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Wheel World News
January 2024 Newsletter
| Happy New Year! Welcome to Wheel World News. Our monthly newsletter highlights current events, the different programs offered around the community, and much more. Enjoy! |
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What's Happening: [Functional Wheelchair Skills Classes]
Description: [The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association is partnering with Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center to offer Functional Wheelchair Skills, a program designed to enhance the mobility, independence, and confidence of individuals who use wheelchairs. Our Functional Wheelchair Skills Classes are tailored to meet the unique needs of participants, whether they are new to using a wheelchair or seeking to refine their existing skills.
Each class will focus on a wide range of functional wheelchair skills,
including but not limited to:
-Core Basics of Your Wheelchair
-Navigating ramps, curbs, and inclines
-Transferring in and out of the wheelchair
-Wheelies, Tricks, and Tips
Beyond just physical skills, our program focuses on building confidence and a positive mindset. Participants will be encouraged to embrace their abilities, overcome challenges, and develop a sense of empowerment in their daily lives. These FREE classes will take place at Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center.
Join AZSCIA’s Functional Wheelchair Skills Classes and embark on a transformative journey towards greater independence, mobility, and empowerment. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills for daily activities or newly injured and wanting to gain new skills, our program is designed to meet your needs. All classes are FREE! Registration is still required. Click here to sign up today!]
When: [Thursday, January 18th, 2024]
Where: [Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center]
Cost: [FREE]
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To stay up-to-date on all AZSCIA events (and other events going on within the community), follow our Community Events/News Facebook page! | |
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Join us for our Meditation & Movement Virtual Class!
Next Class:
Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 @ 11am (virtual)
&
Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 @ 11am (virtual)
Where: Via Zoom Call
The intent of the class is to exercise and develop greater self-awareness and inner mastery. With the utilization of mindful and meditation exercises, people have the opportunity to experience greater self-knowledge, resiliency, and positive habit-forming exercises. Come for the experience. Stay for the FUN!
Sign up @ : www.ability360.org/sports/class-schedule/
Virtual Class Link:
Virtual Meditation and Movement Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87199163237?pwd=WUlLWHFjYXlTa2tNQ3J2MXYzc1NoZz09&from=addon
Meeting ID: 871 9916 3237
Passcode: 764454
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Opioid Use Disorder in the Disability Community | |
Individuals with spinal cord injuries are disproportionately affected with OUD (Opioid Use Disorder). A spinal cord injury typically requires the use of various pain-killing medications in an effort to manage pain effectively. However, data shows that after 5 days of use of an opioid, the risk of long-term abuse is drastically higher. The AZSCIA is committed to providing services around prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Our core belief is that opioids are not a sustainable method of treatment for this population. Pain management is a complex issue with a wide range of applicable strategies that can be effective. The goal is to manage pain while simultaneously limiting the chance of opioid use disorder (OUD). For individuals suffering from OUD; MAT therapy has proven to be an extremely effective treatment, one which the AZSCIA supports for any individual who makes that choice. Visit our website here for more resources and information. Pain Doesn't Have to Kill.
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AZSCIA Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit | Our 'Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit' is a great resource for individuals who may be struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), for people who want to learn more about opioids, and for caregivers/family members. This can be your go-to packet on all things OUD, from understanding OUD, first responder education, education or family members/caregivers, recovery support after overdose, and curated SCI community resources. If you ever have further questions or concerns, or just need someone to talk to, please call us at 602-507-4209 or email eric@azspinal.org. | |
| Opioid Reduction Program with Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center |
WE WANT YOU! The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association is working to combat the Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) epidemic in Arizona. We are dedicated to building a healthy community for individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
AZSCIA is working on creating videos to bring awareness to opioid use in the disability community. We are looking for individuals who are willing to share their experience with opioids. If you would like to participate and share your story, please call us at (602) 507-4209 OR email at eric@azspinal.org/allison@azspinal.org.
Your stories will help other individuals in the community. Click the button below if you are interested in sharing your experience. We thank you in advance!
