August/

September 2023

September Spotlight

Erica Tambrini

Faces of ESFL

Erica was a 19 year old Freshman when she ended up in the ER, diagnosed with bacterial meningitis which led to sepsis. Erica had all four limbs amputated and underwent months of rehabilitation to learn how to use prosthetics. Just 15 months after she was hospitalized, she returned to college and subsequently went on to become an Occupational Therapist.

You can find more helpful videos on Erica's YouTube Channel or via the Skills for Life Private FB Group.

*Each month, we will try to highlight different people in our community. Contact us if you would like to share your story with our newsletter audience.

Message from the Executive Director

With a nod to the blur of life that happens as summer transitions to fall, we've combined our August and September newsletters. You can check TWO things off your to-do list! 

Andy's Rock & Bowl Fundraiser is quickly approaching! This event offers fun and community connection while raising money for Enhancing Skills for Life. I can't begin to thank Andy enough for ALL he has poured into this event over the last 7 months! If you would like to offer support, he is still accepting sponsorships, silent auction, and raffle items. Check his website for details. We have listed our 8 ESFL community attendees below, and we invite you to join us for bowling and all the event entails.

I also want to thank Karen Fetter for all that she has done for ESFL since joining us in May 2022. Recently Karen's work commitments grew more demanding which in turn led to her stepping away from her ESFL roles and responsibilities

I remember Karen joining us during the height of preparation for SFL 6. She made a seamless personal connection with attendees, sponsors, and volunteers from the start. At the meeting, she handled the registration/information/COVID area, attended sessions, and made amazing connections with attendees and their families, connections she nurtures to this day. She learned Quickbooks, scheduled meetings, took minutes, organized our cloud storage, coordinated marketing ideas, managed projects, researched IT needs, created our onboarding process, and developed our policies and procedures. Throughout it all she was a listening ear and counselor.

Karen's contributions propelled us forward, adding professionalism and process to our growing organization. We reached more people thanks to her, and I will be forever grateful for her dedication and her passion for our mission. Thank you, Karen, I hope we reunite when your other responsibilities are not as heavy.

Karen's departure leaves us with some big shoes to fill. Please help us find our next team member by posting and sharing our need for operations/nonprofit/"virtual" office management. 

Warm regards,

Tips & Resources

Peer Connections/Resource Request

Are you new to the Enhancing Skills for Life community? Maybe you've been around awhile, but still looking to connect with someone similar? Are you a caregiver/family member looking to be introduced to others? The increase in requests we've received the last few months is a direct result of you spreading the word about our organization. We can't thank you enough for helping those in need be able to find us so quickly!

Contact us or fill out this form and we will get you connected.

September Monthly Zoom

We are pleased to announce our September zoom. "Ask a Prosthetist: Upper Limb Focus" with special guest David Rotter, CP. Please make plans to join us on Wednesday, September 27th at 7:00pm central.

During his 25+ years of experience, David has helped thousands of people by creating devices that provide them the ability to walk again, grasp for the first time, or inspire them to achieve more than they ever thought they could. 

BOOKMARK ZOOM LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97649737361?pwd=Q1pqMmEwa1pIOUtXVWkxbkh6UnZnQT09

This will also be posted on our social media pages

Augmental Mouth Pad

This is a super interesting concept for our bilateral upper limb and quad limb loss/limb difference community. What would you use a mouth pad to control or manipulate?

Guest Contributor

Sandy Crisp, LPC-A, CRC, LCDC

Mental Health Matters

Did you know that getting artsy can have a positive impact on your mental health? Crafting can help reduce stress and anxiety, boost confidence, and even give your brain a good workout. It's also a great way to connect with like-minded individuals. Let's each create something unique before our October zoom meeting? We can introduce our creations to the Group in October. So, let’s get our craftsy on, and see how it makes us feel? We may even have a special prize for the winner.

Upcoming Events & Programs

Change a Life, Donate Today



The Skills for Life workshop was developed in 2002 with a specific focus on people living without both arms or more and the unique set of circumstances they face on a daily basis. The nonprofit was founded in 2017 to ensure we could continue supporting the members of our community with programs, events, resources, and connections. Please click the Venmo or PayPal donate buttons in this section to donate. PayPal allows you to donate via your account or with a credit card. Venmo requires you to have an account. Donations can also be made via check, payable to Enhancing Skills for Life, 16111 Park Center Dr, Houston, TX 77059.

Any and all donations, large or small, are greatly appreciated! 

Enhancing Skills for Life, 501c3 Tax ID: 81-2619137.