~To empower, educate and connect those living without both arms or more |
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{ August 2022 Newsletter } |
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Executive Director's Message
Please join me in welcoming Summer Kozai, our new ESFL Board of Directors member and our Treasurer. Summer’s personal and professional experiences are an ideal fit for the board, and we are grateful for the gift of her time and talents. Summer is a quadramembral amputee as a result of bacterial meningitis in 2009. She is a senior auditor for the US Department of Defense and earned her undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon and her graduate degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Summer serves on the State of Hawaii Disability and Communication Access Board and volunteers on the State Department of Transportation ADA Advisory Committee. Although she resides in Hawaii, a place most of us would like to vacation, she enjoys traveling for both work and pleasure.
Items to Note
- Skills for Life 6 is just TWO MONTHS away!! We currently have 38 people with limb loss/limb difference registered. Our next in-person workshop is scheduled for 2025, so please encourage others to attend by sharing the information and personally inviting them.
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Our hotel room block cutoff is September 14, 2022, and rooms are filling up. Don't delay, make your reservation today!
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Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 8, for a new FUNdraiser banquet to end on a high note with dinner, dancing, DJ, and silent auction/raffle (no obligation to spend, just enjoy!) More details below and to come.
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Volunteers needed at SFL 6! See our Signup Genius for volunteer opportunities. This list will be updated regularly so check back weekly for new slots.
$500 Visa gift cards, anyone?
Register for the SFL Workshop by August 22 and we will enter your name for a chance to win one of TWO $500 Visa gift cards. Only Limb Loss/Limb Different Individuals and their caregivers are eligible for this drawing. Void where prohibited by law.
Please subscribe, follow, and share the information to help us reach everyone who could benefit from our programs.
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Event Registration
All attendees will use Eventbrite to guarantee their spot at Skills for Life 6. If you are a limb loss/limb different individual, remember your registration is FREE, but you will still need to complete the online registration process. All other registrations range from $150-$650.
Click the Eventbrite logo in this section or HERE to register.
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Travel Tips & Things to Bring |
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Please click HERE for some travel tips and things to bring for your prostheses from Mike St Onge and Dawn Dubsky.
Other things to bring:
-Bathing Suit, Athletic Wear/Shoes, White or Neon for Saturday event
-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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OPAF First Swing Golf Clinic |
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Thursday, October 6th @ Memorial Park Driving Range
The Orthotic and Prosthetic Activities Foundation (OPAF) is hosting a First Swing Golf clinic in conjunction with the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA), and the US Adaptive Golf Alliance. The clinic is also being sponsored by The Dralla Foundation- an organization dedicated to providing those with physical challenges and unforgettable day.
When you register for SFL 6 on Eventbrite, please make sure to select the "OPAF First Swing Golf Clinic" ticket in addition to your SFL 6 ticket(s). We will be going offsite and arranging transportation, so we require an accurate headcount. Contact us if you have questions or trouble registering.
This clinic will be free for Limb Loss/Limb Different attendees. Others are welcome to attend, but will be responsible for golf, food and drink expenses. *Pre-registration required to attend.
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Let's Glow Crazy! Dinner, Dance & Fundraiser |
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Glow in the Dark Dinner, Dancing, Silent Auction & Raffle
Part of making SFL a success is ensuring that EVERYONE has access to what we offer. On Saturday, October 8, you have a chance to support that success while enjoying a wonderful evening.
Please come join us for Glow in the Dark dinner, dancing, silent auction, and raffle. We’re opening the doors to everyone! Skills for Life 6 registered attendees do not need to purchase additional tickets since the banquet is included in your registration. For others interested in buying a fundraiser ticket/plate/table, please use this Eventbrite link.
We are excited about this new way to celebrate and support the Skills for Life event! We have several amazing items donated already, including a pair of Waterford Snifters, body dryers from No White Flags, custom artwork, 5-night stay in San Jose Del Cabo, custom framed print, decorative wood pieces, Oaxacan totes, adaptive gadgets for the kitchen, handmade quilts, home and assistive technology, as well as several fun themed baskets. Watch for pictures and posts to share.
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SFL 6: What is in Store for You
The Skills for Life Workshops are unique events dedicated to people who are living without both hands/arms or more. We build the program based on feedback from the people who participate, focusing on content and connections that are meaningful and practical. We look forward to having you join us in Houston, Texas, October 5-8, 2022 for our 20th Anniversary of this life-changing event! Scheduled to occur every 3 years, it offers a chance to build community with people from around the world who also have personal experiences with bilateral upper limb loss.
Remember we offer scholarships!
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
*subject to change
- Wednesday, Oct 5, 12-8pm: Registration, Opening Day, Sessions, Happy Hour
- Thursday, Oct 6, 8am-8pm: Sessions, ADL's (activities of daily living), Tips & Tricks, Golf Clinic
- Friday, Oct 7, 8am-6pm: Sessions, Quad Bootcamp, Running Clinic, Adapted Vehicles
- Saturday, Oct 8, 8am-10pm: Sessions, Activity Day, Glow in the Dark dinner, dance and fundraiser
- Sunday, Oct 9: Depart
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Staying Healthy at SFL 6
As we travel to gather, our committee is taking our duty of care seriously. For us, that means foreseeing how we can keep everyone healthy while COVID and other concerns remain a reality. We know that some accommodations add stress, and so we want to communicate clearly and provide as much support as possible.
We will be using the "Remind" App to communicate important updates with our SFL 6 attendees. You can sign up at the event or sign up now to begin receiving one way notifications from the event organizers.
