To empower, educate and connect people living without both arms or more |
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Meet Steve Burrow
in our May Spotlight
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This month we are spotlighting Steve Burrow. Steve lost all four limbs to Sepsis in February 2023. He has accomplished quite a lot over the last year and we can't wait to see what he accomplishes in the future!
Read more about Steve and what high flying plans he has in store to celebrate his 65th birthday on May 9th.
*Each month, we will highlight people in our community. Email and tell us whose story we should share!
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Message from the Executive Director | |
We hope everyone had a fantastic LLLDAM! I have personally been celebrating this month since 2010 when the Amputee Coalition named April National Limb Loss Awareness Month. Since then, it has gone global and many people request that their city or state build local awareness through official proclamations. Requesting a special day or proclamation is often as easy as checking the process on the state or city website and submitting is on your own. It has been incredible to watch this celebration grow and continue to raise critical awareness of the needs of the LLLD community. If you didn't see all the posts our staffer Kelsey created, scroll through our Facebook page for interesting facts and to meet wonderful people. | |
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Welcome Samoana Matagi
ESFL is pleased to welcome Samoana to our team as Online Programs Manager. Samoana (aka Sam, aka The No-Handed Bandit) lives in West Valley, UT, is an avid outdoorsman, former Paralympic snowboard competitor, dad to fur baby, Lola, world traveler, volunteer extraordinaire with Phoenix Burn Society and many other organizations. Sam graduated from Utah State with a degree in broadcast journalism. Sam was instrumental in getting ESFL off the ground in 2017 as an initial board member and created our amazing YouTube Channel. We can't thank him enough for all he has done behind the scenes and excited to have him joining us in an official capacity!
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Adaptive Equipment Catalog
The Hands Free Catalog has been viewed over 1,000 times. Viewers have been from all 50 US states as well as 20 different countries. Keep sharing this resource so those with bilateral upper limb difference know the catalog exists as well as that we, as an organization, exist. We also want to make sure the healthcare professionals who work with this population know this comprehensive resource is available.
For those living without both arms or four limbs, stay tuned to our Skills for Life FB Group this month for a fun gift card giveaway. We want to see photos or videos of our ESFL community using the adaptive equipment from the catalog.
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Last, but not least, Skills for Life 7 needs planning committee members and our Annual BOD Meeting is coming up in June! Keep scrolling for additional information/updates as well as more in depth details on the latest programs and resources from ESFL.
Warm regards,
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Latest News, Tips & Resources |
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Ukraine Action Summit & SFL Ukraine Zoom
ESFL hosted a zoom on April 24th to share the teams experience of their time in Ukraine. Click here or on the video thumbnail in this section to watch the recording.
Mike St Onge and Samoana Matagi went to Washington, DC April 12-16 for the Ukraine Action Summit.
Please take a moment to read Mike's VOA Story to learn more about his experience in Ukraine and his trip to DC for the Ukraine Action Summit. It is well worth the read!! ProTip: Use Chrome Browser and install the Google Translate Extension... the article automatically populates in English. With other browsers you may need to find alternate ways to translate.
Samoana also met with his local representatives in DC to share his personal experience from his recent trip to Ukraine in hopes of convincing lawmakers to support the funding package for Ukraine.
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Support ESFL's Mission
To support our mission, we have created a digital brochure that tells our story and highlights our community. Please take a minute to review it, and we invite you to share it with organizations and individuals who support non-profits like ours. Even better, copy us at info@enhancingskillsforlife.org to introduce us to your contact. And thank you!
Open a PDF version of the video in this section to learn more.
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Dralla Foundation Grant
We are so pleased to announce we were awarded a grant by the Dralla Foundation!
Enhancing Skills for Life will use Dralla Foundation funds to provide 2 scholarships to enable individuals living without arms or more to learn how to bowl at events that include bowlers with similar levels of limb difference. Scholarships will cover the cost of travel and the device that will make it possible to bowl; recipients will get to keep these devices for life. Click here to start your application.
This means in addition to providing a scholarship, will will also be able to provide a Texas Assistive Devices bowling attachment to a new bowler for both Ronnie and Andy’s bowling events!
If you have body-powered arms, you’ve always wanted to try bowling and also wanted to attend one of these bowling tournaments this is a great opportunity that we couldn’t offer before. Thanks to Dralla Foundation's support, we now can!
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Mark Your Calendars - Skills for Life 7!!
In case you missed the news last month, we are pleased to announce Skills for Life 7: Bilateral Upper Limb Difference Workshop will be taking place October 16-18, 2025. in Houston, TX.
Mark your calendars and make plans to join us! This event only happens every 3 years so you don't want to miss it. At our past few workshops, we had over 75 people living without both arms or all four limbs from all over the world attend. Even if you have come before, you have not seen it all, learned it all or met every person. Every workshop is different and you don't want to miss out on this life changing event.
Video recap from Skills for Life 6 to get you motivated to block off the dates.
Planning Committee
We are in need of volunteers for the planning committee, contact us today if you are interested in being part of the process. Planning will begin October 2024.
Website with basic information is available now, hotel info and reservation link coming soon. Stay tuned to this newsletter and our website over the coming months.
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Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 26 at 12pm mountain/1pm central. This month, Sam will be covering Home Improvement/DIY tips. We will be posting to our social media platforms as well.
Use the below link to join the Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97649737361
If you have an idea or request for a topic, please contact us!
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Home Improvement/
DIY Tips: May 26th @1pm central
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Upcoming Events & Programs |
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Camp NO LIMITS
Website
Various Cities/States
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Hanger Empowerfest
Website
Hollywood, FL
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3rd US Adaptive Open Golf Championship
Website
Newton, KS
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Amputee Coalition National Conference
Website
Atlanta, GA
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MEC Symposium
Website
Fredericton, NB, CANADA
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Andy Mattox's 2nd Annual Rock & Bowl Fundraiser
Website
Medina, OH
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Get Involved!
Thank you to those who contacted us over the past few months! We are still looking for help, so let us know if you have time, experience, resources, or referrals/connections with any of the below.
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Change a Life, Donate Today
The Skills for Life workshop was developed in 2002 with a specific focus on people living without both arms or more and the unique set of circumstances they face on a daily basis. The nonprofit was founded in 2017 to ensure we could continue supporting the members of our community with programs, events, resources, and connections. Please click the Venmo or PayPal donate buttons in this section to donate. PayPal allows you to donate via your account or with a credit card. Venmo requires you to have an account. Donations can also be made via check, payable to Enhancing Skills for Life, 16111 Park Center Dr, Houston, TX 77059.
Any and all donations, large or small, are greatly appreciated!
Enhancing Skills for Life, 501c3 Tax ID: 81-2619137.
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