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UNITED SPINALASSOCIATION’Slife beyond wheelsPerson of the Year:Andrea Dalzellnewmobility.comJAN 2021 4
a special thanks tothose who supportPLATINUMGOLDSILVERBRONZEEXECUTIVEfullc olorb l ackwhitePREMIERFor more information on how you can support United Spinal and become a corporate member,please contact Megan Lee at mlee@unitedspinal.org or 718/803-3782, ext. 7253.Acknowledgements on our website, in New Mobility, in United Spinal e-news or any other United Spinal publication should not beconsidered as endorsements of any product or service.
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CONTENTSIssue 327 - January 2021life beyond wheelsC O V E R S T O RYPERSON OF THE YEAR: 20ANDREA DALZELLAll Andrea Dalzell ever wanted was to be a hospital nurse.It took a global pandemic to provide that opportunity,but Dalzell fearlessly seized it and blazed a trail for otherwheelchair users to follow. For her tenacity, vision andpassion, we are honored to introduce Dalzell as our2020 New Mobility Person of the Year.Cover and Contents Photos by Stacy BE PhotographyF E AT U R E SD E PA R T M E N T S16 THE LAST BOOKSTORE Josh Spencer is4 BULLY PULPITproprietor of one of the nation’s largest and most interesting new-and-used bookstores. DAVID RADCLIFF chroniclesSpencer’s path from beach bum to business owner.27 WHEELS ON CAMPUS NMobilitysuveyed America’s top universities to find out which werebest for wheelchair users. Using that data, we compiled themost in-depth college guide ever written for our community.ew30 SWOLLEN JEWELS For TIM GILMER andmany other male wheelchair users, epididymitis — an infection affecting the testicles — is the uninvited guest thatkeeps coming back in a most sensitive place.5 BEHIND THE STORIES6 SHARE8 POSTS10 UNITED NEWS12 TECHNOLOGY14 HOW WE ROLL34 RESEARCH MATTERS37 ERVIN39 CLASSIFIEDS40 LAST WORD
BULLY PULPITlife beyond wheelsBy Ian RuderNEW MOBILITY IS THEMONTHLY MAGAZINE OFUNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATIONPRESIDENT & CEO: VINCENZO PISCOPOVP OF PUBLICATIONS: JEAN DOBBSEDITORIALPUBLISHER: JEAN DOBBSEXECUTIVE EDITOR: JOSIE BYZEKEDITOR: IAN RUDERASSOCIATE EDITOR: SETH MCBRIDEEDITOR EMERITUS: TIM GILMERSENIOR CORRESPONDENT: BOB VOGELCORRESPONDENT: AARON BROVERMANCUSTOMER SERVICEToll-free 800/404-2898, ext. 7203ADVERTISING SALES718/803-3782MANAGER, CORPORATE RELATIONS:MEGAN LEE, EXT. 7253AD MATERIALS: DEANNA FIKE, EXT. 7250PRODUCTIONPRODUCTION MANAGER: DEANNA FIKECIRCULATIONCIRCULATION MANAGER:BEVERLY SMITHPOSTMASTER: Send address changes to NewMobility, 120-34 Queens Blvd, #320, Kew GardensNY 11415. Subscription rates: 27.95/year; 35.95/year in Canada; 67.95/year international viaairmail. New Mobility (ISSN 1086-4741), Volume31, Issue 327, is published monthly by UnitedSpinal Association, 120-34 Queens Blvd, #320,Kew Gardens NY 11415. Copyright 2021, all rightsreserved. Reproduction without permission of anymaterial contained herein is strictly prohibited. Wewelcome comments; we reserve the right to editsubmissions.Periodicals postage paid at Flushing, NYand additional mailing W MOBILITYTHE FIRE RISESI am thrilled with the selection of AndreaDalzell as New Mobility’s Person of theYear. As Teal Sherer writes in this month’scover story, Dalzell’s story centers aroundmany of the events and issues that defined2020, and she is a compelling and tenaciousadvocate who embodies the best of ourcommunity.Honestly, as we assembled this issue andlooked back on the yearthat was, it struck methat she is too good for2020. A year as infamousas 2020 doesn’t deserveher or any of the othercandidates we considered. As I thought aboutit, I wondered: Who, orwhat, would be a betteremblem of the year wecan’t wait to forget?That’s when I discovered Dumpster FirePPE Edition. Scholars are still debating theorigins and etymology of “dumpster fire,”but according to NPR, Urban Dictionaryhad a working definition as early as 2008.Merriam-Webster was late to the partyas usual, but finally included the phrase inMarch 2018:Dumpster fire (noun, U.S. informal): anutterly calamitous or mismanaged situation