| Chapter Leadership Meeting 2026 | |
For the first time since 2023, United Spinal chapter leaders from across the country were together in one room. For two days, leaders swapped ideas and resources, worked on how the national organization and our chapters can support each other, and learned about adaptive fitness and recreation at Lakeshore Foundation’s world-class facility.
Thank you to Lakeshore Foundation for hosting us, to our sponsors, who made the meeting happen, and to our chapter leaders, who traveled across the country to join us and share their endless commitment to wheelchair users in their communities. | |
| Stronger Together in Nebraska | |
Before Nancy Berg and Diane Ulmer started the Nebraska chapter of United Spinal four years ago, they were on separate missions to create a community for people with spinal cord injuries in Nebraska. Berg, a wheelchair user, and Ulmer, an occupational therapist at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, both saw the need for connection and support. They teamed up after meeting through Berg’s Instagram page (@accessible402) and planned their collaboration.
“It was intimidating,” says Ulmer, vice president of the Nebraska chapter. “I had tried to start the chapter a couple of times and I was like, ‘oh, this is too much to do alone.’ Nancy was already trying to network people by having dinners and starting a women’s support group. Collectively it felt like, ‘oh wow, this is bigger than me now. We both have the same vision, let’s do it. Let’s jump in.’” Read more of their story. | |
| Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month | |
One of the most-asked questions in the spinal cord injury community is “What’s the best advice you wish someone had given you when you were injured?” New Mobility writers have been answering this question since the magazine’s founding in 1989. As we celebrate SCI Awareness Month, we thought it would be fun to dig through the archive and highlight some of the most memorable answers and advice shared in our stories. Like this advice, from Topher Downham (pictured), a C6-7 quad:
“Hang out with people who push you past your limits. A neighbor of mine was a seasoned para and would not let me just sit on my laurels, like how I couldn’t get into his truck. He would gently taunt me: ‘Oh the poor little quad,’ ‘I can’t do this.’”
“We figured it out together, eventually using a pillow on the ledge of his truck so I could transfer from my chair to the ledge, then up to the seat. He and I took long road trips together, and it was a blast.”
For more advice from Topher and other memorable answers, read here. | |
We went back to our roots in New York City last week and celebrated the legacy of United Spinal alongside staff, members and supporters. Wandercraft also showed a glimpse into the future and unveiled their new exoskeleton, Eve.
"United Spinal continues to drive the vision and mission set forth by four veterans 80 years ago. We want to make sure that all community members have the opportunity and support to define their own lives no matter what challenges they face," says Matt Castelluccio, CEO of United Spinal Association, in recognition of the organization's 80th anniversary. | |
| Please help us continue our mission for the years to come. Donate today. | |
| Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program | |
| If there was ever a right moment to invest in your business, it is now. United Spinal and National Disability Institute have partnered with Verizon to put free resources, coaching and community directly in your hands through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program. No cost. Click to sign up. | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment