To empower, educate and connect people living without both arms or more |
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COUNTDOWN TO SKILLS FOR LIFE 7! | |
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Meet our Triathlon Relay Teams
in our November Spotlight
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On November 3rd, we sponsored 13 athletes from the Enhancing Skills for Life community to participate in the CAF San Diego Triathlon Challenge.
Each of our athletes are featured in this write up, learn more about everyone, here.
*Know someone we should highlight? Please email and introduce us!
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Message from the Executive Director | |
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Hello Everyone!
We are one year away from Skills for Life 7! It is one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. If you haven't joined us (or want to revisit that experience) there are great videos on the ESFL YouTube channel and stay tuned to our website for updates. Please share and post with anyone interested in attending, volunteering, or sponsoring the event.
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Caregiver Awareness Month
November marks National Caregivers Month. We're celebrating all of our caregivers (and the caring we all offer others) as well as acknowledging that it is a complex relationship for many of us. Like many things in life, talking about our experiences and learning about others is often the best way to enrich lives.
There are tons of great resources at the Caregiver Action Network and I highly recommend checking out our friend, Kristine Rawlinson's video out of Australia. It is powerful and pertinent no matter where you live.
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Giving Tuesday
With the holidays approaching, please mark your calendars for December 3rd, Giving Tuesday. It began in 2012 as a day to focus on doing good and has grown to be a global movement of generosity. Please consider showing your support by giving personally to Enhancing Skills for Life or by sharing our posts or encouraging others to donate.
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Happy Thanksgiving to our US friends and family. We are just so incredibly thankful for our ESFL community all over the world! | |
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Please keep scrolling for all of the latest ESFL news.
Warm regards,
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Skills for Life 7: Registration and Hotel Info
Skills for Life 7 Bilateral Upper Limb Difference Workshop is taking place October 16-18, 2025 in Houston, TX. We'll be sharing updates over the next few months, but if you have questions, reach out anytime. It is our mission to remove barriers, whether physical, financial or others, so we will be sharing our scholarship information, the workshop details and much more in early 2025. Reach out and email us anytime if you have any questions.
SFL 7 Workshop Registration
Please use the above link to register for SFL 7. Contact us with any questions.
Discounted Hotel Reservation
We say this every year, but we highly recommend booking your hotel now as you can always cancel closer to the event. We always sell out of rooms as the discounted rate so why not book now?
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Calling All SFL 7 Sponsors & Exhibitors
We need you to make Skills for Life 7 exceptional! This one-of-a-kind, personal gathering is unlike any other. SFL is exceptional because it is created with people living without hands or arms in mind. With connection high on our list, it highlights your organization as one that is committed to this unique community.
Check out the sponsorship and exhibiting details in our Skills for Life 7 Prospectus and let us know if you have any questions. Your support makes the workshop and so much more possible. Please make sure to visit the sponsors section of this newsletter and be sure to thank our sponsors.
This workshop only happens every three years so you don't want to miss this opportunity!
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San Diego Triathlon Recap
This is the first year that ESFL teams jumped into the Challenged Athletes Foundation's (CAF) San Diego Triathlon Challenge (SDTC)! On November 3, five teams traveled to run, bike and swim as part of SFL relay teams. Each team had a swimmer (1/2 mile), biker (12.4 miles) and runner (3.1 miles). Team HP was the exception, with Hector Picard, an experienced triathlete, handling all three events himself. Our athletes were from eight states and ranged in age from 10 to 71 years old. Each team had a unique identity, including Team Cut Above, Team Tri2gether, Team De-Terminators, Team JDA, Team HP and Team ASKus@ESFL. "Anytime we can build community makes our mission stronger," said Shawn Johnson, Executive Director. "And it is fun to demonstrate #nohandsnoproblem and #nofeetnoworries while we are at it! I am especially proud that we are supporting ESFL community athletes with scholarships." If you want to support the ESFL programs like this one, consider buying your own #NoHandsNoFeetNoProblem gear and show your love of these athletes year round. They are available in sizes from Youth XS to Adult XXXL. They take a couple weeks to ship, so plan ahead for holiday gifts!
Bonfire Merchandise Link
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Growing Up Hands Free: Parenting Roundtable
ICYMI, last month we assembled an incredible group of parents who shared insights and tips for parenting while living without both hands or more. Whether your baby is a newborn or a new graduate, we covered successes, fears and ways to handle it all.
We recorded this facilitated conversation, and you can listen or watch anytime. A written summary will soon join our website resources too. Stay tuned for updates!
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ESFL Skills Exchange Sunday:
AI, hurting or helping?
Nov 24 at 6 pm Central
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Join your host, Sam Matagi, for a special "Skills Exchange Sunday" session on Sunday, November 24 at 6pm central/7pm eastern. This months topic is especially timely. Olivia Keller, Public Policy Manager for Amputee Coalition will lead the discussion.
First, we'll share some of the most common and helpful AI tools. (Think ChatGPT).
Then, we'll talk about how people with disabilities may be affected. Can it help make life easier? Are we being represented? We'll have some special guests, but most of all we want you to join us and share your comments and wisdom.
Use the below link to join the Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84630193213
Recording of October Adapted Swimming Zoom, click here.
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JOIN SAM & OLIVIA ON SUNDAY, Nov 24 @
6pm central/7pm eastern
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THANK YOU TO OUR SKILLS FOR LIFE 7 SPONSORS! | | |
Upcoming Events & Programs (2025) |
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Ronnie Hindsman's 7th Annual Bowling Tournament
Come join Ronnie for a fun weekend of bowling, socializing, silent auction/raffle and tips & tricks for daily tasks. Scholarships available!
Website
Livingston, TX
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American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists
Annual conference for O&P professionals.
Website
Atlanta, GA
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Trent International Prosthetic Symposium (TIPS)
Event for professionals involved with upper limb prosthetics, rehabilitation and the management of upper extremity absence.
Website
Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Association of Children's Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics (ACPOC)
Conference covering pediatric musculoskeletal disorders as well as orthopedic and rehabilitative treatment of children.
Website
Dallas, TX
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International Society of Prosthetics & Orthotics (ISPO) World Congress
Event for professionals involved in the support of persons in need of prosthetic, orthotic, mobility, and assistive devices.
Website
Stockholm, Sweden
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Get Involved!
Thank you to those who contacted us about volunteering! We are always looking for help, so let us know if you have time, experience, resources, or referrals/connections to support:
- Grant Writing
- Board Membership
- Your Ideas!
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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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