January 2023

Spinal Network's mission is to promote community integration, participation, and independence for individuals with spinal cord injuries/disease by providing the tools and community support to be successful in their work and personal lives. Our goal is to maximize quality of life, raise self-esteem and improve physical and mental health.

Are You a Spinal Network Member?

If not, join today, it's free!

Hi Rick,

2023 is here!

What are your resolutions, your new year goals? Spinal Network grew so much in 2022, we now have close to 600 members, so for us this means what can we do to better serve our members and potential members.

Our 2023 goals include additional programs, resources, and making sure we do them right. We want you to feel good about being a Spinal Network member, and we need to know that you are happy with the job we are doing.

That being said, shoot us an email and tell us what programs and resources you would like to see added in 2023.

Sincerely,

Rick Hayden

Executive Director

rick@spinal-network.org

www.spinal-network.org

What to Look For in 2023

• 1st & 3rd Monday of every month we host a Monday Hang Out on zoom. This is a great way to meet people, hang out, ask questions and just chill. It runs from 4:30 - 5:30. This is open to everyone.
• 2nd Monday of every month we host a Family Caregiver support group with Richard Green, LCSW facilitating the group. It runs from 4:00 - 5:15. This group is for family members who are also the caregiver. This is a great place to ask questions and network with other family caregivers.
• Mark your calendars for June 3rd because we will be co-hosting an Adaptive Sports, Recreation, and Resource Fair along with the MCAP group (see who MCAP is further down in this newsletter). This event is free for wheelchair users, their families and rehab professionals.
• Spinal Network's 30-Day Challenge (September)
• A Mystery Event (October/November)
• Hikes, barbeques, pot lucks, bowling, possibly indoor skydiving.

Spinal Network now offers a Family Caregiver Support Group with Richard Green, LCSW. This group is for family members who are also the caregiver. Family members, often times, are left out as they grapple with what they need to do to adequately prepare the home, deal with the unexpected while managing the complex emotional stress in supporting their newly injured love one. Well, if this is you or you know of someone who would benefit, join Richard on the 2nd Monday of every month at 4pm. If you have any questions, please email Rick at rick@spinal-network.org.

Spinal Network's newest board member and

Director of Social Media

Alexandra Torres joins the Spinal Network board of directors as the Director of Social Media.

Alexandra is a San Diego native and graduated from San Diego State University in 2017 with a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. She has worked as a mentor, tutor, case manager and was involved in the county's COVID project to help individuals who are unable to leave their home receive an in-home COVID vaccine. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and currently works within Child Welfare Services with the County of San Diego. On her free time she enjoys going to the gym, creating TikTok' s and hanging out with family and friends. 

Follow along and get to know more about Alex and Spinal Network

United Spinals New LGTBQIA+ Discussion Group

Join us for Rolling with #Pride to meet other #wheelchair users in the LGBTQ+ community! Tuesday, June 7th @ 1:00 pm ET. Register: https://unitedspinal.org/events/rolling-with-pride/

A fun podcast 3-4 times per month

On our latest podcast, we discussed Mental Health

with Lindsey Elliott and Michaela Devins

"It's OK to Not Be OK"

We are looking for a Chapter Advocacy Representative

Here is what it entails, you will interface with the United Spinal Association advocacy team. You will have an opportunity to network with other chapter advocacy reps across the country, you will provide information regarding important policy to our local representatives. The time commitment is minimal and all or most of it being done right from your home.

Being an advocate is an important step to ensuring that you and those

around you have equal access and opportunity.

On the third Tuesday of every month with alternating times at 1:00 and 5:00PM ET, is our virtual Advocacy LIVE event. This is a great opportunity to connect with other United Spinal advocates to discuss advocacy efforts across the country, ask questions, share ideas and resources, and voice concerns and important issues regarding the SCI/D and wheelchair user community.

If you are interested or wish to know more, shoot me an email by clicking on the button below.

Looking for Employment with a Solid Company?

Click the link to see current job openings with ConvaTec

https://careers.convatec.com/global/gb/

MCAP's Mission Statement

Build a world where inclusion is the norm, where education leads to employment, and where quality of life is elevated.

MCAP will be a consistent and reliable resource and pillar of advocacy in the community.

Who is MCAP.....take a look.

ConvaTec/Cure Medical Support Medical Research