The Climb of a Lifetime

 

Matt Takes Mount Kilimanjaro Matt Castelluccio holds United Spinal’s flag near the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Matt Castelluccio, a wheelchair user and CEO of United Spinal Association, flew to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with a team led by Accessibility Accelerator to show that “impossible” usually just means “unsupported.” He made it to 19,000 feet! Altitude exposure forced the team to turn around a few hundred feet shy of the summit sign, but Castelluccio says the trip was never really about reaching the summit. What got him through seven days of eight-hour hikes on rocky trails, freezing nights, inaccessible camps, a commode over a bucket and catheterizing on the side of the trail was a combination of perseverance, adaptability, resourcefulness and community. Together, they allowed him to break the mountain into one challenge at a time. The challenges continued on the way home when the airline broke his wheelchair's front caster. A makeshift repair got him to JFK. At United Spinal, we understand that unforeseen challenges are a reality for wheelchair users wherever they live, whether they're on a mountain, in the airport, at work or at home. That's why we're here. Your support makes our work possible. Chapter Network to Collaborate with Meta Arielle Rausin, United Spinal's Director of Chapter and Hospital Networks Thanks to a grant from Meta, United Spinal members will use AI-powered glasses to document accessibility barriers in parks, trails, playgrounds and other recreational spaces. Hands-free technology allows wheelchair users to capture photos and videos easily and safely. Documented barriers and personal stories will be collected and shared with local parks departments and public officials to support ADA compliance. Five United Spinal chapters — Nebraska, El Paso, Michigan, Boston and Minnesota — will participate in this initiative. Follow us on social media to hear about their experiences. Give a Gift, Get Our 2027 Calendar. As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we're honoring our past while looking ahead: expanding programs and accessibility for wheelchair users. Gifts of $30 or more qualify you to receive our 2027 United Spinal wall calendar, mailed later this year as our special thank you. Support our mission. Coming Soon: Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month is recognized each September. We want to hear about your experience living with or supporting someone with a SCI/D. We encourage you to respond to this email reflecting on the following questions: What do you wish you knew when you were first injured? What is the biggest change you want to see for the disability community? What do you wish non-disabled people understood about having a SCI? Also, join our next Newly Injured Spinal Cord Injury Support Group on September 21 at 6 pm ET. Register here. Social Media Spotlight During the summer months, wheelchair users have taken to social media to share products and hacks that help them access the water. One popular video showcased a waterproof electric chair lift that can make transferring into a kayak a little easier. Check out two more cool ways to get in and out of the water in the latest New Mobility article. Celebrating our Accessibility Services Team After four years of planning and construction, the Buffalo Bills unveiled their state-of-the-art Highmark Stadium. United Spinal's Accessibility Services program was instrumental in coordinating the accessibility features and ensuring it is built up to code. Highmark is already being acclaimed for being the most accessible NFL stadium in the nation and it far surpasses the standards set by the American with Disabilities Act. United Spinal board member, David Capozzi, joined members of the disability community on August 24th to tour the facility and test out the accessibility features. United Spinal board member, David Capozzi, center, pictured with his wife, Patti Capozzi and father, Richard Capozzi. Sponsored Content Save the date for the 2026 Disability-Owned Business Convening, happening October 21-22. This is the national gathering for disabled business owners, advocates and allies. Expect two days of focused sessions, strategic networking and resources built around economic inclusion. Sponsored by Verizon. Learn more and register. Wandercraft's self-balancing personal exoskeleton Eve is FDA-cleared for adults living with SCI at any level, so you can stand up and walk hands-free, no crutches or walker, in the presence of a trained companion. Eve officially launches September 17 at 6 pm ET — watch live and request a demo. Timing matters for adaptive recreation. People are far more likely to get into adaptive sports when the opportunity shows up at the right moment — but nobody has good data on when that moment is or what makes it possible. The Kelly Brush Foundation is running a research study to find out, and the more responses it gets, the stronger the findings. If you have an acquired physical disability or mobility impairment, please take the survey. Events Get connected with our free virtual events! Join the conversation — there's something for everyone. Click for more information and to register: • Active Project Live • Advocacy Live • Empowering Parental Caregivers • Resource Center Live • Aging with a Disability • Newly Injured Spinal Cord Injury Support Group • Rolling With Pride • Social Hour • Walking Rollers • Work Readiness Program • Women with MS Connect  View All Events