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~To empower, educate and connect those living without both arms or all four limbs.
{ April 2022 Newsletter }
Executive Director's Message

Hopefully everyone has found a way to celebrate Limb Loss/Limb Difference Awareness Month as well as Occupational Therapy Month this April!

Every April is a time to recognize the limb loss and limb different community and the vital need to support efforts that advance equitable medical access, care, and coverage. The Amputee Coalition has done a fabulous job at spotlighting the awesome ways people have recognized Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month.

We also want to send a special shout out to the amazing OT's around the world who help individuals in our Skills for Life community return to various levels of independence in their daily life.

After beginning to plan for SFL 6 way back in 2019, it is hard to believe that we are now just 5 months out from the next SFL Workshop! Registration is NOW OPEN (see below for links)! It is probably a good time to start looking into airfare, booking your hotel room, registering for the workshop and applying for scholarships. We can't wait to see everyone in October!

*Pro Tip: For great deals on airfare, you can set alerts (HOU or IAH) on Skyscanner OR check out "Escape Houston" (website or FB) for your October travel dates to Houston.

As usual, more information is included below so please make sure to stay subscribed to these emails or keep checking our website for updates.
Evening Fun & Social Activities
at Skills for Life 6
Wednesday, October 5th
Happy Hour in the Exhibit Hall
Come mingle with our amazing sponsors. Drink tickets and food will be provided. Icebreaker TBD.

Thursday, October 6th
First Swing Golf Clinic with food and drinks.
The outing is sponsored by OPAF and will be free for Limb Loss/Limb Different attendees. All others are welcome to attend, but will be responsible for golf, food and drink expenses.

Saturday, October 8th
Calling ALL crafts people, artists, designers, jewelry makers, wood workers, creators, builders, and business owners who want to donate something!! Maybe you have a gift card or physical item you want to donate or maybe you want to paint, build or create something that we can auction or raffle off at Skills for Life 6 in 2022! You have about 5 months to think about ideas and it's all for a good cause! Contact Shawn for details or questions.

Dinner, DJ, Dancing and a Silent Auction are currently planned for the night, more details to come!
Latest Program Information

The Skills for Life Workshops are unique events dedicated to people who are living without both hands/arms or more. The program is devoted specifically to issues faced by these individuals. We look forward to having you join us in Houston, TX October 5-9, 2022 for our 20th Anniversary of this life changing event!! It only happens every 3 years so this would be a wonderful opportunity to meet up to 70 other individuals from all over the world who also have personal experiences with bilateral upper limb loss. Remember we offer scholarships!

PAY IT FORWARD, SHARE YOUR SKILLS
We will have a dedicated block of time for Bathing, Toileting, Grooming, Dressing, Meal Preparation and Eating! Do you have a tip or trick you want to share? Contact Us and we will let you know the next steps.

SHOW & TELL
If it fits in your luggage, bring your own adaptive equipment from home for show & tell. We will also have some popular items out for everyone to take a look at, observe how it works/what it is used for, ask questions, etc.

PROGRAM LAYOUT
In addition to our sponsors sharing their latest updates, we are planning on having discussions regarding pain management, return to work, home modifications, grief & trauma, makerspace, sexual health & intimacy, functional outcomes, challenged athletes foundation grant process, congenital limb difference, post sepsis syndrome, OT/CP workshop and much more!

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (*subject to change)
Wednesday: 12-8pm
Thursday: 8am-8pm
Friday: 8am-6pm
Saturday: 8am-10pm
Sunday: depart

Read what previous attendees have to say about the Skills for Life Workshops! Watch the Skills for Life 5 slideshow.
SFL 6 ACTIVITIES

Thursday, October 6th
Golf Outing for a First Swing Clinic with OPAF

Friday, October 7th
Quad Boot Camp with Hanger Clinic
Return to Driving Expo featuring several adapted vehicles with Strowmatt Rehabilitation Services

Saturday, October 8th
Adapted Cycling with Achilles International
Horse Care & Therapeutic Riding with Cowboy Up Therapies
Adapted Gaming with Warfighter Engaged
Art Class with Chrissy Kaestle
More to come!
SFL 6 Hotel & Registration Information

The below information along with all the latest information can also be found on our Skills for Life 6 website.

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 IS NOW OPEN!!
All attendees will use Eventbrite to guarantee their 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.
Click the eventbrite logo in this section or HERE to register for SFL 6!
Financial Assistance Applications

We have seen an increase in applications being submitted the past few weeks. We have received 15 applications so far and expect additional requests to continue coming in over the next few months. If you are thinking of attending in October, consider starting your application today...the sooner, the better!

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. 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. 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.
Become a Skills for Life 6 Sponsor/Exhibitor Today!

Send a big THANK YOU to TIRR Memorial Hermann (Platinum), Fillauer (Gold), Hanger (Silver), Holmes Prosthetic Center (Silver), Ossur (Bronze), Ottobock (Bronze), Aether Biomedical (Bronze), Point Designs (Copper), Coapt Engineering (Iron), Infinite Biomedical Technologies (Iron), Unlimited Tomorrow (Iron), Medical Center O&P (Iron), Strowmatt Rehabilitation Services (Iron) Handspring (Iron) 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 list!
 
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.
Shawn Swanson Johnson, OT (co-chair)
Kristi Turner, OT (co-chair)
Thank you Skills for Life 6 Sponsors!
Organizing Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor & Repair Booth
Skills for Life 6 HERO Sponsors
Sponsor a Limb Loss Individual to attend the Skills for Life 6
Workshop today and your name/company logo will be placed here
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.
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. 
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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