Spinal Cord Injury Alberta

✨Our September peer newsletter is here!✨📰

Check it out online at: https://sci-ab.ca/peeriodicals/

✨Have a great long weekend! 😊

✨🚴🏼‍♀️The Glenrose Courage ride will take place on September 7th It will take place at Pigeon Lake, which supports the world-class rehabilitation healthcare at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. ✨🚴🏼‍♂️A 58.5K fondo, the Courage Ride invites cyclists from beginner to avid to share in a morning filled with cycling, inspiration, and motivation. ✨🚴🏾As part of your event registration, you’ll enjoy a light breakfast, rider swag, and a post-ride bite. ✨Fundraise individually or a join a team today! For more information or to sign up: https://glenrosefoundation.com/event/2024- courage-ride/

✨The 2024 begins today! Catch all the action on .sports and ✨ Shoutout to all of the amazing athletes representing Canada 🇨🇦 Especially the home grown talent from Alberta! 🙌 Cheers to .hnatty and for being the commentators for the games, looking forward to all the action! ✨

✨Details on ‘s upcoming empowerment course, “I am the Hero of my Story”:✨

HOW OFTEN DO YOU CATCH YOURSELF SAYING “I CAN’T”?

1. Never?

2. Once a week?

3. At least once a day?

4. Or to many times to count?

I use this fun analogy about me at physical therapy.. But let me take you back to me after being paralyzed. This I can’t mentality, my fears and insecurities consumed me. To be honest was more paralyzing than this chair I was sitting in.

🦸‍♂️ Have you ever felt not smart enough or good enough? 🤔 Saying “I can’t” to opportunities because of insecurities? Been there. But guess what? I’M ON A MISSION to CRUSH those mental roadblocks! One piece at a time!✨

✨Does this sound like a course for you? Send us a message or comment below if you would be interested in signing up! ✨

✨We are helping to spread the word to gauge interest for the upcoming course, let us know if you would be interested in signing up or getting more info! ✨This is a great way to break through limiting mindsets so you can rebuild your life after a spinal cord injury, spoken by someone who has lived through it and wants to give back to others so they can do the same!🙌✨

✨The Edmonton Peer Dinner will be tomorrow evening at 6pm.. RVSP if planning on attending!✨

As we reach the midway point of the year, we reflect on the incredible impact your generosity has had on the lives of those we serve at SCI-AB. Thanks to you, our clients have received the support they need to navigate the challenges of spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities.

But our work is far from over. As we continue our mid-year fundraising campaign, we ask for your continued support. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us provide vital services and programs that make a real and tangible difference in our clients’ lives.

Your contribution today can be the reason someone finds hope, strength, and a path forward. Together, we can ensure that every person who needs our help receives it.

Thank you for being a part of our community and for your ongoing commitment to making a difference.

To make a donation, please go to our website www.sci-ab.ca

-AB

Looking for a new podcast to check out? Add the “Mixed Crips” Podcast to
your rotation. Unfiltered talk about living life with a disability hosted by
Tash and Maria. They explore the intricacies of living life on wheels and
neurodivergence, along with a bevy of guests also with physical and/or
cognitive mixed abilities. Conversations range from awkward, challenging,
personal and intimate. Subjects range from public treatment,
misdiagnosis, employment, relationships, sexual preference, and much
more. The Mixed Crips believe the need for discussion will spread
awareness and create camaraderie.
Check it out here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3BVA1e9FKT4ApAqcWfd5Ev

I have been able to use this beach wheelchair twice now and I can’t say enough great things about it!! What a difference it
is for people who have mobility issues!! I am thrilled that this is available to use. And it’s free to rent! You just have to
provide an ID and a credit card.
-Best place to park is where the farmers market is on Fridays ( but obviously not when the market is on lol).
-Someone will need to push the wheelchair, you can’t use it independently. I took my electric wheelchair to our spot on the
beach and my friend pushed the beach wheelchair to our location. She also used it as a wagon to carry our beach stuff
(cooler, towels, etc) to the spot. Another win win.
-There are a few stairs to the office to sign out the wheelchair. And another step to where you pick up the wheelchair. But I
just got my girlfriend to get the paperwork and bring it to me to fill out, sign and give ID and credit card info. And I asked
them to bring out the wheelchair to the flat surface. They were happy to help and have someone use the chair! I was only
the second person to use it in the two years they have had them (there are two of them available).
-It’s more stable than you think! Sit back, relax and enjoy!
Hope this helps get more people out on the water! Again, having this wheelchair made my experience at Sylvan Lake so
wonderful, I have already returned because of the ease of enjoying the beach experience! - Rhonda

Thank you Rhonda for sharing!