- Scan QR code to sign up OR
- Send a text to “81010” and text this message “@sfl6hou”. (You will receive an automated text, please reply “P” for Parent.)
We are considering requiring a negative test OR proof of vaccination within 48-72 hours of arrival to SFL 6. Please keep in mind, the US no longer requires a negative test to enter the country and the CDC continues to recommend NIOSH approved masks for large indoor gatherings.
We will keep our website updated and share news in our newsletters, too.
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Donate to the Scholarship Fund!
We have 25 scholarship requests so far and we are extremely fortunate to be able to accommodate all of these requests. We know additional applications will be coming in over the next 2 months so please consider donating so that all who are interested in attending, have an opportunity to do so. Be a HERO and donate today, no amount is too small! To thank you for your support, we will be recognizing all our donors in the SFL 6 printed program.
The donate link can be used to make general donations to go towards scholarships or the general mission of ESFL.
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Hotel & Transportation
The below information along with all the latest information can also be found on our Skills for Life 6 website.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Our Skills for Life 6 Workshop will be held at the JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria, 5150 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056
If you have any troubles with making reservations online, please call the central reservations team at 1-800-228-9290 and make sure to mention you are with the "Enhancing Skills for Life Workshop" to receive the $150/night rate. Room capacity is filling up, book your room today so you don't miss out!
*Our JW Marriott Galleria rooming coordinator is Me'Orie Dixon and she can be reached by email if problems continue to persist when making reservations. She is also the person to contact if you have any trouble making WC accessible reservations.
*Cutoff reservation date is September 14, 2022
TRANSPORTATION
The hotel does not provide transportation to/from either airport (IAH or HOU) so you will need to arrange that separately through a taxi service, SuperShuttle, Uber, Lyft or renting a car.
For our wheelchair users, Houston Metro will be offering a service between the airports and JW Marriott. You will need to pre-register for this service, please contact us to get registered. Be prepared to provide flight #, airline, and arrival/departure times.
HOTEL WIFI INFO
Free WiFi will be provided in rooms for Marriott Rewards members, if you are not already a Marriott Rewards member, you can sign up to be a member upon check in. Free WiFi will also be available in the Lobby, cell service will be available in the Ballroom a majority of the sessions will be taking place.
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Financial Assistance to Attend SFL 6
Limb loss/limb different individuals may apply for financial assistance to help offset their travel and lodging expenses (up to $1,000 USD) in order to attend the Skills for Life 6 Workshop. Applications will be processed in the order they were received. Recipients will be notified with plenty of time to make travel arrangements. Travel will be reimbursed after receiving paid receipt and lodging will be paid directly to the hotel.
PLEASE NOTE: You will still need to register for the conference through Eventbrite. Click here or the button in this section to start your scholarship application. Please contact us with any questions.
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Become a Skills for Life 6 Sponsor/Exhibitor Today!
Please send a big THANK YOU to TIRR Memorial Hermann (Platinum), Fillauer (Gold), Hanger (Silver), Holmes Prosthetic Center (Silver), Ossur (Bronze), Ottobock (Bronze), Aether Biomedical (Bronze), Point Designs (Bronze), ALPS (Bronze), Open Bionics (Bronze), Coapt Engineering (Iron), Infinite Biomedical Technologies (Iron), Strowmatt Rehabilitation Services (Iron) Handspring (Iron), Baker Orthotics & Prosthetics (Iron), Action Trackchair/Carlson Mobility (Exhibitor), and No White Flags (Exhibitor), Bulldog Tools 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. We would love to add your company name to our growing list of sponsors!
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 or buttons in this section to learn more on how to get involved. Please consider becoming a sponsor or exhibitor at SFL 6 and contact us with any questions.
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Shawn Swanson Johnson, OT (co-chair)
Kristi Turner, OT (co-chair)
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Diane Atkins, OT
Nathalie Atkins
John Dombo
Zach Harvey, CP
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Wendy Hill, OT
Scott Hosie, CP
Danielle Melton, MD
Wayne Moorehead
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Eric Nelson
Levin Sliker, PhD
Mike St Onge
Patricia Tully, OT
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Mike St Onge, Chair
Summer Kozai, Treasurer
Annae Jones, Secretary
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John Dombo
Karen Lundquist
Harold Sears, PhD
Gerry Stark, CP
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Steve Kaestle
Mara Herschbach
Karen Fetter, Admin
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Thank you Skills for Life 6 Sponsors! |
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Gold Sponsor & Repair Booth |
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Silver Sponsor & Repair Booth |
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Help us continue to provide meaningful connections! |
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Skills for Life 6 HERO Sponsors |
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Sponsor a Limb Loss Individual to attend the Skills for Life 6 Workshop today and your
name/company logo will be placed here and in our official program
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Scholarships
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 assistance requests need to be completed and submitted online. Please be as thorough as possible in your applications and provide good contact information as follow up emails or phone calls may be necessary. Please contact Kristi Turner with any questions.
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Change a Life, Donate Today
The Skills for Life workshop was developed 20 years ago with a specific focus on people missing both arms or all four limbs and the unique set of circumstances they face on a daily basis. Please consider donating so everyone who wants to has a chance to attend this life changing international event! To donate, please click either button in this section. If you make a donation of $1000 or higher, you will be recognized as a HERO Sponsor at Skills for Life 6. Feel free to leave a note with your donation if sponsoring a particular individual or multiple individuals.
Any and all donations, large or small, are greatly appreciated! To show our appreciation, your name will be listed on our Skills for Life 6 website and in our Skills for Life Program!
Enhancing Skills for Life, 501c3 Tax ID: 81-2619137.
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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!
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Contact Us | 713-240-8336 | Email
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