~To empower, educate and connect those living without both arms or all four limbs. |
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{ February 2022 Newsletter } |
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Executive Director's Message
January and February have flown by, hard to believe March will be here tomorrow!
Ronnie's 4th annual bowling tournament fundraiser wrapped up a few weeks ago. He and the Livingston, TX community continue to out do themselves year every year! Keep reading below to hear how much was raised to benefit the Skills for Life community and see a few photos of all the fun!
Over the past few weeks, the Skills for Life 6 planning committee has shifted into second gear and even though the workshop is still 7 months away, it will be here before you know it! Lots of exciting sessions and activities planned! We also want to express appreciation for our sponsors because without them, we would not be able to hold this life changing triennial workshop. If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting, please make sure to read our Sponsor Section below. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to support this incredible community of folks.
Important literature on bilateral upper limb loss was recently published by one of our board members, Harold Sears, PhD. His article can be found in the April issue of JPO.
There are lots of other details included below so make sure to stay subscribed to these emails or keep checking back for additional updates on our website.
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Ronnie's Recap: Bowling With a Purpose
Ronnie held his 4th Annual Bowling Tournament February 12-13, 2021 and the Livingston, TX community did it again! Over $20,000 raised at his 4th annual bowling tournament. The money raised goes towards scholarships or programs for those missing both arms or all four limbs.
Since 2019, over $58,600 has been raised by Ronnie & his hometown. Ronnie started this fundraiser 4 years ago because he wanted to give back. He really wanted to make sure the workshops that have helped him over the last 14 years would continue to occur as well as help provide scholarships for those who may not be able to attend otherwise. Check out Facebook for more photos and videos of the event.
We have another really cool story to share, after last years tournament we found out the bowling adapter Ronnie uses was no longer being manufactured. The company who used to make it was incredibly supportive and willing to share the design in case we could find someone else to make it. We reached out to Texas Assistive Devices and Reactive Metals who said they said they were willing to take on the project. Thanks to Brittney Morgan, Johnnie Rouse, and his son Clint for making the seemingly impossible happen! This awesome team of folks arrived to Ronnie’s tournament with bowling adapters in hand for all the attendees to use!!!
We had EIGHT folks from our Skills for Life community traveling from all over the US to Livingston, TX! It was super cool to watch Ronnie, Billy, Kelly, Jason, Sam, Chrissy, JJ, Dawn, and James all bowling for a good cause!
Mark your calendars now and come join us for Ronnie's 5th annual tournament in Livingston, TX February 18-19, 2023!!
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Skills for Life 6 Latest Information
The Skills for Life Workshops are unique events dedicated to people who are living without both arms or all four limbs. The program is devoted specifically to this community. We look forward to having you join us in Houston, TX October 5-9, 2022 for our 20th Anniversary of this life changing event!!
Click here to see what previous attendees have to say about the Skills for Life Workshops!
FLIGHTS TO HOUSTON
We are now seven months away so it may be a good idea to start looking into airfare. Escape Houston is a great way to find cheap flights to Houston so we recommend following them on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, joining their Telegram channel or signing up for their newsletters. Even though the notifications may discuss traveling from Houston to another destination, the reverse itinerary between cities is typically the same fare.
SFL 6 & COVID
We are working on our COVID policies and have discussed the possibility of requiring either a negative test or proof of vaccination within 48-72 hours of arrival. The United States CDC also continues to recommend NIOSH approved masks for large indoor gatherings as of February 2022. We will continue to update you here in these newsletters as well as our website because things will likely change between now and October 2022.
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Skills for Life Program/Schedule
PROGRAM LAYOUT
PLEASE NOTE, there will NOT be a call for abstracts this year, but if you want to ensure a particular subject is addressed, please make sure to email us. We took your feedback from Skills for Life 5 and 5 1/2 as well as the zoom sessions we held over the last year. We have been keeping a detailed list and we are excited about how the SFL 6 Program is shaping up. We will have a dedicated block of time for Activities of Daily Living (ADL's) including dressing, bathing, toileting, grooming, meal preparation/eating, and adaptive equipment, etc, In addition to our sponsors sharing their latest updates, we will have discussions on pain management, return to work, trauma/coping, sex & intimacy, makerspace, congenital limb difference, and sepsis. We also hope to have a return of the OT/CP workshop as well.
AWESOME ACTIVITIES & ACTIVITY DAY
Look for an exciting boot camp opportunity with Hanger Clinic's Kevin Carroll and Cameron Clapp on Friday morning, October 7th. Additional info and details will be made available in the coming months. We are also looking forward to a swim clinic opportunity led by swim coaches from Challenged Athlete’s Foundation (CAF) on Saturday, October 8th.
The ever popular Activity Day will be back, bigger and better than ever! We will definitely have your favorites from years past like, Kids Korner, Adaptive Gaming with Warfighter Engaged, Biking, Swimming, Exercise Class, Art Class, Cooking Demo. There are many other fun possible opportunities in the works as well so stay tuned!
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SFL 6 Hotel & Registration Information
JW MARRIOTT RESERVATIONS
Our Skills for Life 6 Workshop will be held at the JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria, 5150 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056
*Cutoff reservation date is September 14, 2022
Pro Tip: Book now as you can always cancel later if you end up not being able to come.
REGISTRATION
Eventbrite registration link will open in March/April! Stay tuned to this newsletter and/or our website for the latest information. Once registration opens, you will use Eventbrite to guarantee your spot at Skills for Life. If you are a limb loss/limb different individual, remember your registration is free, but you will still need to complete the online process. All other registrations range from $150-$650.
