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

COUNTDOWN TO SKILLS FOR LIFE 7!

Countdown Clock
October 2024 Newsletter

Faces of ESFL

Meet Our Hands Free Parenting Panel

in our October Spotlight

On October 2nd, 12 ESFL community members participated as panelists (and moderator) for the first Hands Free Parenting episode in our upcoming two-part series. This was a recorded roundtable discussion aimed to educate and support parents who are living without both hands or more. Our panelists and moderator spanned the globe- two different countries, 11 different states, but all came with individualized expertise, helpful tips, and recommended products or gadgets. This is an incredible resource to our community, presently and in the future! Scroll down to find the YouTube link (make sure to stay tuned for a part two!) and in the meantime, meet our panelists and moderator here.


*Know someone we should highlight? Please email and introduce us!

Message from the Executive Director

Hello Everyone!


We are one year away from Skills for Life 7! It is one of the most rewarding experiences in my life and I hope in yours, too. If you haven't attended before, there are some great videos and information on our YouTube and website. Please share with anyone you think might be interested in attending, volunteering, or sponsoring the event.


I also want to thank our sponsors, many of whom have helped make Skills for Life possible for years. TIRR Memorial Herman is our Champion Sponsor. In addition to financial support that helps provide scholarships and program content, they also share their staff's time. We would also like to thank Handspring, Open Bionics, Ottobock, Point Design and Sepsis Alliance for their support. It is incredible to see the variety of organizations that come together to enrich our attendee's lives.

Disability Employment Awareness Month

"America’s economy is stronger when every American has an opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully." is the heart of the proclamation declaring October Disability Awareness Month. This is also the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was part of a shift to opening more opportunities to all. Clearly, that work is not complete. We are hard at work identifying resources and information that improves workplace accessibility. If you have questions or suggestions, please let us know.

Andy's Rock & Bowl Fundraiser

Andy was inspired by attending Skills for Life & Ronnie's bowling tournament. He wanted to make sure that finances are never a barrier for others who want to join in the learning and connection. I am forever grateful to Andy for his creativity and for knocking on doors to make this event such an incredible experience. The funding he provides is life-changing for many living without hands/arms or all four limbs.


Scroll down for more details about how bowling and an Elvis impersonator make for a unique way to support people living without both hands or more.

Please keep scrolling for all of the latest ESFL news.

Warm regards,

News, Tips & Resources

Andy Mattox's Rock & Bowl Weekend

Attending Andy's Rock & Bowl weekend is quite the whirlwind! From Elvis, Prince, Elton John, MJ and Cher impersonators to 60 frames of bowling, he has created an experience like no other. We would like to thank the sponsors who donated products, services, food and cash to make the event an incredible success. Big thanks as always to the VFW Medina Post 5137 for hosting the two fabulous dinners! Andy increased his proceeds by more than $2,000 for a total of $34,481, ensuring that dozens of people will join us for Skills for Life 7 and other programs.

SAVE THE DATE FOR SFL 7!

The countdown clock is back!


ICYMI: Skills for Life 7 Bilateral Upper Limb Difference Workshop is taking place October 16-18, 2025 in Houston, TX. We'll be sharing updates over the next few months. There is truly nothing like it! If you have any barriers to attending, we do offer scholarships and are happy to talk through any mobility challenges, too.


We are super excited to share with you that Joyce Tyler, OT has joined our team as the Skills for Life 7 event planner. She will be working alongside SFL 7 Chair, Kristi Turner, OT to help plan an amazing 3-day experience for people living without both hands or more.


Stay tuned in November/December for the SFL 7 Workshop Registration link as well as the Discounted Hotel Reservation link!


Email us if you are interested in getting involved.

Calling All Sponsors & Exhibitors

Check out our Skills for Life 7 Prospectus, we would love to have you join us! Come show off your organization, company or products to a truly awesome and unique community! Your support helps us hold the workshop and supports our mission of bringing people who are living without both hands/arms or more together. Please make sure to visit the sponsors section of this newsletter and be sure to thank our sponsors.