✨Are you passionate about supporting persons with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities? ✨You would be the perfect addition to the team at Spinal Cord Injury Alberta! ✨We are currently looking to fill a variety of positions: a CAPCC Coordinator in Edmonton and an Indigenous Client coordinator ✨For more information, check out the join our team page on our website. We look forward to connecting with you! ✨

check out the listing online at:

www.sci-ab.ca/join-our-team/

Check out this awesome initiative out of New Brunswick!

Exciting news!

SCI-AB was chosen as a charity partner with Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink—a non-profit program that helps raise and match funds for local charities under the Calgary Shaw Charity Classic Foundation! This year, the tournament takes place between August 14 and 18, 2024 and you have until August 31st to make a life changing donation.

Your donation now has the power to go even further, with a 50% match – thanks to the generosity of Rogers Birdies for Kids with all funds benefiting children and youth with spinal cord injuries.

Together, let’s make a real difference in the world.

✨Say hello to our board of directors!👋

June 26th marked SCI-AB’s annual AGM. A few highlights from the meeting include our new board members: Bonnie Maguffee from Grande Prairie, Gerhardt (Geri) Redikop from Edmonton and Michelle Mather out of Calgary.

Check out our full list of board members here! https://sci-ab.ca/board-of-directors/

Our annual reports are now available on our website: https://sci-ab.ca/annual-report/

Only 3 days left to reserve your tickets for the upcoming BBQ in Edmonton on Saturday, August 3rd at Emily Murphy Park Site #1 from 10am-2pm! Tickets are free and can reserved here:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/spinal-cord-injury-alberta/events/edmonton-summer-bbq-party-2024/

The Calgary BBQ will take place on Sunday, August 11th from 11am-3pm at Glennfield Day Use Area C. ☀️Tickets for Calgary are available here:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/spinal-cord-injury-alberta/events/calgary-summer-bbq/

✨Thank you to our sponsors: Red Plaid Developments, Coloplast, Hollister, Home Health Store, and Permobil! Thank you for making the BBQs the best they can be! ✨

Looking forward to seeing you all there!🌭😋✨

Mobility Equipment Services are offering a FREE safety inspection!



Summer has arrived, and it’s the perfect time to ensure your mobility equipment is in top shape for the season ahead. Mobility Equipment Services is excited to offer a Free Tune-Up Inspection to all their valued customers!



What’s Included:

Battery Testing: Ensure your power supply is reliable.
Safety Inspection: Comprehensive check to keep you safe on the go.
Bearings & Brakes: Make sure your ride is smooth and stops on a dime.


This offer is available until July 31st, so don’t wait! Click the link below to book your slot and enjoy a worry-free spring and summer.



Click Here to Book Your Slot : https://www.mobilityequipmentservices.ca/contact-us

Thank you so much for keeping us all in tip-top rolling order!

📣 Mid-Year Fundraising Appeal 📣

Together, we can make a difference! 🌟

At SCI-AB, we are dedicated to supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Your generosity has the power to change lives. Every donation, big or small, helps us provide crucial services, resources, and support to those in need.

Your support means: 💪 Improved mobility and independence for SCI survivors ❤️ Enhanced quality of life and mental well-being 📚 Access to vital information and resources 👥 A strong and supportive community

Join us in our mission to empower and uplift. Your contribution is more than a donation—it’s a lifeline.

Donate today and be a part of the change! 💙

🔗 https://sci-ab.ca/donate/

A BIG thank-you to all the volunteers who committed their time on July 1 and July 2 to help make Spinal Cord Injury Alberta’s casino fundraiser such a success!

Casino fundraisers generate important funds in support of the work we do to empower people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities achieve independence and full community participation. We are so very grateful to each and every person who generously gave their time to support this year’s casino fundraiser - we couldn’t have done it without you!



-ab

🌟 Exciting Opportunity: Help Improve Accessibility at -Days and support tech! 🌟



🎉 Calling all Edmontonians! 🎉



Explore Edmonton is partnering with Click&Push Accessibility to enhance accessibility at KDays, Edmonton’s premier summer festival.



