Paaaarrrrtttaaaayyyy! We had an awesome anniversary Potluck.

Paaaarrrrtttaaaayyyy! We had an awesome anniversary Potluck with many members and their families. We celebrated  our 7 years together and project "Moving Forward!" It was a full house. :)

THANKS to all of our volunteers! 

Our volunteers help with set-up, serving, clean-up. They help members with their jackets, take food in and out of their transportation, and with carrying their plates & drinks to the table. It was fun. We couldn't do it without you. 

• Tracy with members and parents of the boy and girl scout troops.
• Occupational Therapy students (Debbie's class: Thanks to Carlie for organizing the students!)
• Judy for picking up cake and lasagna and kitchen duty
• Linda & Cheryl for clean up and kitchen duty
• Steve M. for taking pictures

Thanks to Interim Healthcare for providing the main course!

http://www.interimhealthcare.com/

We had our two groups of UW-Madison Physical Therapy students research fundraiser ideas and resources from the group. Please share your ideas via email or on the blog under these posts:

1. http://sci-madison.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-would-you-like-to-do-for.html
2. http://sci-madison.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-would-you-like-to-do-for-resource.html

We talked about our mission statement. Please post ideas you may have. This is what Marissa our youngest member wrote: "SMILES!"

YES, she wrote our mission statement should be "SMILES!"
Strengthening Many Individual Lives Every Second

My SMILES: Strengthening Many, Improving Lives, Enriching Support. What do you suggest?

Project Moving Forward includes opportunities to be part of our Action Teams! What Action Team do you want to be on? Each is linked with the teams' description and members.

• Finance
• Fundraising
• Public Relations
• Legal
• Planning

Thanks to the volunteers for our board.

What would you like to do for the resource flyer project?

We want to make a resources flyer for members. These are the two questions we have for you:

1.  What kind of resources do you need?

2.  What kind of resources do you want to help you?

Project team:

• PT Student's: Jessica, Brenna, Anna, & Erica
• Mark Laufenburg
• Monica K.

What would you like to do for fundraising?

We want to have a fundraiser. Ideas have included:

• dinner and silent auction (possible with another nonprofit organization and targeted for end of April)
• biathlon (possible with PT Students' project)
• obstacle course
• 5k
• Community Days (was somewhat successful. Tina organized with Dale K.)

We want answer to the following questions:

1.  What would it take to get you involved?

2.  What would it take to get you to invite others?

Project team:

• PT Student's: Lindsey, Lori, Theresa, Georgia
• Tina Mc.
• Aaron Backer
• Monica K. 
• Dale K. (mother of person with SCI and director of Foot Prints in the Sand nonprofit organization)

Madison Anniversary Party Pictures

Our Survey Results for 2012

Click here to see the results: http://sci-madison.org/MadisonSCI%20member%20survey.pdf

Survey! Please take!

Madison Spinal Cord Injury Group Member, 


Danielle, Kimberly and I are sending out the survey we put together for the Group one last time. Eight members have completed the survey and we are hoping for a little more participation. Not only will you be helping us as physical therapy students who spent a lot of time putting this survey together, but it will greatly benefit the Group. Please, take a couple of minutes and complete the survey before the end of January if you haven't done so already. 
Thank you. 
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JWHLB6B (survey is closed now)


Kimberly, Danielle and Kyle 

Jan 2012 Anniversary PARTY!!!

Monday, January 16th, 2012 - 5-6th year anniversary PARTY!!! 2011 was our 5th year... so we are celebrating both out with the old and in with the new! 


DME provider United Health came & discussed equipment options. 


Some pictures are on Facebook ... more to come.

Dec 2011 - Meeting

Thanks to Jason G. for showing us Dragon and the Access to Indepence Lab.  Thanks to Nick for showing us some hunting adaptations. Here is a link to pictures on FB

 http://www.accesstoind.org/index.html

Assistive Technology (AT)

Hands-on Technology

Assistive technology (AT) is equipment that helps a person function or perform activities of daily living and live more independently. Equipment can be big or small, complicated or simple but regardless of size is geared towards the individual's need(s).

The Loan Closet Program

The Loan Closet Program from Access to Independence maintains assistive technology equipment for both demonstrating and loaning so that  people with disabilities can try out equipment before buying.  All of our staff are trained and able to explain the various technology available and how it improves everyday life.  Most of our equipment is available to loan out for up to 3 weeks.

