA experience. Please email
Mike St Onge if you are interested in helping on Saturday, October 20th during these sessions.
We are also requesting meal buddies. Please consider pairing with someone during lunch and dinner activities to help transport food plates from the serving area back to the table. More info to come at the conference.
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Social Events and Meals
Lunch will be provided on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Thursday night is a Team Scavenger Hunt Competition Icebreaker followed by food & drinks. Winners announced on Friday morning. Friday is our Welcome Reception with food & drinks.
Heavy hors d'oeuvres (meal equivalent) will be provided on both Thursday and Friday nights. We will have our Closing "Gala" Dinner on Saturday night which is seated/plated, but definitely not fancy. Coffee will be provided every morning.
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Travel Tips and Things to Bring
Please click
HERE for some travel tips and things to bring for your prostheses from Mike and Dawn.
Other things to bring:
-Bathing Suit
-Adaptive equipment for dressing, cooking, grooming, bathing,
biking, swimming, working out, etc
-Anything else you want to share with others
-Positive Attitude and willingness to share/learn
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Online Registration
You must register on Eventbrite to guarantee your spot at Skills for Life. If you are a bilateral upper limb loss individual, remember your registration is free, but you will still need to complete the online process. All other registrations range from $150-$650. If you require assistance with registration or would prefer to do it offline, please contact us.
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Westin Oaks Galleria 5011 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77056 |
Hotel Info & Transportation
We have already sold out of our original room block, but the hotel (or its sister property The Westin) may still have rooms available at a slightly higher rate. Please contact Shawn if you need names of alternate hotel options.
Westin Oaks Hotel is offering "Make a Green Choice".
Make a Green Choice (MAGC) is a loyalty program in which guest can forgo full housekeeping for up to three days in a row (excluding their check-out day). For each night a guest opts into MAGC, they receive 250-500
Starpoints or a $5/5€ Food & Beverage voucher, while helping to reduce the use of water, energy and chemicals.
The hotel does not provide transportation to/from
airports so you will need to arrange that separately through a taxi service, Sup
erShuttle, Uber, Lyft or renting a car. SuperShuttle has provided o
ur group a 20% discount.code which you can access by
using this link to reserve
or entering
RN5GU in the discount code box.
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Continuing Education and Learning Objectives
* ABC approved 18.75 credits plus exhibit hall time. AM/PM sign in is mandatory.
* OT/PTs will need to submit certificate of attendance and program to state licensing boards.
- Understand pre-prosthetic evaluation and treatment needs unique to the bilateral upper limb loss individual
- Understand evaluation and treatment needs after a prosthetic device has been fit
- Gain exposure to functional skills, adaptations, equipment, modifications used by individuals with bilateral limb loss
- Learn about the latest technology: surgical techniques and prosthetic componentry
- Discuss appropriate functional outcomes, dependent upon level of limb loss
- Discuss emotional adjustments and impacts to the individual and family living with bilateral upper limb loss
SFL Website
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Contact Us | 713-240-8336 |
Email
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Planning Chair
Shawn Swanson Johnson, OT
Planning Committee
Diane Atkins, OT
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Julie Klarich, OT
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Gerry Stark, CP
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George Gondo
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Robert Meier, MD
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Patricia Tully, OT
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Dianne Farabi
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Danielle Melton, MD
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Kristi Turner, OT |
Bill Hanson
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Eric Nelson
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Jack Uellendahl, CP
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Mike St Onge
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SPONSORS:
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Organizing & HERO Sponsor
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Outreach/Media, Bronze & HERO Sponsor
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Exhibitor
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