This workshop only happens every three years so you don't want to miss this opportunity!

Cheer on our San Diego Triathlon Athletes!

This is our first time to participate as ESFL relay teams in the Challenged Athletes Foundation's (CAF) San Diego Triathlon Challenge (SDTC)! The event will take place November 3, 2025. We are supporting our ESFL community athletes with scholarships and have 4 relay teams of 3 and 1 athlete participating in all three events solo. Each challenged athlete is living without at least both hands/arms and some are living without all four limbs. Each team will have a swimmer (1/2 mile), biker (12.4 miles) and runner (3.1 miles). Our athletes are from 8 states and range from age 10 to 71 years old. We even have some ESFL staff participating as a relay team! We hope to make this an annual event so make sure to stay tuned for our call for athletes next summer! Please cheer on Team Cut Above, Team Tri2gether, Team De-Terminators, Team JDA, Team HP and Team ASKus@ESFL!


Special edition t-shirts were designed for our athletes and will be worn at the event to help spread the word about ESFL. Many family members, friends and supporters expressed interest in getting some merchandise too. Here is your chance to get a shirt or hoodie to show your support of ESFL! Sizes from Youth XS to Adult XXXL.

No Feet? No Worries. No Hands? No Problem.

Bonfire Merchandise Link

CAF Annual Grant Program 2024

Interested in being more active? The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) Grant Cycle is now open and closes in early November. If you have dreamt about an adaptive device for -- well, nearly anything sports-related -- apply for a grant. Please see the CAF Grant Website and Email CAF for more information.

Hands Free: Parenting Roundtable

We assembled an incredible panel of parents who shared their experiences as well as & tricks for parenting while living without both hands or more. From newborns to young adults, we covered successes and fears as well as resources and practical tips. The roundtable took place in early October. We are pleased to announce that the recording is now available on YouTube and will be linked from our website in the future as well. We plan to create a written version down the road. Stay tuned for this amazing resource and watch our ESFL social media for more information.

ESFL Skills Exchange Sunday:

Oct 27 at 6 pm Central

Join your host, Sam Matagi, for a "Skills Exchange Sunday" session on Sunday, October 27 at 6pm central/7pm eastern. This month's topic (by request) features swimming and how to go from landlubber to waterbaby. We are incredibly excited to announce that Paralympic swimmer Rudy Garcia-Tolson and Alan Voisard (you may remember him from the pool at SFL 6), both from Challenged Athletes Foundation will be presenting!


Use the below link to join the Zoom:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84630193213

JOIN SAM ON SUNDAY, Oct 27 @

6pm central/7pm eastern

THANK YOU TO OUR SKILLS FOR LIFE 7 SPONSORS!

Organizing Sponsor

Champion Sponsor

Upcoming Events & Programs (2025)

Feb

22-23

Ronnie Hindsman's 7th Annual Bowling Tournament


Come join Ronnie for a fun weekend of bowling, socializing, silent auction/raffle and tips & tricks for daily tasks. Scholarships available!

Website

Livingston, TX

Feb-Mar

26-1

American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists


Annual conference for O&P professionals.

Website

Atlanta, GA

Mar

19-21

Trent International Prosthetic Symposium (TIPS)


Event for professionals involved with upper limb prosthetics, rehabilitation and the management of upper extremity absence. 

Website

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Apr

9-12

Association of Children's Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics (ACPOC)


Conference covering pediatric musculoskeletal disorders as well as orthopedic and rehabilitative treatment of children.

Website

Dallas, TX

Jun

16-19

International Society of Prosthetics & Orthotics (ISPO) World Congress


Event for professionals involved in the support of persons in need of prosthetic, orthotic, mobility, and assistive devices.

Website

Stockholm, Sweden

Get Involved!


Thank you to those who contacted us about volunteering! We are still looking for help, so let us know if you have time, experience, resources, or referrals/connections to support:

  • Grant Writing
  • Board Membership
  • Strategic Planning Committees

ESFL Resources

Donate Today!

Meet Our Team

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. Please click the Venmo or PayPal donate buttons in this section to donate. 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. 

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