United Spinal Association Newsletter

 

We Are the Faces of Medicaid   For many members of our community, it feels like everything might be on the line. Our members explain what’s at stake in the looming decisions about the benefits and programs that sustain us in this revealing roundup of Medicaid Stories. Add your voice. Defend our healthcare. Share your story. This is no time for red or blue tinted glasses Looking for a deeper analysis of the political situation? What’s behind these threats to Medicaid—and where are they coming from? Our new thinkpiece breaks down the bigger picture beyond partisan narratives. The time to come together as a community is now, and this is a great starting place for a shared conversation across the aisle about our universal interests. Defend Disability Rights: Support the Advocacy Impact Fund The fight to defend our historic gains as a community has only begun. Fired up to make a difference? Help United Spinal fight back against cuts to programs like Medicaid, as well as attacks on disability rights. Support our newly-launched Advocacy Impact Fund. Accessibility and independence are at stake. This fund will fight discriminatory policies and empower individuals with disabilities to advocate for themselves. We are gathering our forces, but we can’t reach the finish line without your support. Make a donation today and share widely on social media. We are Ready to Roll – Spread the Word about Disaster Relief for Wheelchair Users Natural disasters continue to ramp up in 2025, and United Spinal is here to help. This year, we have housed members of our community, helped replace wheelchairs, covered evacuation costs, and provided the necessities of everyday life for those who have lost everything. And we’re prepared to do it again, as floods, tornadoes, and wildfires wreak havoc across the country. We know that wheelchair users are the most badly affected by these catastrophes. And we want every member of our community to know that we can provide direct financial assistance to disaster survivors. Spread the word about our life-changing grant program. NEW OFFERINGS Our Disability Product Guide Will Make Your Day Easier Looking for the perfect product to make your life easier? Do you have one you’d like to recommend? Visit our new crowd-sourced Tech Access Product page. MARC Network Partnership Delivers Mobile App Dedicated to Building Community We are proud to announce our nonprofit partnership with the MARC Network, which is paying positive dividends to you, our community. Download and dive into the MARC Network app today to make new connections and discover in-depth resources, including a thriving events calendar. There’s even more in store for this partnership in 2025—learn more. ADVOCACY AND POLICY Save Critical Spinal Cord Injury Research Program at the Department of Defense The Spinal Cord Injury Research Program has been completely defunded. Learn more about the pathbreaking accomplishments of SCIRP—they affect all of us. 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 University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute Survey Help us make vehicles easier to use for everyone! The survey is open to adults with disabilities who travel as drivers or passengers in vehicles. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT–NEW SERIES ANNOUNCEMENT Entrepreneurial Journey from Concept to Creation will equip aspiring entrepreneurs with practical skills, resources, and a strong network, helping them launch and grow sustainable businesses. Each week sequentially covers foundational skills and knowledge. Fill out the application to join or learn more here. 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 April 7 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 April 15 at 1pm 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 April 16 at 1pm ET. Walking Rollers This group is for all our semi-ambulatory part-time wheelchair users. Group meets every 4th Monday of the month. The next meeting is April 28 at 7 PM 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 April 2 at 6pm 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 April 8 at 7pm 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 April 23 at 7pm ET. Resource Center Live Come join our Resource Center team to have your questions answered live. The next meeting is April 23 at 4pm ET. VIEW ALL UPCOMING EVENTS

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