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Scholarship Applications are now open!!
Limb loss individuals may apply for financial assistance to help offset their travel and lodging expenses (up to $1,000 USD) in order to attend a Skills for Life event or something similar. Applications will be processed in the order they were received. Someone from the scholarship committee will contact you within 24-48 hours of your application. Recipients will be notified with plenty of time to make travel arrangements. Travel will be reimbursed after receiving paid receipt and lodging will be paid directly to the hotel.
PLEASE NOTE: You will still need to register for the conference through Eventbrite (coming soon). Follow up emails and/or phone calls will be necessary, so make sure your contact information is accurate.
Click here or the button in this section to start your scholarship application. Please contact us with any questions.
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Become a Skills for Life 6 Sponsor/Exhibitor Today!
Thank You to TIRR Memorial Hermann (Platinum), Fillauer (Gold), Ossur (Bronze), Ottobock (Bronze), Point Designs (Exhibitor) and USISPO (Global Outreach) for their support of the upcoming SFL 6 Workshop! Our amazing sponsors can also be found at the end of this newsletter. We would love to add your company name to our list!
The Skills for Life workshop is only possible because of our generous sponsors, donors and exhibitors! We have many levels of sponsorship available so click on the application link or button in this section to learn more on how to get involved. Please consider becoming a sponsor or exhibitor at SFL 6 and contact us with any questions.
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Scholarship applications are starting to come in! The average costs for an attendee to come to the Skills for Life Workshop can run anywhere from $800-1400. Some individuals require a companion to accompany them and their airfare is not calculated into these costs. Our hope is to offset as much of the expenses for the limb loss individuals as possible so that finances are not a barrier for them to attend.
To donate, please click the button in this section. If you make a donation of $1,000 or higher, you will be recognized as a HERO LEVEL Sponsor in our monthly newsletters, our website, and the official SFL 6 program. Feel free to leave a note with your donation if sponsoring a particular individual or multiple individuals.
As a thank you for your support of our limb loss attendees, all donors will be recognized in the official SFL 6 program and receive a "SFL DONOR" ribbon/pin to proudly display at the workshop.
CLICK HERE to donate so that individuals missing both arms have the opportunity to attend this life changing event.
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Bilateral Upper Limb Loss Publication in the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics |
Harold Sears, PhD, a long time supporter and attendee of the Skills for Life Workshops as well as an ESFL board member has published his study titled: "A Small-Scale Survey of Bilateral Upper-Limb Loss Individuals." Many of our SFL 5 attendees participated in this important study back in 2018-2019. This publication will be useful not only for clinical guidance, but hopefully also to help guide the development of future prosthetic devices for those missing both arms. Thanks to everyone who participated and to Harold for getting this across the finish line! |
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Shawn Swanson Johnson, OT (co-chair)
Kristi Turner, OT (co-chair)
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Diane Atkins, OT
Nathalie Atkins
John Dombo
Zach Harvey, CP
Wendy Hill, OT
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Scott Hosie, CP
Danielle Melton, MD
Wayne Moorehead
Eric Nelson
Levin Sliker, PhD
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Fanny Schultea, CP
Kim Steele
Mike St Onge
Patricia Tully, OT
Peggy Turner, CTRS
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Mike St Onge, Chair
Jeff Mulvogue, Treasurer
Annae Jones, Secretary
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John Dombo
Harold Sears, PhD
Gerry Stark, CP
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Steve Kaestle
Karen Lundquist
Mara Herschbach
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Thank you Skills for Life 6 Sponsors! |
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Gold Sponsor & Repair Booth |
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Help us continue to provide meaningful connections! |
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Skills for Life 6 HERO Sponsors |
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Sponsor a Limb Loss Individual to attend the Skills for Life 6
Workshop today and your name or company logo will be placed here
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Scholarships
Limb loss individuals may apply for scholarships to attend Skills for Life workshops or other events where there are opportunities for face to face interaction with individuals missing at least both arms or all four limbs (Amputee Coalition National Conference, Quad Squad Muster, Camp No Limits, etc). Financial assistance requests need to be completed and submitted online. Please be as thorough as possible in your applications and provide good contact information as follow up emails or phone calls may be necessary. Please contact Kristi Turner with any questions.
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Change a Life, Donate Today
The Skills for Life workshop was developed 20 years ago with a specific focus on people missing both arms or all four limbs and the unique set of circumstances they face on a daily basis. Please consider donating so everyone who wants to has a chance to attend this life changing international event! To donate, please click the button in this section. If you make a donation of $950 or higher, you will be recognized as a HERO Sponsor at Skills for Life 6. Feel free to leave a note with your donation if sponsoring a particular individual or multiple individuals.
Any and all donations, large or small, are greatly appreciated! To show our appreciation, your name will be listed on our Skills for Life 6 website and in our Skills for Life Program!
Enhancing Skills for Life, 501c3 Tax ID: 81-2619137.
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ESFL is an AmazonSmile Charity
Consider choosing Enhancing Skills for Life as your 501c3 charity on AmazonSmile! When customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to Enhancing Skills for Life. When first visiting AmazonSmile, you will be prompted to select a charitable organization. Why not choose Enhancing Skills for Life? Click HERE to change your current AmazonSmile charity to ESFL today!
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Contact Us | 713-240-8336 | Email
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