~To empower, educate and connect those living without both arms or all four limbs. |
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{ August 2021 Newsletter } |
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Executive Director's Message
We are only two months away from Skills for Life 5 1/2! Make sure you register for the event soon, registration will close in early October. More information can be found in the SFL 5 1/2 section below regarding registration and program details.
We are super excited to connect virtually THIS year and look forward to seeing everyone in person NEXT year in 2022! Mark your calendars for SFL 6 in Houston, TX October 5-9, 2022.
As a reminder, our Annual ESFL Board of Directors Meeting is coming up this Thursday, August, 12, 2022 at 4:00pm central. Save the date and bookmark the below zoom link if you plan on attending. Additional information can be found on our website and social media.
As of Friday, August 6th, we learned that we are a Combined Federal Campaign Charity! This was a high hurdle to clear and we are excited to be able to reach more people who might be willing to support our mission!
Keep reading for more information on our upcoming events, the ESFL annual meeting, a neat makerspace opportunity, and to watch a great video about post sepsis syndrome from two amazing sepsis survivors!
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Skills for Life 5 1/2 Virtual Bilateral Upper Limb Loss Workshop will take place online October 15-16, 2021. Click here to register or the above button. The program is still in process, it will be updated and modified regularly to reflect current status.
We are still welcoming exhibitors, click here to showcase your company at Skills for Life 5 1/2! Contact Shawn if you have any questions.
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Mark Your Calendars!! Skills for Life 6 will take place in Houston, TX October 5-9, 2022. The in person workshops only happen every 3 years. It is such an amazing reunion when we get together after so much time apart! If you learned a new trick or gained new insight from a SFL workshop in the past, please consider PAYING IT FORWARD by attending SFL 6 in person in 2022. By sharing your experiences and knowledge, you will be helping someone who may just be getting started on their limb loss journey and allowing them see that they are not alone. There are many new individuals who join our SFL community between workshops and they will greatly benefit from your knowledge and experience. More information on hotel, program, activity day, and other aspects of the workshop will be coming after the conclusion of SFL 5 1/2.
We know companies are planning their 2022 budget around this time so make sure to Click Here to learn more!
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ESFL is now a Combined Federal Campaign Charity!
Are you a Federal employee and interested in workplace giving? Consider choosing Enhancing Skills for Life as one of the charities you support. Starting September 1, 2021 search for us by name or by our CFC# which is 60813.
The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.
CFC is the only authorized solicitation of employees in the Federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations and CFC is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign. Pledges made by Federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season (each autumn) support eligible nonprofit organizations that provide human health and welfare benefits throughout the world.
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ESFL Annual Meeting!
We are holding our annual ESFL meeting THIS THURSDAY, August 12, 2022 at 4:00pm central time. Please join us to come learn about what we have been up to this past year and our plans for the future. You can join the zoom meeting by clicking this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97649737361?pwd=VHN3SllxUVRNZ1IzNFVvNTgyZUg2UT09. This information will also be on our FB page and other social media groups or platforms.
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July Monthly Zoom -
Post Sepsis Syndrome
Although we had put a pause on the Enhancing Skills for Life monthly live zoom sessions, Katy Grainger and Kim Steele wanted to record their previously scheduled July session about Sepsis so we could share this helpful information with everyone. Katy & Kim share their experience with sepsis, amputations, complications from sepsis and their tips for overcoming daily struggles. Katy is a board member for Sepsis Alliance and Kim is an active part of the Enhancing Skills for Life, Quad Squad and Sepsis Alliance communities. They are both involved with the Amputee Coalition as well. Thank you again, Katy and Kim! Click the thumbnail above or HERE to watch.
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Makerspace: Submit a Problem &
We Will Try Our Best to Solve It!
Is there something you want to do on your own, but just can’t? Let us help you figure out a different way! Maybe a solution already exists that we can share with you? But, if not, here are some neat opportunities to come up with a solution. Share your challenges with us between now and virtual SFL 5.5 in October 2021. You will then be assigned to work with a team over the next few months. At SFL 6, October 2022 (in person), solutions to projects from SFL 5.5 will be presented/delivered. Limb loss individuals will also have the opportunity to share additional or new problems at SFL 6. If you are interested in submitting a project idea or participating as a maker (prizes!), contact Levin Sliker at levin@pointdesignsllc.com.
We have our first few applications rolling in, so submit your challenges and let's see if we can help find a solution.
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Shawn Swanson Johnson, OT (co-chair)
Kristi Turner, OT (co-chair)
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Diane Atkins, OTR
John Dombo
Wendy Hill, OT
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Scott Hosie, CP
Danielle Melton, MD
Eric Nelson
Levin Sliker, PhD
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Fanny Schultea, CP
Mike St Onge
Patricia Tully, OT
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Mike St Onge, Chair
Jeff Mulvogue, Treasurer
Annae Jones, Secretary
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Harold Sears, PhD
Gerry Stark, CP
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Samoana Matagi
Karen Lundquist
Mara Herschbach
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Thank you SFL 5 1/2 Sponsors!
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Help us continue to provide meaningful connections!
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Financial Assistance
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 aid requests need to be completed and submitted online by clicking HERE. COVID-19 financial aid is also still available for those in need. Please be as thorough as possible in your applications and provide good contact information as follow up emails or phone calls may be necessary.
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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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