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AZSCIA's Opioid Project Surveys | |
The AZSCIA is dedicated to building a healthy community for individuals with spinal cord injuries and their families. We are conducting data collection to understand the use of opioids within the disability community. The goal is to understand the role opioids play in response to chronic pain. Your feedback is valuable in creating new opportunities to educate and identify resources to increase awareness around the opioid epidemic in Arizona. Your responses are confidential and will not be shared with any third parties. We appreciate your time and thank you in advance for your participation | |
Support groups are a wonderful way to become active in the community, socialize, and meet new friends. You won't want to miss out on these amazing support groups going on throughout Arizona! | |
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Men’s Disability Discussion Group
If you're looking to meet new people or just have a great time, we invite you to join our Men's Support Group run by Don Price.
Men's Group Zoom Meeting
Time: Every week on Thursdays,
4-5:30pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83127569653
Meeting ID: 831 2756 9653
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That's How We Roll - SCI Support Group
This support group is based in Sedona, AZ. They meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Come for support, camaraderie, and resources!
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Flagstaff Spinal Cord Injury & Brain Injury Support Group
Please join us each month on the 1st Tuesday from 5:30 - 7:00 pm!
Primarily a Spinal Cord Injury group but includes MS and Traumatic Brain Injury clients as well since many of the adaptation, medical, equipment, needs, and socialization issues are pertinent to all.
The group meets in the Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Arizona at 1851 North Gemini Drive on McMillan Mesa in Flagstaff, 86001
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Ladies Support Group
Join the AZSCIA for our virtual Ladies Support Group! All ladies are welcome to participate. Our conversations include talking about living with SCI and the challenges we face. It’s all about the good, the bad and the better we can be.
When: 2nd Tuesday of Each Month
@ 2PM (Once a month)
Details: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84551614366
(This link will lead you directly to the call)
Meeting ID: 845 5161 4366
Password: 521326
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2023 Recap - Looking Forward 2024
The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association had an amazing 2023! We want to send a big thank you to all who participated in our events this year. It was great to meet so many new faces as well as connect with old friends throughout the year. From our Dolly Steamboat Ride in the spring to the Abilities Expo in the fall, we enjoyed spending time with the community and getting to share resources with those who needed the support. We look forward to what 2024 will bring and can't wait to make more memories with our wonderful community!
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AZSCIA Peer Mentor Program | |
Contact us: (602) 507-4209
www.azspinal.org
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AZSCIA Peer Mentor Program - Meet Our Mentors! | Did you know we have a great Peer Mentor Program here at the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association? In this video, we wanted to highlight some of our amazing volunteers/mentors who dedicate their time to support the community. If you want to get connected with one of our peer mentors, please reach out to us today! | | |
Podriplegics Podcast/AZSCIA YouTube Channel | |
Podriplegics Podcast
Have you checked out the 'Podriplegics' Podcast yet? If not, you'll want to! This is a podcast where three guys talk about living with a disability and providing insight, current events, and humor about their lives. They host guest speakers regularly. New podcasts come out monthly. Click image below to listen to previous podcasts. Click here to listen!
***Disclaimer***
The show has mature subject matter and mature language.
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AZSCIA YouTube Channel
Be sure to check out the AZSCIA YouTube channel! We will be releasing videos on some of the virtual educational classes we recorded last year. If you subscribe to our YouTube channel, you can click the bell to get notified when we publish new videos!
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Functional Wheelchair Skills
The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association is partnering with Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center to offer Functional Wheelchair Skills, a program designed to enhance the mobility, independence, and confidence of individuals who use wheelchairs. Our Functional Wheelchair Skills Classes are tailored to meet the unique needs of participants, whether they are new to using a wheelchair or seeking to refine their existing skills.
Next class is set to take place on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024
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1st Annual Survivor Celebration Picnic Reunion
For individuals with Brain and/or Spinal Injuries and their family/friends. Sponsored by AZ Spinal Cord Injury Association & We’re Moving Forward!
Join us as we celebrate spinal cord injury and brain injury survivors in our lives and kick off “Brain Injury Awareness Month”. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and water bottles will be provided. If you have dietary requirements, please fee free to bring your own food. See flyer for more information about park features and parking.