oroccurrence: disaster.In the interim, an animated GIF of a fireraging in a large, blue dumpster captivatedthe hearts and minds of internet usersaround the world. The 2016 presidential election elevated the GIF to the rarememe-celebrity status reserved for all-timelegends like the Rickroll. Today the phrase iscommonly used and accepted. The New YorkTimes published it in a 2018 headline, and aquick search of FoxNews.com turns up 369mentions.Enter Dumpster Fire PPE Edition.The adorable anthropomorphic maskwearing dumpster is the progeny of TruckTorrence, a Los Angeles-based artist knownfor his cute, simple creations. Torrencegave birth to the original Dumpster Fire inGIF form in 2016 andhas spawned variousmerchandise and somenovel variations over thepast four years underhis brand, 100% Soft.Torrence introducedPPE — my nickname forDumpster Fire PPE Edition — early in 2020 inresponse to the pandemic.No, PPE is not aperson, and no, PPE doesn’t fit our criteria for the annual honor, but it does havewheels and is a proud proponent of wearinga mask — a key issue for our community.And seriously, I challenge you to come upwith anything — human or not — that betterembodies what we just went through.The only argument against PPE that I willeven deem worthy of addressing is that itis too cute for such a hellish year. And if I’mbeing honest, I can’t argue.PPE is too cute for 2020.But after all that we’ve endured, I thinkwe could all use a little cute in our lives.PPE may not be the hero we want, but aswe head into the unknown of 2021 andbeyond, it is the hero we need.If you’d like to own your own version ofPPE, or check out Torrence’s other creations,visit his site: 100soft.shop.
BEHIND THE STORIESWith Ian Ruderlife beyond wheelsCOLUMNISTSMAT BARTON JOSH BASILESHERI DENKENSOHN MIKE ERVINMIKE FRANZ BROOK MCCALLTEAL SHERER TODD STABELFELDTREVECA TORRES KATE WILLETTEKARY WRIGHTlife beyond wheelsWhen Teal Sherer wrote her first article for New Mobility backin 2007, she was an up-and-coming actor who wasn’t sure shesaw a future for herself in writing. Thirteen years later she hasan impressive acting resume, a regular column in our magazine and, as of this issue, her first published cover story. Whatchanged? “As I’ve gotten older, I feel like I have more I wantto say,” she says. “Writing gives me a great excuse to connectwith other people and take what I’ve learned and apply it.”The same wit and insight that made her hit series, My GimpyLife, so enjoyable brings her prose to life and results in a funread that gets below the surface of whatever she is covering.After a year in which Tim Gilmer didn’t author a single article for New Mobility, it feels good to have our editor emeritus back in our pages. His articles have been an intrinsicpart of our magazine since 2000, but he retired in 2018 andspent the last year assembling NM’s excellent college guide,Wheels on Campus. You’ll see what took him so long to return when you read an excerpt from the guide and then hisstory on epididymitis — a type of inflammation common inmen with SCI. When I asked him if it felt good to get backin the swing of the monthly magazine, he laughed. “I’m notquite swinging,” he said.David Radcliff will humbly tell you he is surviving the pandemic by keeping safe and busy, but his idea of busy may bemore extreme than most. A writer and producer, Radcliff ispushing the entertainment industry for more accurate andvisible representation of disability and diversity. In additionto writing for season one of ABC’s The Rookie and workingon a yet-to-be-released Netflix series from President BarackObama and First Lady Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions, he serves in the Inclusion & Equity Group at theWriters Guild of America, West, the Think Tank for Inclusionand Equity, and is a board member for the Los Angeles chapter of the New Leaders Council. Keep your eyes peeled for a top-secret project he’s developing built on his own material.CONTRIBUTORSKIM ANDERSON CHRISTIAAN BAILEYLAWRENCE CARTER-LONGMICHAEL COLLINS RORY COOPERDEBORAH DAVIS JENNIFER FRENCHALEX GHENIS RICHARD HOLICKYGARY KARP PAULA LARSONREGAN LINTON