December 2012

Member E-Newsletter Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association

A Partner of Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

We’re on the Web!

www.azspinal.org

5025 E Washington St #110 Phoenix, AZ 85034 Phone: 602-507-4209 Fax: 602-507-4214 Toll-free: 888-889-2185 info@azspinal.org “A monthly update on the happenings and upcoming events in the Association and Community Partners.”

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Annual Membership Social Mixer AzSCIA is hosting its Annual Membership Social Mixer for all of its members and their families! This event will be held on December 8th, 2012 in the atrium of the Sports & Fitness Center 5031 E. Washington St, Phoenix, AZ from 4:00pm-7:00pm. This event is being held in conjunction with the Banner Wheelchair Suns Juniors Regional Basketball Tournament. There will be 10 teams from around the country competing here for ranking to go to Nationals! Games are both Saturday and Sunday! So come join us Saturday evening for some free food, refreshments, good company, and exciting games! Come out and show your support of the Association and the Juniors teams! Please RSVP by December 7th, 2012 so we know how much food to order! Feel free to email info@azspinal.org or call in to the office at 602-507-4209. Thanks, AzSCIA staff & Board

Flagstaff Support Group

When: Tuesday December 4th 2:00PM-3:30PM

Where: FMC Training Offices 1000 N Humphreys

Description: Northern Arizona support group takes place first Tuesday of the month, Facilitator: Russ Bull 928-779-4147

Men's Disability Issues Group

When: Thursday December 20th 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Where: Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 E. Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85034 (map)

Description for Men 18 and over, the third Thursday each month. Disability Empowerment Center, CLASSROOM B

Facilitator: Don Price 602-980-3232 or donp@abil.org

VOICE Annual Chili Cook-Off & Holiday Party When: Tuesday December 11th 11:30am-2:30pm

Where: LDS Church 4901 W. Union Hills Dr, Glendale, AZ

Description: West Valley cross disability support group, every second Tuesday of the month. This is the annual holiday party. For more information call or email Janene. Facilitator: Janene Werner, 602-814-9717 voicejw@yahoo.com or www.voice-az.com

Compass Support Group When: Friday December 21st 2:00pm-4:30pm Where: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N Granite Reef Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85257

Please contact Pauline Staples for more information at 480-628-3028 or plstaples@msn.com

Tucson Support Group When: Sunday, December 16th Time:TBA In 2012, the group will meet once a month on the last Monday of every month(always a possibility for change). The meetings will alternate between social meetings (which will include activities like bowling, coffee house, live music, go to the movies, etc.) and educational meetings (mobility, exercises fitness, urology, bowel care, etc.). The idea is to put people with SCI and their families in touch with others families who have had or are having similar life experiences. For details please contact Peter Hughes @ 520-579-0862 or email him at peter@azspinal.org

Women’s Support Group, Maricopa County When: Wednesday December 12th 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Where: Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 E. Washington St, Suite 110 Phoenix, AZ 85034 (map)

Contact Karen@azspinal.org for more information

Junior Suns Wheelchair Basketball Regional Tournament

Presented By: Banner Wheelchair Suns Basketball

Arizona Disabled Sports AZ Spinal Cord Injury Association

Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center Get ready for an exciting weekend filled with wheelchair basketball games! Youth battling it out for regional rankings to qualify for a spot at Nationals! These kids mean serious business when they come to play! If you haven’t seen a game yet, this is your time to come out and support all these young talented athletes who are showcasing what their teams got!! There are 10 teams coming from around the country to compete, so hop, drive, walk, or wheel over to catch the games! Date: December 8th-9th, 2012 Times: December 8th games start at 9:00am, with last game starting at 7:30pm. December 9th games start at 8:30am, with Championship game at 1:00pm. Location: Sports & Fitness Center 5031 E. Washington St, Phoenix, AZ Admission: Free!!!!!!!!!! Information: If you want any more information, or court times and the tournament bracket check out the Banner Wheelchair Suns website www.bannerwheelchairsuns.org or check out their Facebook page www.facebook.com/bannerwheelchairsuns !!!

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Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center For persons with Disabilities

www.spofit.org

Fitness Check out the website for all the different classes and programs they offer!

