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Executive Director's Message
Think about things you do everyday, like tying your shoes, brushing your teeth, or driving your car. 
 
Then imagine doing those things without your arms or without all four limbs. 
 
Living without both arms or all four limbs is quite rare, and being able to connect with others who can relate to what you are going through is life-changing. This transformation was what inspired the Skills for Life workshops, events that gathered people who were living with this unique limb difference along with their caregivers and experienced clinicians. The community that was created continues to actively share life skills that promote independence and empowerment.  

The first workshop was held in 2002 and started as a US based program and hosted 50 attendees.  Over the last 18 years, the workshop has been held 5 times and has grown into an international program with close to 300 attendees from 13 different counties.

In 2016, Enhancing Skills for Life was formed as a 501c3 with the mission to not only support the Skills for Life Workshops, but to also expand powerful in-person connections for our community. 

You are a critical part of continuing to evolve and grow the mission and people we serve, please stay subscribed to these email newsletters and bookmark our website to keep up to date with the latest information in our organization. 
 
As a gift to me on GIVING TUESDAY, please consider inviting a friend, family or colleague to join in supporting Enhancing Skills for LIfe. Helping to build awareness of our unique resources and support will make a difference!
I hope YOU are doing WELL!  Take care!


-ESFL Mission: To educate, empower and connect those living with bilateral upper limb loss.
Ronnie Hindsman's 3rd Annual Bowling Tournament Fundraiser

Ronnie lost both his arms in a work accident on June 29, 2004. He attended his first Skills for Life workshop in 2008.  Ronnie described this event as life changing because he learned so much from meeting others like himself.  He wanted to ensure that these Skills for Life workshops continued so he began hosting a bowling tournament fundraiser in 2019.  The first one was such a success that he held a second tournament in 2020 and invited others missing both arms to join him. To date he has raised and donated to Enhancing Skills for Life (501c3) over $21,000 - money which is going directly to providing in-person meetings for those living with bilateral upper limb loss. Ronnie plans to make this an annual event and hopes that the event will attract more people living with bilateral upper limb loss in years to come.
 
The third annual tournament will be held February 6-7, 2021 in Livingston, TX. For more information about Ronnie's Annual Bowling Tournament or to become involved by attending or donating, click here.

Scholarship money is also available for those individuals missing both arms interested in attending. Please see the scholarship section below for more information.
Financial Assistance

Are you an individual living with bilateral upper or quad limb loss and experiencing financial hardship or seeking financial aid to attend an event that aims to support face to face interaction with others like you (e.g. Amputee Coalition National Conference, Quad Squad Muster, Camp No Limits)?
 
If so, financial assistance is available by application to Enhancing Skills for Life, 501c3. Financial aid requests need to be completed and submitted online and applications can be accessed by clicking the blue button below.  If you have any further questions, please contact Kristi Turner or Shawn Johnson with any questions.

Stay Connected with our Zoom Meetings!!

Since May 2020 Enhancing Skills for Life, 501c3 have been hosting monthly virtual Tips 'n Tricks meetings in response to the challenge to face-to-face meetings presented by the Covid-19 global pandemic. To date we have covered kitchen gadgets, assistive technologies; dressing, bathing and toileting; coping, grief and struggles as well as the all important taking care of your caretaker. These sessions have been well attended and all reports are that they have been incredibly helpful.
 
Login, links and reminders are posted on our Facebook closed group. If you are a limb loss individual and not a member of the Skills for Life Closed Group, please contact us for login information and we will send to you by email.
 
Also, starting in 2021 we will begin to hold public virtual sessions open to all. Make sure you add the first of these exciting sessions to your calendar on January 27. We are pleased to announce that we will be joined by Danielle Melton, MD. who will moderate our session on 'Covid-19 and the Bilateral Upper Limb Loss Community'. Links and login information will be available next month on our social media pages.
SFL Virtual Program: Sponsors Wanted

Due to the necessary postponement of Skills for Life 6 to 2022, the Skills for Life Workshop Planning Committee have shifted gears to bring a virtual event in 2021 - SFL5 1/2: Still Connected. Organization is well underway and we expect this to be a wonderful way to connect within the ongoing confines of the global pandemic. Stay tuned in the coning months for more details.
 
Remember, mark your calendars for October 5-9, 2022 when we will be reconnecting face-to-face once more for Skills for Life 6. This face-to-face workshop will promise to once again be life changing for those who attend so you'd hate to miss out.
 
If you are a prosthetic manufacturer and/or prosthetic patient provider, please consider sponsoring these amazing programs and opportunities so the bilateral upper limb loss community can continue to stay connected and benefit from such life changing support. If you are interested in being of assistance please contact us with questions or to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
Consider Supporting ESFL on Giving Tuesday

December 1 is Giving Tuesday so why not use this day to make a donation to Enhancing Skills for Life (501c3)!
 
All of the work that is done by Enhancing Skills for Life have only been made possible through our generous sponsors and donors. Your donations allow individuals living with bilateral upper limb loss or quadramembral limb loss the chance to remain connected to their community by offering:
-    Scholarships to attend the life changing Skills for Life Workshop
-    Virtual workshops on a range of topics unique to their needs
-    Face-to-face peer introductions/support
-    Financial assistance to those hit financial by events such as Covid-19
 
Consider a donation on December 1 to support the work of Enhancing Skills for Life, 501c3 in delivering these programs and click on the donate button below and make sure to note if there is a specific program you wish to support.
 
Enhancing Skills for Life EIN: 81-2619137. Please contact us if you have any questions.

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Adaptive Equipment Publication - We Need YOUR Help!

Enhancing Skills for Life is working on bringing to life a comprehensive publication that outlines the various pieces of adaptive equipment individuals living with bilateral upper limb loss or quad limb loss utilize for activities of daily living (ADL's).
 
As part of this ambitious project we are seeking to crowdsource photos from you the end users of these items. From bidets to cutting boards. From back scrubbers to wireless charging pads. Whatever you use to make your life easier send us a photo and we will include it in the publication as well as an acknowledgement in the list of contributors.  The photos can either be of you using the device or just the device itself and the device can be commercially available or homemade.
 
CLICK HERE to upload your images (highest quality JPG preferred, but other formats will be accepted as well). When making a submission please include the following:
  1. Your email address
  2. Your name as you would like it to appear in the acknowledgement
  3. Description of the image/item
Please contact us if you have any questions. 
ESFL is an AmazonSmile Charity!

Enhancing Skills for Life (501c3) is excited to be pairing with AmazonSmile Foundation as a recognized charity. So, when you shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) the AmazonSmille Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to Enhancing Skills for Life (501c3).
 
When first visiting AmazonSmile you will be prompted to select a charitable organization so why not choose Enhancing Skills for Life, 501c3?
Contact Us | 713-240-8336 | Email
Enhancing Skills for Life, 501c3
Board of Directors

Rod McCracken, Chair
Harold Sears, PhDSamoana Matagi
Jeff Mulvogue, TreasurerGerry Stark, CPKaren Lundquist
Mike St Onge, SecretaryAnnae JonesMara Hersbach

Skills for Life Planning Committee
Shawn Swanson Johnson, OT (co-chair)
Kristi Turner, OT (co-chair)

Diane Atkins, OT
Scott Hosie, CP
Levin Sliker
Jon Batzdorff, CPRod McCrackenFanny Schultea, CP
John Dombo
Danielle Melton, MD
Mike St Onge
Wendy Hill, OT
Eric Nelson
Patricia Tully, OT

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