LILLY LONGSHOREKATE MATELAN BEN MATTLINASHLEY LYN OLSON KENNY SALVINIERIC STAMPFLI MITCH TEPPERANTHONY TUSLER KIRK WILLIAMSCORY LEE WOODARDLOREN WORTHINGTONWEB PARTNERSBACKBONESCURB FREE WITH CORY LEEROLLIN’ RNSROOTED IN RIGHTSSPINALPEDIASPIN THE GLOBEFEATURED WEB PARTNER:SPINALpedia is a social mentoring network and video archivethat allows the spinal cord injurycommunity to motivate each otherwith the knowledge and triumphsgained from individual experiences.spinalpedia.comUNITED SPINAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS:unitedspinal.org/our-storyPlease send queries, manuscripts or feedback to Ian Ruder: iruder@unitedspinal.orgJANUARY 20215
SHAREOCTOBER 2020‘Return to Accessible Travel’Mask Up: Though I won’t be flyinguntil there is an approved vaccine,road trips are still fairly safe, if youcarefully follow CDC guidelines. Maskup, social distance, frequently washhands and sanitize hard surfaces.Michael GilbertFacebookBe Careful: The travel issue is verygood, and certainly reinforces my ownconservative views on the matter,which are those of a 75-year old malewith a C3 spinal cord injury: You cannot be careful enough!Richard Addison DeyNewmobility.com‘American Airlines Denies Accessto Power Wheelchair User’Avoid Regional Airlines: I’m very sorry this happened to John. He’s certainlyan experienced and responsible traveler.I’ve been planning trips for persons withdisabilities since 1992. When a clienthas a large power chair and lives neara regional airport, I highly recommendthat they drive to a larger airport wherethey can fly on a large aircraft. Usingregional airports often means havingtheir wheelchair dismantled in order tofit into the hold and this is where majordamage can occur. Especially whencrew attempts to put the pieces backtogether. While I do not have a largepower chair, I still avoid American Eagle[regional airline] like the plague!Debra Kerper, Easy Access TravelNewmobility.com6NEW MOBILITYUNITED SPINALASSOCIATION’S“You cannot becareful enough!”CAN WETRAVELYET?life beyond wheelsNot Their Problem: My worstexperiences flying have been withAmerican Airlines. They seem to havea “not my problem” attitude that iswritten into their policy. It makes it sothe customer service agents on theground can’t do much for disabledpassengers.Emily McQueenInstagramnewmobility.comOCT 2020 4A Simple Solution: Simply let peoplestay in their wheelchair with dignity.Stow an aircraft seat. This eliminatesboarding, disembarkation, and connection delays. It serves all passengersbetter together, more profitable toairlines — saves fuel by pushing tomake up time from leaving gate late.Wheelchairs are not luggage!Mark E. FellingNewmobility.comEditor’s Note: As of November,American Airlines has revised itspolicy to allow for the weight of mostpower wheelchairs. See wheelchair-weight-limitpolicy/for more details.‘Embracing Power’Lose-Lose: My shoulders are killingme after 18 years in a manual, but I’mtoo scared of getting lazy and fat in apower chair. So you sacrifice shoulderproblems for health issues like obesity.Damn, it’s a lose-lose.Max MillioneTwitterFull-On Power: Add me to the listof reluctant manual users who finallywent to full-on power about 10 yearsago. Repeated rotator cuff tears andsurgeries helped, but my surgeonfinally just said, “Look, I’ve been tellingyou for years, but now, you’ve absolutely got to get motorized — I can’tdo any more for that shoulder.” I wasbummed (I’m a para since birth), butnow I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner!Jacquie TellalianNewmobility.comOptions are Good: I’m 67 and havebeen a manual chair user since ’88 andhad to reluctantly opt for the power assist ( 7,000, too, yikes!!). Since I was stillworking, Medicare and my insurancesaid “OK.” It’s nice to have the option ofboth. I can still throw my wheelchair inthe van and my shoulders feel much lesspain. I typically use the SmartDrive forlong hauls down equally long hallways,or hauling grandkids around the yard.It’s nice to have the option.Tom McNallyNewmobility.comCorrection: NM inadvertently referredto the SmartDrive as the Smart Wheelin the October issue.