Sports Banner Wheelchair Suns Inner Program games: December 1st, 2012 10:00am-2:30pm

Banner Wheelchair Junior Suns Regional Tournament: December 8-9th, 2012

Upcoming Events SpoFit Family Game Night: December 21st, 2012 5:30-6:30pm 60 Second Showdown: December 6th, 2012 6:30-7:30pm

Also Check Out SpoFit’s Online Store!

Independent Living Class: Laughter and Yoga Come and enjoy some good laughs while exercising! Learn yoga while getting to laugh and chat with friends! Event is free and there is free transportation available to those who need it for the AM class only! Date: Tuesday December 11th Time: 10:00am-12:00pm Location: Disability Empowerment Center 5025 E. Washington St, Phoenix, AZ RSVP: To RSVP call Lyne at 602-296-0534. For transportation call Rosalie Perry 602-980-0286 or email rosaliep@abil.org.

9 ways to support the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association 1. Make an online Holiday Gift Donation today at www.azspinal.org, click on meet AzSCIA and then Donate. 2. Give through Payroll Deduction! Our partner Community Health Charities will arrange for automatic withdrawal at whatever amount you request. 3. Corporate sponsorship! Contact Tiffany@azspinal.org for more information. 4. Volunteer to help at an event or for a committee! Contact info@azspinal.org to volunteer. 5. Host your own Fundraiser with friends, family or the office. Contact 602-507-4209 if you need help organizing your fundraiser. 6. Make an In-Kind donation of goods and services. 7. Make a tax free donation using your IRA if you are 70 or older. 8. Most importantly spread the word about the organization! Make referrals to people you meet! The more we can help our consumers and partner with the community the better! 9. Follow us on Twitter—Arizona Spinal Cord @AzSCIA Or be our friend on Facebook—Spinal Cord Injury (Azscia) http://facebook.com/spinal.injury

Upcoming Events in Tucson

December 1st : Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

Location: UofA Recreation Center 1400 E. 6th Street, Tucson, AZ 85721

For more information and game times contact Peter Hughes at coachhughes50@hotmail.com or @ 520-579-0862

December 8-9th: Quad Rugby Tournament

Location: UofA Recreation Center 1400 E. 6th Street, Tucson, AZ 85721

For more information and game times contact Peter Hughes at coachhughes50@hotmail.com or @ 520-579-0862

December 15th: Tucson Lobos Tournament

Location: 2160 N. 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ

For more information and game times contact Peter Hughes at coachhughes50@hotmail.com or @ 520-579-0862

December 16th: Tucson Support Group

Location:TBA

This month’s meeting has changed dates to December 16th and there is a possibility of doing a picnic and going to the zoo. Keep in touch for follow up information or feel free to contact the person listed below.

For more information on this event contact Peter Hughes at coachhughes50@hotmail.com or @ 520-579-0862

Arizona Disabled Sports Sponsored Events 4th Annual Run, Walk & Roll Date: January 5th, 2013 Location: Temp Beach Park Get up, get out and exercise! This is a great event for all ages and abilities! Event includes a 5K, 10K, 1 mile fitness walk, and 0.5 mile kids fun run!! Just $25 to register! Visit www.RunWalkRollAZ.com to register or volunteer for the event.

Arizona Paralympic Experience: Track, Field & Archery Date: January 19th, 2013 Location: Mesa High School 1630 E. Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ Time: 8:00am-12:00pm For more information check out www.arizonadisabledsports.com

Upcoming Events & Calendar for Arizona Bridge to

Independent Living

Empowering People with Disabilities for Over 30 Years!

Independent Living and Advocacy by, and for, People with Disabilities!

Check out our partner ABIL’s website for more upcoming events and classes!

www.abil.org

Special Recognition!

AzSCIA Executive Director Paul Mortensen honored as AzSAE 2012 Executive Director of the Year!

