| Celebrating our 80th Anniversary! | |
Our story began in 1946, when a group of paralyzed WWII veterans banded
together to lead a charge for greater civil rights and independence.
Our fight for the past 80 years has been to help our community thrive while making the world more accessible.
Our future is our community’s future: We’re working to make healthcare,
the built environment, technology and disability-specific knowledge and
resources more accessible for everyone.
We’re launching four initiatives to help move our community forward:
- Transform Healthcare for Wheelchair Users
- Connect Newly Injured Wheelchair Users with Needed Resources
- Make Accessibility Part of Good Design
- Make Disability Awareness Part of Organizational Culture
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| How to Take Beautiful Photos from a Wheelchair | |
Members from our Outdoor Recreation Working Group
reveal their secrets to capturing the perfect shot. Here is advice from
Scott M. Crawford who has Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.
How I Got the Photo: I was in
Savannah, Georgia, to participate in the Multiple Sclerosis Challenge
Walk. One morning, I saw this view of the Tybee Island lighthouse from
across a foggy bog just as the sun was rising. This morning, I had a
Nikon D700 with me. I propped my elbows on the arms of my wheelchair to
assist with the camera weight and got the shot. Other days I use a
monopod and tripod to stabilize the camera while I get the shot.
My History with Photography: I
started in college, working for the school newspaper and managing their
darkroom. Back then, we used black and white film and it would take all
weekend to develop and print just a few photographs.
My Advice: Never say “no” to
getting outside whenever you can. Bring your camera everywhere, because
you never know what opportunity may arise. Some of my best photos were
unplanned. I highly recommend cameras with GPS location mapping turned
on, it helps to later know exactly where you were when the photo was
taken. | |
Meet Felecia
"With Medicaid laws in Louisiana, you’re cut off if your income is over a
certain level. You’re basically having to choose between staying on
Medicaid and having your care or forfeiting your career in order to be
eligible,” says Felecia Woolens on our Meet an Advocate series.
She shared her experience as an attorney, disability advocate and United
Spinal board member with our Grassroots Advocacy Manager, Annie Streit.
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Annie: What are the top three issues that you would like to change?
Felecia:
I want to focus on changing Medicaid policies. We need more certainty
that we will have caretakers and adequate healthcare. Another big one
for me is accessible travel. I know United Spinal is doing some great
work with regard to this.
On my most recent trip, I had a layover in Atlanta and they almost
dropped me. I had to reach out and go through a grievance process with
that. I know a lot of my peers have experienced issues with traveling
with their wheelchairs. | |
Rolling Through Parenthood
Calling all wheelchair users who are parents — at any stage of the parenting journey!
Whether you’re thinking about starting a family, expecting a baby, or
already deep in the day-to-day of parenting, this group is for you.
Learn from one another, swap tips, celebrate wins, and find community
with people who truly get it.
The next meeting is March 2 at 1:00 pm ET. Email Lindsey Elliott at lelliott@unitedspinal.org with any questions or click here to register. | |
Support our New Beginning Backpack Initiative
These backpacks support people with new spinal injuries as they
transition from hospital to community living. Each one includes
accessibility guides, legal rights information, peer mentor connections,
New Mobility magazine, and tools for self-advocacy. They're more than
resources: they're lifelines.
Your donation funds these backpacks and puts them in the hands of those
who need them most. Help us celebrate 80 years of impact by sponsoring a
backpack today.
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As FIFA World Cup 26™ approaches, accessible places to stay are more important than ever. Airbnb Academy
invites you to a free webinar for the accessibility community, sharing
how hosting and showcasing your home’s accessibility features can create
welcoming stays—and new income opportunities. Join us on February 26 at 2 pm ET.
The University of Minnesota is
seeking women with spinal cord injuries/disorders, family members,
caregivers, healthcare providers and researchers for a 10-minute survey
to set key research priorities. To ensure the findings serve all women,
they are actively seeking participants from diverse backgrounds and
identities. Learn more & apply.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are conducting an online study
on fall prevention. Participation includes completing online surveys,
learning fall prevention strategies and participating in a group
discussion. Earn up to $180 for participating. Interested? E-mail: dpqol-fallprev@illinois.edu.
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) help people with disabilities live, work and participate in their communities. The Lead Center shares how DSP experience can lead to many career pathways! | | | |
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