UNITED SPINALASSOCIATION’SAdapted Esports Equipment Repair A Great RomanceThe Pandemic:Struggle, Resilience andUnexpected Giftslife beyond wheelsFALL 2020Wheels on CampusIn November, NM released its free digital guide to wheelchair-friendly colleges,Wheels on Campus. See page 27 for an excerpt, and visit newmobility.com/wheels-on-campus to view the digital edition or download the PDF. Join the conversation about the guide (excerpted below) on Facebook.Almost makes me wish I was startingmy college career over — almost!Kathy M. SticeFROM NEW MOBILITY MAGAZINE AND UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATIONWHEELS CAMPUSonA GUIDE TO WHEELCHAIR-FRIENDLY HIGHER EDUCATIONlife beyond wheelsnewmobility.comNOV 2020 4I graduated from Fashion Instituteof Technology in 1985. The schoolwas accessible, with elevators andramps, but I struggled more with thepeople. It was a different generationfor the disabled — glad to see a lotof inclusion on these campuses!Laurie Perlongo ZappullaNOVEMBER 2020‘Life in 2020’I Relate: I love the touching coverphotograph! Kudos to Anthony forstepping up to the plate, for being a realdad in a real-world situation. He’s metthe challenge many parents face, whilenot letting his own challenges slow himdown one bit in his love for Mya.Mary Ellen PataroKent, New YorkTop Marks: Excellent edition this month.Well done and important. Thank you.Richard O. Salsgiver, Professor EmeritusCalifornia State University, Fresno‘How to Get Your Old Equipment Running Like New’Size Matters: Going from a 4-inch toa 5-inch caster only increases dump byhalf an inch, not the full inch of difference. Half of the difference is below theaxle where it increases front-end height.The other half is above the axle. Don’task me how I learned that.Toby PottsNewmobility.comI graduated from Michigan StateUniversity. The campus is wheelchair-friendly, and the community isinclusive. The MSU Resource Centerfor Persons with Disabilities is awesome at making sure every Spartanhas what they need to succeed.Katie FeirerI graduated in 1971 from UNLV. Mostof my classes were on the secondfloor. No elevator. My wife was a fierceadvocate and managed to get an external elevator installed. At the time, I wasonly wheelchair student, and therewas one professor in a chair.Billy Lee SharkeyUNLV is an excellent school forstudents with disabilities. Campus istotally accessible, including the gymand pool in the Wellness Center.The university also has a wonderfulDisability Resource Center. Friendlyatmosphere, and all of Las Vegas is verydisability-friendly. . Billy Lee Sharkey,we really appreciate your story andyour wife being such an incredible advocate. Every major change has a firststep. You and your wife made that step.Your service is paying forward morethan you can imagine. Thank you.Protect People with Disabilities“Wish I’d known thisinformation 20 yearsago.”— Dave RileyEvery college should be wheelchairfriendly in this day and age.Shirley KologinczakThat’s depressing. Edinboro University (Pennsylvania) used to beranked pretty high in terms of accessibility. It’s not even on this list.Keith PiskurI am shocked that Ohio State University is not included in the top 10 or20; I know they work hard to supportand include disabled students.Bob TaylorEditor: Bob Taylor, we plan to expandthe guide and will reach out to OhioState again. Many fine schools wereunable to respond to us, due to theupheaval of the pandemic.JANUARY 20217
POSTSPower Chair Innovators Honored in Time and Popular ScienceW AT C HPower wheelchair users will never drive off a hidden curb or crashbecause of an out-of-control chair if the innovative designers at LUCIget their way. Time magazine recognized LUCI’s sensor-based mountable hardware for power chairs as one of the 100 Best Inventions of2020 and Popular Science deemed it the Best of What’s New in 2020.LUCI’s system mounts between the power base and seat and “combines data from cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radar into a single,360-degree view of the world, giving riders unprecedented independence and safety,” according to a press release announcing the honor.LUCI CEO Barry Dean designed the product with the needs of hisdaughter, a powerwheelchair user, inmind. “This is anincredible honor,and one we wouldhave never considered when mybrother Jered andI started tinkeringwith my daughter’s wheelchair inthe kitchen threeyears ago,” saidDean. “The mostLUCI’s sensors and cameras could keep power chair usersexciting part offrom flying off curbs or crashing.being included