🔍 What’s Involved?





Download the ATLAS app from the app store (links below) and create an account
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/click-push-atlas/id1597318096

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clicknpush.mobile&pli=1

Follow on Instagram
Visit K-Days: Attend K-Days and explore the grounds.
Mark Barriers: Use the app to identify at least 5 accessibility barriers you encounter.
Share Feedback: Provide valuable feedback to improve accessibility using the share feedback feature on the app


🎟️ Free Tickets: We’re offering 10 free K-Days tickets to participants who join this initiative!



📸 Bonus Draw: As an extra incentive, anyone who reports 5 barriers will be entered into a draw for a $50 gift card to Manning Town Centre or South Common (sponsors: Cameron Development Corp.)



📧 Contact: For more information, reach out to Kendra Erhardt at [email protected].

😎✨Come and join us to cheer on our Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, July 23rd as they face off against the Nanaimo Nightowls! ✨
Tickets are only $5, contact [email protected] to reserve your spot today! 😁

✨For anyone in the Edmonton region who would like to check out adaptive water skiing this upcoming weekend!✨

Splash Adaptive is looking for Volunteers and Participants for the following dates:

Saturday, July 20 at Wizard Lake (3pm-7pm)
Sunday, July 21 at Eagle Valley (2pm-6pm)

If you are interested in Volunteering please call Rae-Lee at 403-561-7568

If you are interested in registering, please make sure you have an active WSWA Membership ($40)

Members Login: https://can.wsconnect.io/login/
New Members: https://can.wsconnect.io/join/

Once that step is completed, click “Other Events” find the date(s) you are interested in and click “Enter Now”

Hope to see you on the water soon! 😎

✨Our summer BBQs are coming up quick! Reserve your tickets today! 😎

✨Red Deer’s mayor Ken Johnston and members of city council recognized 24 groups and individuals at the 2024 Mayor’s Recognition Awards on June 19 at the Westerner Park Harvest Centre. Winners of the Community Builders Award included the one and only Gerald Kress! 🤩✨

“It’s an honour to be recognized like that. You can have all the skills and talent that you can have, but if you don’t use it, it’s useless. It just shows that when people have the ability to do something, and they do it, things happen. The award shows that, I think,” Kress said. Kress is the founder of Red Deer’s Wheelchair Rugby Club, which he started in 2023. He played a role in starting the Steel Wheels Rugby group in Edmonton and wanted to create a similar community opportunity when he moved to Red Deer. “It means everything. It’s not only physical health, it’s also mental health. The community in wheelchair rugby is just so incredible and it’s always super welcoming for all participants that come,” shared Brent Haase, vice-president of the club. Haase was one of the members who nominated Kress for the award. ✨

✨Thank you Gerry and crew for all you do to grow the community in Central Alberta!😎✨

Nordiq Alberta will be hosting their roller ski camp in Camrose again this year. It will run from July 26th to July 28th. There are options for day registration or a full weekend of skiing! Accessible accommodations can be booked at the Camrose casino for those staying the weekend. For more information or to register, please visit: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=35809&lan=1&cartlevel=

We're proud to share that SCI-AB has teamed up with Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink! This partnership means that your generosity will have an even greater impact, with up to a 50% match on donations, all dedicated to supporting children and youth with spinal cord injuries.

All administrative costs are covered by the tournament, meaning 100% of all donations go directly to SCI-AB

Every contribution counts towards making a meaningful difference in the lives of the youth we support.

Join us in spreading the word and supporting this incredible cause!

If you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of youth with a spinal cord injury or other physical disability, please call Peta at 587-742-3642 or check out our website and make a gift today.











RogersBirdiesForKidspresentedbyAltaLink

Seeking participants with a chronic traumatic injury (more than 3 months since injury) of the spinal cord with an injury level between C5 and T1 for a research study at the University of Alberta

We're excited to share that we'll be sending out our mid-year fundraising appeal soon! Your generosity helps us continue providing valuable services to our clients.

Every dollar raised makes a tangible impact in the lives of those we serve. Together, we can make a difference!

Stay tuned for more details and thank you for your ongoing support! 💖

-AB

😎✨The SCI-AB July Newsletter is live! Check it out here: https://sci-ab.ca/peeriodicals/