On Friday September 21st, 2012 the Executive Director of the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association, Paul Mortensen, accepted the award of Executive Director of 2012 from the Arizona Society of Association Executives. This is a professional development organization that includes over 60 nonprofits and associations across the state. Mortensen was selected by a committee of his peers after being nominated by a staff member for his tireless commitment to the paralysis community throughout his twelve years as the Executive Director. He was honored at the Annual AzSAE Awards dinner in the presence of his family and several board members. Mortensen is thrilled to have been selected and he looks forward to continuing in his role as Executive Director.

ARE YOU A MOTHER WITH A PHYSICAL DISABILITY? DO YOU HAVE AT LEAST ONE CHILD 3 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER? Through the Looking Glass and The National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families is conducting a national survey of mothers with physical disabilities who have at least one child 36 months of age or younger. You must be 18 years of age or older. Eligible participants who complete the survey will have a chance to win a $250 gift certificate. The Deadline for completing the survey is DECEMBER 17, 2012. Most mothers – with or without disabilities – get some help from others in caring for their child. Occasional or regular assistance may come from a spouse, partner, older child, relative, friend, neighbor or paid assistant. Some assistance may be limited only to certain tasks, while other assistance may cover a wide range of child care. There is very little research to find out how mothers with physical disabilities manage routine child care tasks. Are certain child care tasks more challenging because of a physical disability? How satisfied are mothers with physical disabilities about the kind and amount of child care assistance they are getting? Is it enough? Too much? This survey is anonymous. No names or other identifying information will be asked. If you are a mother with a disability who has at least one child 36 months of age or younger, please go to this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TZSMWZ5 If you prefer, you can request a survey be mailed to you. Call us (800-644-2666) or send us your name and address, and we will mail you the survey along with a prepaid return envelope. Send to: Through the Looking Glass 3075 Adeline Street, Suite 120 Berkeley, CA 94703 More Questions? You can go to our website www.lookingglass.org and you can also look over our FAQ page regarding this study on our website: www.lookingglass.org Or, you can call us or email us:1-800-644-2666 ext. 8176 or survey@lookingglass.org Thank you, Through the Looking Glass The National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families 2198 Sixth Street, Suite 100 Berkeley, CA 94710

Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association Transportation Services

AZSCIA provides transportation to consumers 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. It is available for every need, from doctor’s visits to going to the grocery store or just needing a ride to an outing with family & friends. Our drivers are well trained in defensive driving,

wheelchair lift equipment, CPR, First Aid, and van operations. Our rates are extremely competitive and we will transport anywhere in the State… and with adequate notice we can

transport anywhere in the US. Family members and caregivers ride free with the consumer!

For further information contact Michael J. Bruning, Transportation Manager, at 602-703-2199 or send a detailed

request to bruning4@msn.com. You can also call the Office of AZSCIA at 602-507-4209 or toll free

at 888-889-2185

Classified Ads & Advertisement Equipment: Wonder Pole with trapeze $50: contact Phil Sweeterman for more information at 623-465-8131 Ricon Electric Personal Wheelchair Lift for Van $500: contact Phil Sweeterman for more information at 623-465-8131

Sandy Pieper Hand Painted Collage & Mixed Media Artist Sandy’s art is a collection of mixed media including textures, papers, graffiti, acrylic and oil paints. The multi-step process used in creating her art is what shows up on the canvas full of life and movement. The love of bright colors and whimsical themes that life presents every day comes thru. From the layers of mediums to the naming of the piece it all works together to make a complete vision.

You can contact Sandy Pieper on her website www.sandypieper.com or by phone 480-239-4881.

You can purchase already made art or have her create something new and special for yourself or as a gift!

Upcoming e-news information…… If there is anything that you would like to share with your fellow members, please contact Tiffany Wilkinson (Tiffany@azspinal.org). She will ensure that the information will be posted on the e-news.

Go to www.azspinal.org and click on Get Involved to find our calendar of events and browse the website to gather any information necessary! If you want an ad and/or any events added to our monthly newsletter contact/email Tiffany Wilkinson tiffany@azspinal.org! Thanks, AZSCIA staff

More Information & Resources can be found on these websites and organizations in the community! The National Spinal Cord Injury Association www.spinalcord.org

Arizona Governor’s Council on Head and Spinal Injuries www.azheadspine.org

Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona www.biaaz.org