inthis list is havingthe opportunity to bring more attention and, hopefully, innovation tothe world of power wheelchair users.”The product is already in use in five states and will be offered in clinicsacross the country as early as next month. See Time’s full list at time.com/collection/best-inventions-2020, or learn more about LUCI at luci.com.8Replace the Blue Button With Your PhoneDana Jones got the idea for Accessadoor whileshe was stuck inside a building because shecouldn’t hit the automatic door opener. Jonescalled a friend to come let her out. Whileshe was waiting, she thought, “I justused my phone to get help, whycan’t I use it to open the door?”Enter Accessadoor, a simpleretrofit insert that can beinstalled onto any door thatalready features push-buttonaccess. The device takes aboutfive minutes to install and runs offthe power in the button. Once the unitis installed, anyone who has downloaded theAccessadoor app can open the door simply byopening the app on their phone.Jones and the team at Accessador are working to get the word out to colleges, hospitalsystems and others. Until they are more readilyavailable, it’s worth asking your favorite almostaccessible establishment to install a device.Accessadoor is taking preorders now, and at 99.95, “it’s not going to break anybody’s bank,”says Jones. “It’s kind of a no-brainer.” For moreinfo, check out: accessadoor.comMEDIA ACCESS AWARDS: CRIP CAMP AND ITS PRODUCER JAMES LEBRECHT WERE AMONG THE HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES HONORED NOV. 19 AT THE 2020 MEDIA ACCESS AWARDS. HOSTED VIRTUALLY BY PRODUCER, MODEL ANDACTOR NYLE DIMARCO, THE 2020 CEREMONY RECOGNIZED INDIVIDUALS, SERIES AND FILMS THAT HAVE REDEFINEDON-SCREEN REPRESENTATION FOR THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY, WHILE ADVANCING THE PORTRAYAL AND EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN HOLLYWOOD. NETFLIX HIT AWAY ACTOR DANNY J. GOMEZ AND WRITER RAMYYOUSSEF ALSO WON AWARDS. THE ENTIRE SHOW IS AVAILABLE AT MEDIAACCESSAWARDS2020.COM, ALONG WITHTHE SECOND ANNUAL DISABILITY LIST, A CURATED LIST OF THE MOST PROMISING UNPRODUCED SCRIPTS FEATURINGAT LEAST ONE LEAD CHARACTER WITH A DISABILITY.NEW MOBILITY
On the Road AgainFinding the accessible RV of yourdreams is easier than ever with thelaunch of Winnebago Industries’Accessibility Enhanced RV Line. Builtaround two new class A models — the35-foot, diesel-powered Inspire AE andthe 31-foot Adventurer 30T AE — thesenew motorhomes include revised floorplans and adaptations to approximately40% of their features.The new floor plans reflect the designelements most commonly requested bycustomers with accessibility needs overthe last four decades, including expanded hallway and bathroom areas, accessible controls for lights and RV systems, and remote controls for the wheelchair liftand door. The Inspire also features factory-installed wheelchair tie-downs.Winnebago has been building one-offs and custom vehicles for over 40years, but standardizing the accessibility features translates to measurable consumer savings and more readily available vehicles, according to Jennifer Butters,the director of Winnebago’s Specialty Vehicle Division. The 2021 Inspire AEstarts at 299,000, while the comparable 2020 model started at 357,000.The AE vehicles will be available on the lot at La Mesa RV locationsaround the country, sparing would-be owners the eight to 12-monthwait to purchase a custom vehicle. “This year we have seen a drasticchange in the way people vacation, and with RV travel on the rise,La Mesa RV wants to provide model options to all of our customers across the country, including those with mobility limitations,” saidLa Mesa RV President Jason Kimbrell. “We are excited to work withWinnebago and enable more people to experience the joys of traveling witha modified, accessible RV and very little wait time.”For more information about Winnebago Specialty Vehicles, dP L AYIF THE SLY SMILE ON WENDI “WHEELS”BURNER’S FACE IS ANY INDICATION, YOUDON’T WANT TO MESS WITH HER ON THEBASKETBALL COURT. WITH A SLICK SPORTSCHAIR AND A MEAN HANDLE, WHEELS ISONE OF NINE “BALLERS” YOU CAN CHOOSEFOR YOUR 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL TEAM IN THENEW BOARD GAME HOOP GODZ. THANKSTO ITS FAST-PACED, FUN TAKE ON A SPORTTHAT HAS STRUGGLED TO TRANSLATE TOTHE BOARD GAME ARENA, HOOP GODZ BLEWPAST IT’S KICKSTARTER FUNDRAISING GOALWITH OVER 47,000 RAISED.THE GAME IS IN PRODUCTION NOW, BUT YOUCAN MANAGE YOUR OWN TEAM TO TEST ITOUT ON TABLETOPIA AT . KEEP TABS ON THE GAME’S