Link to available equipment in Wisconsin https://www.wisconsinat4all.com/welcome.aspx

November 2011 - Meeting Notes

A survey will be conducted by Dec 2011 to gather information for planning 2012 and 2013. I will be sending an email out with the draft survey that the PT students are working. Please respond to Danielle by Black Friday if you have comments on the language of the survey. We had Prof Judy Dewane visiting with the PT students. Thanks for coming Dr. Judy. and please come again! Our thanks to the PT students for taking on this project.

Prof. Martin and the ME students presented  their projects: a portable lift, an attachment to a stroller, an e-reader solution for limited finger and hand functionality, and the funicular stair lift. When the students sent their presentations, they will be forwarded through our yahoogroup for your perusal and feel free to send them input. We are invited to the final presentations. Prof. Martin will email me the details later. Our thanks to Prof. Martin and the ME students for welcoming our input.

There was a vote to move the meetings back to the 2nd Monday of the month for 2012. This will be the plan unless the facility does not have availability.

We want to welcome Danielle for attending her first time and thank Tina for volunteering to take over the member list.

PLEASE plan on our anniversary meeting January 16, 2012!

We are actually on Facebook now!

Until the group votes otherwise, this updates are happening on our website http://www.sci-madison.org/ and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sci.group.wi

With technology changes, perhaps the group will want to come back to here. Who know? This is a group effort!

Madison Spinal Cord Injury, Disease, and Paralysis Group: Adaptive Activities available... Handcycling for the NYC Marathon

Madison Spinal Cord Injury, Disease, and Paralysis Group: Adaptive Activities available... Handcycling for the NYC Marathon

Resources, Education, and "Stuff" for Spinal Cord Issues and Adaptive Recreation

I want to write a letter to President Obama about his priorities and how wheelchair and disabilities need to be included from conceptualization to the action plans and not as an after thought. Yes, let's consider green energy. We need to remember many people in wheelchairs need high quality vehicles. What do I mean by this? For example, can an electric car or alternative energy transportation be effective and safe while transporrting 300-600 lb wheelchairs? What are the issues around maintenance and costs. This is just one idea. What about yours? I have started the letter. I just need to finish it.

www.SCI-Madison.org: Adaptive Activities available...Free pontooning with MSCR

http://www.mscr.org/ - Madison School and Community Recreation

• FREE canoeing and pontoon boat rides!
• Fourth Sunday of the month: May 24, June 28, July 26, August 23, and September 24
• Times: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm (1&1/2 hr ride or paddle!)
• Where: Tenney Park (1500 Sherman Ave Madison)
• Arriving at least 15 minutes before departure time increases your chances of securing a spot on the boat or in a canoe!
• No registration necessary. First come-first served.

Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association

We are collaborating on the merger between the Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association www.spinalcordwi.org and Madison's SCI group.

We are planning to meet Sunday, June 7, at 1:30 p.m. at Johnson Creek area - Hi Way Harry's.

Here are the points to cover on the agenda:

• Introductions
• Discuss merging with NSCIA – Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter - www.spinalcordwi.org
• what it means
• what the benefits and concerns are for each separate location and the whole group
• what needs to be done yet
• who needs to do it?
• How do we communicate effectively?
• Next steps…
  

Are you tired of "Separate and Equal"?

When will we have universal and barrier free activities for all! "Separate and equal" activities for people with disabilities is fine but why shouldn't we be able to just do things together?

Why do many activities and fundraisers events for persons with disabilities don't actually include the people with disabilities? What do I mean?

Many fancy dinners, golf outings, or like events are busy raising awareness and fundraising, yet these participating events aren't fully accessbile or don't include people with disabilities! Yes, I am serious.

What do you think and what is your experience?

Adaptive Activities available... Handcycling for the NYC Marathon

AchillesLand: Madison Achilles at 2008 NYC Marathon

Madison Achilles at 2008 NYC Marathon

Handcyclist:

• Monica Kamal Finishing Time: 3:07:56 (6th female overall for handcycle division)

• Peter Greenwood Finishing Time: 3:15 ish (sorry I didn't get his true time, something in this area)

• Brad Dakan Finishing Time 3:27:30

• Dawn Ziegler Finishing Time 8:46:41 (our incredible athlete of the race!)

Runners:

• Kathy Ducat Finishing Time 6:01:11
• Jim Cunningham Finishing Time 5:04:58

Each of these athletes were doing their very first marathon, and very first NYC Marathon, with the exception of Mr. Pete (he's a veteran marathoner with 7 races and his 4th NYC)!

Topics and facilitators for 2009

What are the topics you would like to see at the 2009 meetings?

Who would like to be a facilitator for a topic and what month would you like to take?

IF you are confused please contact me via email or phone.

Thanks.

Monica