United Spinal Association

 

Recovering from a Disaster Is Within Reach Thanks to Ready to Roll United Spinal Association’s Ready to Roll program is a unique and steadfast force for support for wheelchair users caught in natural disasters.   Grant recipients around the country were gracious enough to tell their stories of loss and renewal after wildfires and hurricanes. Share this powerful feature-length compilation and help us raise awareness of our grants so we can help support more natural disaster survivors.   With hurricane season looming, we need to get the word out now. Please help us make sure that everyone in the line of fire has information about our disaster relief grant program for when trouble strikes. That’s not all. Our Emergency Preparedness Working Group has just rolled out an exhaustive new guide to generators to demystify the basics of this key tool to weather any storm and learn how to make your very own generator affordable. Medicaid Alert: Keep the Pressure High   New Medicaid Stories have rolled out. Have you shared yours yet? Please contact your member of Congress as the budget saga unfolds. There is so much at stake, and it can feel like we have everything to lose. That means we must fight back with everything we’ve got.   As the old saying goes, nothing about us, without us. The Advocacy Impact Fund Builds the Movement to Defend Our Services With your support, we’re rising to meet the moment. We must build our staff, army of advocates, events, and digital infrastructure.   United Spinal ’s Advocacy Impact Fund increases our capacity to protect disability rights and empower our members to speak up and lead. Accessibility. Independence. Equity. They’re all on the line. Want to make a bigger impact? Start your own fundraiser by clicking “Fundraise” on our page and rally your network to the cause. Every voice and dollar helps us push back stronger and go further.   Everyone who launches a personal fundraiser will receive a “Support Disability Rights” bumper sticker—plus your choice of a United Spinal T-shirt or travel mug—as thanks. We can’t cross the finish line without you. Donate, create a fundraiser, and share the message. The time to act is now. NEW PODCAST Don’t Miss the M.A.R.C. Network x United Spinal Podcast, Stronger Together! Every other Tuesday, our VP of Community Support, Matt Castelluccio, joins M.A.R.C. Network founder and Boston Marathon bombing survivor, Marc Fucarile, for a can’t miss podcast. “I’m excited to be part of a new podcast that brings together people with disabilities from across the country to share resources, exchange information, and spotlight individuals in our community who are doing extraordinary things,” says Matt. “It’s all about connection, empowerment, and celebrating our shared experiences.” Learn more about our partnership with the M.A.R.C. Network here. ADVOCACY AND POLICY BREAKING: Leaks Indicate Possible Drastic New Cuts to Disability Services We’ve become aware of the possible elimination of additional critical disability programs and services. If true, we are deeply concerned about this proposal. We are monitoring the situation closely. Read more on our Policy Watch page. Save Critical Spinal Cord Injury Research Program at the Department of Defense The Spinal Cord Injury Research Program has been completely defunded. Take action now to save critical research and development investments that advance the treatment and management of SCI for military service members, their families, veterans, as well as all individuals living with SCI. TAKE ACTION CHECK THESE OUT

Social Hour Take a little break from the daily grind. Join us every Thursday at 1pm ET for a social hour via Zoom to connect with others from our local chapters, support groups, and peer mentoring networks. Register here. Rolling Through Parenthood This group is a safe place to share information, advice and resources. Benefit from the experiences of your peers who are living with a disability and are adjusting to parenthood. The group meets every first Monday of the month. Join us May 5 at 7pm ET. Advocacy Live Join the Rolling Revolution Come join and collaborate with other advocates the 3rd Tuesday of every month – alternating times at 1pm ET and 5pm ET. The next Advocacy Live is May 20 at 5pm ET. Employment Empowerment Resource Group These sessions showcase essential resources, insights, and practical strategies offered by our Employment Empowerment Resource Group. Members will learn how to build long-term career success. Meets 3rd Wednesday of each month. Our next meeting is May 21 at 1pm ET. Walking Rollers This group is for all our semi-ambulatory part-time wheelchair users. The group meets every fourth Monday of the month. The next meeting is on June 23 at 7pm ET. Empowering Parental Caregivers Calling all parents/guardians of children, adolescents, or young adults with spinal cord injuries or mobility disorders- if you are looking for a community that understands what you are going through, this group is for you! The next meeting is May 6 at 7pm ET. Rolling with Pride Want to meet other LGBTQIA wheelchair users from around the country? Now you can! All members of the LGBTQIA community who have disabilities — including our allies — are welcome. Rolling with Pride now meets the first Wednesday of every month. Our next meeting is May 7 at 6pm ET. Rolling Through Life: Aging with a Disability We created a space to discuss the privileges and challenges our community members face as they age. This group meets the 4th Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is May 28 at 7pm ET. Resource Center Live Come join our Resource Center team to have your questions answered live. The next meeting is May 28 at 4pm ET. VIEW ALL UPCOMING EVENTS

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