DEVELOPMENT AT KICKSTARTER.COM/PROJECTS/OMARIAKIL/HOOP-GODZ.Where We’re Going, We Do(n’t) Need Wheelchairs!Michael J. Fox has been to the future, the past and pretty much anywhere you canthink of in the entertainment world, but none of his journeys prepared him for theexperience of travelling as a wheelchair user. In his new memoir, No Time Like theFuture, Fox, who has lived with Parkinson’s disease for 30 years, writes:“Often in the wheelchair, I’m luggage. I’m not expected to say much. Justsit still. No one listens to luggage. It can be a frustrating and isolating experience, allowing someone else to determine the direction I’m going and the rateof speed I can travel. The pusher is in charge. From the point of view of theoccupant of the chair, it’s a world of asses and elbows. No one can hear me. Tocompensate, I raise my voice and suddenly feel like Joan Crawford in What EverHappened to Baby Jane?, barking out orders.”The memoir, Fox’s fourth, focuses on reconciling his energetic advocacy andoptimism with the often harsh physical and emotional realities he is facing. In aNovember profile, New York Times reporter Lisabeth Egan summed up his perspective thusly: “He used to be a believer in making lemonade out of lemons,but now, he writes, ‘Screw it — I’m out of the lemonade business.’”Read Egan’s profile at nyti.ms/3pre8mH, or buy Fox’s book, No Time Like theFuture, via online retailers.FACTS & FIGURES 80.5 to 134.2 million: The estimatedrange of the total annual economic impactof adapted and para sport-related tourismevents nationwide.— Based on a survey sent to 262 organizationsbetween July 28 and Sept. 22, 2020 by All In SportConsulting, in partnership with Stitch MarketingResearch and Huddle Up Group. The full report isavailable for download at adaptedsportlabs.com/labs2020-session-recordings (see “Economic Impact ofthe Adapted Sport Industry” presentation).JANUARY 20219
MEMBER BENEFITSunitedspinal.orgUnited Spinal Association is dedicated to enhancing the quality oflife of all people living with spinalcord injuries and disorders (SCI/D)by providing programs and servicesthat maximize independence andenable people to be active in theircommunities.BENEFITS INCLUDE:Personalized Advice and GuidancePeer SupportNEWS FROM UNITED SPINALSTAY CONNECTED WITHVIRTUAL SOCIAL HOURSJust because you are stuck at home during the pandemic doesn’t mean you can’tmeet new people and get your socialization on. United Spinal Association is committed to helping people with SCI/D connect for peer support, meeting up virtually orjust finding ways to take breaks from the daily, socially-isolated grind.United Spinal’s Resource Center maintains an up-to-date list of daily virtual sup-Advocacy and Public Policyport groups and social gatherings offered by United Spinal chapters. After seeing theVeterans Benefits Counselingresources, started hosting a weekly social hour on Zoom every Thursday at 1 p.m.Accessibility AdvocacyLocal ChaptersNew Mobility magazinedemand for online get-togethers, Lindsey Elliott, United Spinal’s director for memberEastern Time. The weekly gatherings, which began in September, offer attendees achance to meet new people, catch up with old friends and chat about whatever is ontheir minds with fellow community members. There is no agenda.Informative and EducationalPublicationsOngoing Educational WebinarsMembership in United SpinalAssociation is free and open toall individuals who are living withSCI/D, their family members,friends, and healthcare providers. Visit unitedspinal.org or call800/962-9629.United Spinal has over 70 years ofexperience educating and empowering individuals with SCI/D toachieve and maintain the highestlevels of independence, health andpersonal fulfillment. We have 50 local chapters and 190 supportgroups nationwide, connectingour members to their peers andfostering an expansive grassrootsnetwork that enriches lives.10NEW MOBILITYElliott added an 8 p.m. ET social hour to accommodate west coast participants,and says the groups usually draw five to 10 participants. “We certainly have ourregulars that come every week now,” says Elliott. “It’s helped our members connectwith each other regularly. I hope we can continue to spread the word about it andthat more folks will feel comfortable joining us.”If your chapter or support group hosts an online gathering, or you would like tobe included on United Spinal’s page, contact Elliott at lelliott@unitedspinal.org. Tosee the listings or register to attend one of United Spinal’s Social Hours, visit unitedspinal.org/events-usa.
