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~To empower, educate and connect those living without both arms or more

{ May 2023 Newsletter }

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE


We received some heartbreaking news last month about one of our Haitian friends, Jolissaint Joseph. Many of us met him at the 2018 Skills For Life event. His joy was contagious, and it is hard to believe that he is no longer with us. After being fit with prostheses at SFL 5, he went on to work at a rehab clinic, inspiring those in his community. He leaves behind his wife and two-month-old daughter. Please read below to see how you can help his family in his memory.

 

What’s Coming

Even though there isn’t an in-person Skills for Life workshop in 2023, there are still many exciting ways to connect and learn within our community. From our May zoom meeting to an exciting event coming up in October, we are sure you will want to hear all the details.

 

Thank You Gerry

As Gerry Stark concludes his board service, I want to share a heartfelt, thank you. In the more than 20 years that I have known him, his quick wit and intellect have often been at our service. He was a sounding board for me, especially as we transitioned from our focus on a single event and scholarships to the resources and connections we support today. He said yes, accepted a board position, and has shared his research expertise, clinical connections, and passion for people. He has made us laugh, and although it is hard to say farewell, we know he will continue to make amazing things happen in prosthetics both nationally and internationally.


New Growth

Along with endings, we are also sharing a beginning. Please help me welcome Alyssa Daniels, Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Student. Alyssa will be doing her capstone work with ESFL from April-July 2023. A capstone project allows college students to demonstrate expertise in their major or area of study. She will be setting the foundation for our grant/development efforts, all aimed at growing our impact and creating more peer connections and resources. We’re looking forward to see how the seeds she will plant grow.


Thank you to everyone for supporting us. From reading the newsletter to sharing on line, helping us to spread the news about ESFL is a job we couldn’t do without you! 


Jolissaint Joseph

Gerald Stark, PhD, CPO

Alyssa Daniels, OTD Student

Remembering our friend from Haiti -

Jolissaint Joseph


For those who may not be aware, Jolissaint Joseph, Cedieu Fortilus, Ivens Louius and Emmanuel Valcin all attended Skills for Life 5 in 2018. Jolissaint was fit with prosthetic arms while at the workshop thanks to Brad Veatch, Jon Batzdorff, Karl Lindborg and others. He went back to Haiti with newfound independence and worked at Cedieu’s rehabilitation clinic. We have kept in touch over the last 4 years and Cedieu was able to join us at Skills for Life 6. Sadly, Jolissaint was killed by gangsters while traveling to Port au Prince the last week of April. He leaves behind a new wife and 2-month old daughter.


The below message is from Ginger Oliver, Ginger is the founder and Executive Director of the Community Rehab Project which established and provides oversite for the Rehabilitation Center of Artibonite, the only rehabilitation clinic in Gonaives, Haiti. This city of 300,000 people previously had no access to rehabilitation services. She and her family regularly visit Haiti and she coordinates medical mission trips to Haiti throughout the year.

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We are so saddened by the senseless loss of our dear friend Jolissaint Joseph. We appreciate all the kind words and many prayers that have been offered in his name. We feel so blessed to have known and loved him and know that he has made an impact on all of our lives forever. His loving heart and determination to conquer his disabilities are such a powerful and lasting gift that he has left for so many others. His new wife, daughter, brothers and parents will forever be in our hearts. We are aware of the dangers of public fundraising at this time so we are fundraising privately to support Jolissaint’s wife and family in Haiti. If you are interested in contributing, please donate through the nonprofit organization Community Rehab Project and 100% of the donations in his name will go to his family. Please make sure to include his name in your donation.

www.communityrehabproject.com

ISPO Mexico & SFL 6 Slideshow


ESFL Executive Director, Shawn Johnson, presented on Occupational Therapy and Bilateral Upper Limb Loss in Guadalajara, Mexico on April 25th. The attendees consisted of therapists, physicians, prosthetists, nurses, manufacturers, professors, students, engineers, etc.

 

This opportunity provided an amazing platform with a global

audience to help raise awareness about the ESFL community along with the

events, programs, and the resources we offer. Many attendees expressed

appreciation knowing this organization exists and that they would be sharing

the knowledge with colleagues and patients. The presentation concluded with a

slideshow of the Skills for Life Workshop 6 set to music. The video impacted not only the healthcare professionals in the room, but also the translators and sound

technicians who expressed their appreciation by holding up heart signs at the conclusion.

Skills for Life 6 Recap Slideshow

Andy Mattox's Rock & Bowl Fundraiser


Andy Mattox's life significantly changed on August 31, 2021. He nearly lost his life while running fiber optic lines from a bucket truck near some electrical lines. He sustained electrical burns throughout his body including both arms. Andy's left arm was amputated at the shoulder and he lost most functional use of his right hand. Andy attended his first Skills for Life Workshop in October 2022 and subsequently Ronnie's Bowling Tournament in February 2023. 

After obtaining an adapted bowling device and attending Ronnie's Fundraiser, Andy now bowls in a weekly league in his hometown of Medina, OH. Andy was so inspired by his ESFL experiences as well the connections he made at those events that he wanted to host his own fundraiser to ensure these connections and events continue to happen. Come join us for a fun weekend! Start your scholarship application today.


Andy's weekend's events are as follows:

Saturday, October 7th

-Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Tour (AM)

-Dinner and a live Elvis performance at VFW Post 5137 (PM)

Sunday, October 8th

-Doubles Bowling Tournament


Andy's Rock & Bowl Fundraiser Website

Zoom Meetup -

Wednesday, May 24 @ 7:00pm


Our next zoom is scheduled for May 24th at 7:00pm central. This session will be hosted by Sandy Crisp and Annae Jones. Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 24 at 7:00pm central. We will take a break over the summer and hope to start back up with zooms in September.


Zoom Link:

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

Guest Contributor:

Mental Health Matters


MANAGING TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA


Sandy Crisp has compiled some helpful tips for cutting down time spent on social media as well as tools to help identify unhealthy social media behavior.


"Although there are important benefits, social media can also provide platforms for bullying and exclusion, unrealistic expectations about body image and sources of popularity, normalization or risk-taking behaviors, and can be detrimental to mental health." – Claude Mellins, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health


Click here to read more from Sandy.

Contributor

Sandy Crisp, LPC-A, CRC, LCDC

Events/Programs


Hanger Clinic Empowerfest

July 7-9, 2023

Salt Lake City, UT


Amputee Coalition National Conference

August 2-5, 2023

Orlando, FL


Camp No Limits

Through October 2023

Various US Locations

Get Involved!


Thank you to those of you who reached out to us the past two months! We are excited to see what's in store for ESFL. We are still looking for help so let us know if you have time, experience, resources or referrals/connections with any of the below.

  • Scholarship Committee
  • SFL 7 Planning Committee (will likely start communicating Summer 2024)
  • Board of Directors

Enhancing Skills for Life, 501c3

Mike St Onge, Chair

Summer Kozai, Treasurer

Annae Jones, Secretary

John Dombo

Mara Herschbach

Steve Kaestle


Karen Lundquist

Harold Sears, PhD

Karen Fetter, Admin


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. To donate, please click either the Venmo or PayPal donate buttons in this section. 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. 

DONATE TODAY
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