~To empower, educate and connect those living without both arms or more |
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{ September 2022 Newsletter } |
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Executive Director's Message
In November 2019, we signed the contract with the hotel to hold Skills for Life 6. As you may recall, we took a little detour in 2021 and held an amazing virtual event in place our in person workshop. Our planning committee is excited to see this in person event finally come to fruition. I want to take the time to say thank you to ALL of the planning committee members who have served in various capacities over the last 3 years. When you see them at SFL 6, please make sure to show your appreciation for their efforts.
Items to Note
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Skills for Life 6 is just ONE MONTH away!! We now have over 60 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 have pretty much sold out, but please don't worry! We have nearby hotel options listed below and on our website. You can also still book at our hotel, just not at our discounted rate.
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to read Dawn & Mike's Travel Tips for the Beginner Amputee
- Amputee Coalition is providing a Certified Peer Visitor (CPV) training at SFL! Space is limited, see below for more information.
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SFL 6 Workshop 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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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.
We are super excited to share that Brandon Canesi and Andreas Brandenberger will be joining us in Houston!! Both gentlemen recently competed in the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open which was held July 18-20 in Pinehurst, NC. Read more about them by clicking their names or photos in this section.
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.
Click here to see some of our Silent Auction, Raffle and Giveaway Items! Consider bringing a small empty suitcase in case you end up winning anything at the fundraiser. If not, we will certainly figure out a way to ship your items to you.
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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.
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Certified Peer Visitor Training at SFL 6!
Message from Amputee Coalition:
At the heart of the Amputee Coalition’s mission is our peer support programs. Our goal is to make sure that no one goes through this journey alone. We believe that support comes in many forms and can make an incredible difference in recovery and rehabilitation. The Amputee Coalition’s Certified Peer Visitors (CPVs) are trained volunteers who provide information and support for individuals about to undergo an amputation or who currently have limb loss/difference. We are excited to partner with Enhancing Skills for Life to bring a hybrid CPV training to Houston during the Skills for Life 6: Bilateral Upper Limb Loss Workshop. Our hybrid training requires CPV Candidates complete a 3.5-hour training session via Zoom with a Certified Peer Visitor Trainer and then you can complete your in-person 2.5-hour skills assessment during the Skills for Life Workshop training session. If you're interested in becoming a CPV during the Skills for Life Workshop, we invite you to review the CPV criteria and complete an application by clicking this link or the images in this section. You will be asked to authorize a background check and submit two letters of recommendation at the end of the application. Please note, this will be a small training session, with only 10 seats available. *Cutoff date for registration is September 16, 2022.
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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 will be requiring a negative test OR proof of vaccination upon arrival to SFL 6. This will be part of the check in process and will be required to obtain your attendee badge.
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Continuing Education & Learning Objectives
- Understand pre-prosthetic evaluation and treatment needs unique to individuals missing both arms or all four limbs
- Understand evaluation and treatment needs after a prosthetic device has been fit
- Gain exposure to functional skills, adaptations, equipment, modifications used by individuals missing both arms or all four limbs
- Learn about the latest technology, surgical techniques and prosthetic componentry
- Discuss appropriate functional outcomes, dependent upon level of limb loss/absence
- Discuss emotional adjustments and impacts to the individual and family living with bilateral upper limb or quadruple limb loss
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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
Make sure to mention you are with the "Enhancing Skills for Life Workshop" to receive the $150/night rate.
IMPORTANT HOTEL UPDATE: September 3, 2022
The Skills for Life 6 room block rate of $150/night is sold out for several nights. Please don’t worry! You can book at several nearby awesome options and ALL are less than a half a mile away! Most of these hotels have shuttle services within a mile radius and Uber/Lyft are everywhere in this area. You can also still book rooms at the SFL 6 hotel, just not at our reduced conference rate. For our scholarship recipients, who have not booked hotel rooms yet, we will need to coordinate with the hotel you end up making reservations with. If anyone has made a reservation and no longer needs it, please make sure to email SSJRehab@gmail.com so we can transfer your reservation to someone else.
* To see the nearby options, click here or on the button in this section. Each blue underlined hotel name in the document includes a hyperlink to that hotel for reservations.
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AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
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.
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.
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Free Transportation for our Wheelchair Users! |
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Financial Assistance Still Available!
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), Point Designs (Bronze), ALPS (Bronze), Open Bionics (Bronze), Arm Dynamics, (Bronze), Amputee Coalition (Bronze), Aether Biomedical (Copper), Coapt Engineering (Iron), Infinite Biomedical Technologies (Iron), Strowmatt Rehabilitation Services (Iron) Handspring (Iron), Baker Orthotics & Prosthetics (Iron), Psyonic (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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