RIBGRIPSHANDRIM COVERSAvailable from RibGrips559/372-3243 or RibGrips.comA wheelchair handrim cover designed by a quadriplegic veteran, RibGrips are made with ergonomic/responsive soft rib discs that increase performanceand decrease fatigue. RibGrips’ unique material offerslongevity and 360 degrees of grip.You can say goodbye to gloves and calluses and helloto a whole new level of hairs“GO-ANYWHERE”“GO-ANYWHERE” ChairsT h eT hSea fSea, fPer, aPcrtai ccat il c a la n da nCdo nCvoennvi e n itewn ta yw at oy t oThe Safe,travt rPracticaleal vwe lh ewrheevandreervaeConvenientnr da n dhewnheevnwherevereervyeor uy owuaandnwta. n t .way towtravelwheneveryou want.No Nmoo rmeowr eo rwr ioer sr i easb oaubto u tJustIh a vworrieshi anvgi nagc caboutaecscsei bshavingsl ei b l eNo moref a cfi al ict i leist i. e s .accessible irsChairsAw tractV797D DifferentDifferentmodelsmodelsto meetto meet Different models to meet specificspecificspecificneeds!needs!needs! SimpleSimpleto assemble;to assemble;no notoolsrequired.required. Simple to toolsassemble;no tools SafeSafeand andeasyeasyto use.to use.required. SeatSeatand andfootrestfootrestheightsheights Safe and easytoadjustable.use.are adjustable.are otal-lock” Seat andheightsarebrakes.brakes.adjustable. LightweightLightweightand t-gradeaircraft-grade Casters have“total-lock”brakes.aluminum.aluminum. Lightweightanddurable,high-quality Compact,Compact,convenient,convenient,and andaircraft-gradealuminum.PORTABLE!PORTABLE! Won’tWon’tRustRustor corrode;or corrode; Compact,convenient,andeasyeasyto clean.to clean.PORTABLE! VirtuallyVirtuallymaintenancemaintenance Won’t Rustorfree.corrode; easy to clean.free. CushionsCushionsare availableare availablein in Virtually maintenance-free.(3) colors(3) colorsand andremoveremovefor cleaning.for cleaning. Cushionseasilyareeasilyavailablein (3) colors OptionalOptionalaccessoriesand :wheeledwheeledcustomcustom Optional positioningwheeled ,and andupgradedupgradedtray, ns!cushions!30-DayRisk-FreeTrial-30180For Home AND On-The-Road;WhenGottaGo,Go,WeWe GoGo WithWhen e-road;on-the-road;WhenWhenya Gottaya GottaGo,Go,WeWeGo GoWithWithYa!”Ya!”For home AND on-the-road;For home AND on-the-road;When ya GottaGo, We Go re.com800-359-4021For .GoesAnywhere.com Sales@GoesAnywhere.com 800-359-4021w.goesanywhere.com Sales@goesanywhere.comSales@goesanywhere.com ywhere.com Sales@goesanywhere.com 800-359-4021JANUARY 202111
TODD AGAINST THE MACHINEBy Todd StabelfeldtCAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?Because I have so many things I can’tphysically do, I’m thankful that I’ve gotmy hearing and voice to help me outand fully embrace both to maximizemy productivity and independence.Being heard is important to everyone,but, as a high quad, my life can dependon my ability to make my needsknown. So, it’s the practical “stayingalive” aspects that drive me to securethe most effective microphones,speakers and headset for my needs.Much like the way I se
life beyond wheels. UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION’S . Person of the Year: Andrea Dalzell. For more information on how you can support United Spinal and become a corporate member, please contact Megan Lee at mlee@unitedspinal.org or 718/803-3782, e
