~To empower, educate and connect those living without both arms or all four limbs. |
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{ March 2022 Newsletter } |
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Executive Director's Message
It is hard to believe, but we began sending out email blasts in 2011. They were meant to provide updates for a few months leading up to the Skills for Life 3 Workshop. We then started sending out emails again in 2015 and 2018 leading up to the fourth and fifth Skills for Life Workshops. During the pandemic in 2020, we began sending regular monthly newsletters to keep our limb loss/limb different community connected as well as informed about resources, general information, and relevant webinars. These communication tools also help keep our supporters and sponsors informed and connected. We are extremely grateful to these individuals and organizations as we would not be able to continue providing programs or resources without them.
Hopefully you have been enjoying the monthly newsletters these past two years and if you ever want to look back on archived newsletters, you can find them on our website under the resources tab. As a heads up, the newsletters over the next few months will be heavily focused on the Skills for Life 6 Workshop which will take place October 5-9, 2022 in Houston, TX.
Lots of great information is included so please make sure to stay subscribed to these emails or keep checking our website for updates.
Last, but not least, Limb Loss Awareness Month begins in April (tomorrow), it is a time to recognize those living with limb loss and limb difference. Make sure to check out Amputee Coalition's website on different ways you can recognize this special month for our SFL community.
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Repair Booth at Skills for Life 6! |
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For those wearing prosthetic arms or legs, have you traveled to a conference in the past and had something break on you? If so, not to worry at Skills for Life 6 because we will have a repair booth in Houston, courtesy of Fillauer and Holmes Prosthetic Center! This means if you have a screw come loose (literally, not figuratively), a frayed cable, something breaks, a grommet falls out or a common piece mysteriously disappears from your arms (or legs), we have you covered at Skills for Life! We have seen our amazing healthcare professionals working in the side rooms or back corners since 2008 to help with impromptu fixes to make sure you can still function while you are away from home and your prosthetists. We just want to make sure everyone knows this awesome booth will be available throughout the 3.5 days while you are in Houston! Be sure to thank our Fillauer and HPC friends if you see them around at SFL 6!
Disclaimer: This is not a prosthetic evaluation clinic, it is only for small repairs or quick fixes.
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Skills for Life 6 Latest Information
The Skills for Life Workshops are unique events dedicated to people who are living without both arms or all four limbs. The program is devoted specifically to this community. We look forward to having you join us in Houston, TX October 5-9, 2022 for our 20th Anniversary of this life changing event!!
PROGRAM LAYOUT
Remember all of those awesome videos from virtual Skills for Life? We are looking for speakers willing to lead sessions on bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming, meal prep/eating, etc. We are excited about how the SFL 6 Program is shaping up, but need your help!! Contact us if you are willing to share and/or demonstrate. We will have a dedicated block of time for the above mentioned Activities of Daily Living (ADL's) and adaptive equipment, etc, In addition to our sponsors sharing their latest updates, we are planning on having discussions regarting pain management, return to work, trauma/coping, makerspace, congenital limb difference, and sepsis.
We are also excited to announce that we have Jennifer Piatt, PhD from Indiana University moderating a session on Sexuality and Intimacy. She will be partnering with a local Houston representative from Pure Romance, the source for relationship enhancement for over 25 years. We also hope to have a return of the healthcare professional workshop and much more!
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Skills for Life Activities!
Look for an exciting boot camp opportunity with Hanger Clinic's Kevin Carroll and Cameron Clapp on Friday morning, October 7th. Additional info and details will be made available in the coming months. We are also looking forward to a swim clinic opportunity led by swim coaches from Challenged Athlete’s Foundation (CAF) on Saturday, October 8th.
The ever popular Activity Day will be back, bigger and better than ever! We will definitely have your favorites from years past like, Kids Korner, Adaptive Gaming with Warfighter Engaged, Biking, Swimming, Exercise Class, Art Class, Cooking Demo.
We are excited to announce that OPAF and the First Clinics will be working on a First Swing Golf clinic!! There are many other awesome opportunities in the works as well so stay tuned!
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SFL 6 Hotel & Registration Information
JW MARRIOTT RESERVATIONS
Our Skills for Life 6 Workshop will be held at the JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria, 5150 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056
*Cutoff reservation date is September 14, 2022
Pro Tip: Book now as you can always cancel later if you end up not being able to come.
REGISTRATION
Eventbrite registration link will open in April! Stay tuned to this newsletter and/or our website for the latest information. Once registration opens, you will use Eventbrite to guarantee your spot at Skills for Life. 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.
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Financial Assistance Applications
Limb loss individuals may apply for financial assistance to help offset their travel and lodging expenses (up to $1,000 USD) in order to attend a Skills for Life event or something similar. Applications will be processed in the order they were received. Someone from the scholarship committee will contact you within 24-48 hours of your application. 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 (coming soon). Follow up emails and/or phone calls will be necessary, so make sure your contact information is accurate.
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!
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 button 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
Wendy Hill, OT
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Scott Hosie, CP
Danielle Melton, MD
Wayne Moorehead
Eric Nelson
Levin Sliker, PhD
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Fanny Schultea, CP
Kim Steele
Mike St Onge
Patricia Tully, OT
Peggy Turner, CTRS
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Mike St Onge, Chair
Jeff Mulvogue, Treasurer
Annae Jones, Secretary
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John Dombo
Harold Sears, PhD
Gerry Stark, CP
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Steve Kaestle
Karen Lundquist
Mara Herschbach
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Thank you Skills for Life 6 Sponsors! |
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Gold 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
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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 the button in this section. If you make a donation of $950 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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