When: Saturday, March 16th, 2024
Where: Pioneer Community Park (8755 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85004) from 12-5 pm
Cost: $5 per person
This event will take place Rain or Shine! Please dress accordingly, bring hats, jacket, blankets, sunscreen and a camera.
Registration is required for this event. Click here to sign up today. We hope to see you there!
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AHCCCS Awards Arizona Long Term Care System Contracts to Two Health Plans | |
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Two contractors will provide services statewide to ALTCS members
who are elderly or living with physical disabilities
PHOENIX – The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System has awarded contracts for long term care services to two health plans, Health Net Access, Inc. (dba Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan) and Arizona Physicians IPA, Inc. (dba UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), effective October 1, 2024. Together, these health plans will provide health care services to the approximately 26,000 AHCCCS members who are enrolled in the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) and who are elderly and/or living with a physical disability, known as the ALTCS-EPD program.
The ALTCS contract awards mark the first time in the program’s history that members across the state, regardless of geographic service area, will have a choice between health plans. Both awarded contractors will serve ALTCS-EPD members in all three of the state’s geographic service areas. See the geographic service area map on this AHCCCS web page.
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan is a current ALTCS-EPD health plan serving members in two geographic service areas, and is also a current AHCCCS Complete Care plan. Arizona Complete Health-Complete Plan will be returning as an ALTCS-EPD health plan in addition to its current contract as an AHCCCS Complete Care plan. The initial contract term runs from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027 with options to extend, but not to exceed, a total contract period of seven years.
With the start of these new contracts on October 1, 2024, the two current ALTCS-EPD health plans, Mercy Care and Banner University Family Care, will no longer be contracted to provide health care services to ALTCS-EPD members. Over the next 12 months, AHCCCS and its health plans will work to ensure that ALTCS-EPD members are smoothly transitioned to the new health plan of their choice. AHCCCS will also continuously evaluate the readiness of the awarded health plans prior to the contract start date.
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Save money and help a good cause every time you shop! We have partnered with Goodshop so that now you can feel great about your online shopping! Goodshop gives you the best coupons for thousands of stores like Target, Apple, Amazon, Petco and more AND a percentage of what you spend on virtually every purchase is donated to the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association! Plus, with the Goodshop app for iPhone and iPad, you can shop, save, and give on the go. While there also use Good Search when searching the internet. They pay us one cent for each search! Adds up quickly. Thank you!
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Did you know you can support nonprofit organizations in your community just by shopping at Fry's? It's easy when you enroll in Fry's Community Rewards! To get started, sign up with your V.I.P Card, then select the AZSCIA as your charity. Once you're enrolled, we'll earn rewards every time you shop and use your V.I.P Card! If you are already enrolled, all participants must re-enroll each year to continue earning rewards for their chosen organization. The Banner Wheelchairs Suns has retired, so you will have to change your charity. We hope you choose the AZ Spinal Cord Injury Association! Thank you to everyone for your continued support. Our # is 44739.
Click the link below to enroll today!
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Accessible Van Rentals Provided by the
Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association
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Have an upcoming trip or need a van for a big group event? Consider renting out one of our accessible vans for your event or trip! They have a manual ramp, fits two chairs, and three able-bodied individuals. The ramp swings out for easy access and has a lowered floor.
If you need more information on renting a van, please contact Guillermo Zeledon at 602-507-4209, extension # 1
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The AZSCIA is always looking to give back to our community. We will work with you to arrange pick-ups of larger items such as beds, exercise equipment, or other durable medical equipment. If it is something smaller, please feel free to stop by anytime and drop them off. We are open 9 AM to 5 PM, M- F. We love seeing the support and you can be sure that what you give is put back into the hands of those who need it.
Our donation specialist Guillermo Zeledon is available at 602-507-4209 ext#1. He will be happy to assist you with any questions or pick-up concerns you may have!
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*Accessible Van donated from community member and given to this family in need* | |
We are now on Instagram! Follow us @azscia. There, we will post about current events, community stories, and more! | |
Follow Us on Social Media! | | | | |
