The Neuro Assistance Foundation is proud to announce the return of the Golf-A-Thon fundraiser! This event is sneaking up quickly. The Golf-A-Thon will take place at the Hackberry Creek Country Club on August 3, 2020 from 7:00 AM until 6:00 PM.

This event keeps our golfers on their feet all day! The more they golf, the more we raise. The link below will provide more details about the event. Contact Kahnh if you would like to sign up to participate: [email protected]

https://secure.givelively.org/event/neuro-assistance-foundation/neuro-assistance-golf-a-thon-c8026f2c-fee7-4719-941c-580c7ae5b6c3/naf-golf-a-thon-charity-event

Our friend, Joy, is fundraising on a page of her own and has already surpassed her original goal. Help us raise more by donating to her page:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/neuro-assistance-foundation/neuro-assistance-golf-a-thon-c8026f2c-fee7-4719-941c-580c7ae5b6c3/joy-hetrick

Those serving the disabled community by acting as a caregiver are highly valued individuals. However, their job may at times leave them feeling exhausted. It's important to remember, in order to stay strong and healthy, we need to keep our caregivers strong and healthy. Be on the lookout for caregiver burnout. Is your caregiver tired? Experiencing weight gain or loss? Showing a lack of interest in usual hobbies and interests? If so, provide them encouragement. Work to find a back-up for a day or two to give your caregiver a break. And most of all, always remember to show your appreciation.

Wheelchair Accessible? Ask Google Maps...

On May 21, 2020, as part of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Google shared some updates to their platform:

"... imagine...being able to “know before you go” whether a destination is wheelchair accessible, just as effortlessly as looking up the address. People can now turn on an “Accessible Places” feature to have wheelchair accessibility information more prominently displayed in Google Maps. When Accessible Places is switched on, a wheelchair icon will indicate an accessible entrance and you’ll be able to see if a place has accessible seating, restrooms or parking. If it’s confirmed that a place does not have an accessible entrance, we’ll show that information on Maps as well".

You have to love technology! And the innovators who make these great things happen. Thank you, Google, for this great new tool.

2,900 Miles. 2 Months. All in a motorized wheelchair. Now, that's gumption.

Janne Kouri received a spinal cord injury in August 2006 after diving into a wave at the beach in California. Unfortunately, his dive ended a little too soon and he struck a shallow sand bar.

Janne was sho cked "when he was told that there was not a single progressive rehab center in the state of California...So, with the help of his family, friends, and the guiding influence of Dr. Susie Harkema - one of the neuroscientists who created Locomotor Training & enhanced Activity Based Therapy techniques, Janne and Susan decided to start NextStep".

J anne drove his "power wheelchair from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness and funds to support the 6 million individuals and wounded service members living with paralysis in the U.S." This is an amazing and inspiring feat! To read more about Janne and his journey visit either NextStepFitness.org or The Washington Post.

With COVID cases on the rise and continued time in quarantine, we thought we would share a few more fun ideas. For tea and spice lovers out there, check out the Tea and Spice Exchange. I had my sister-in-laws over for a tea party and took advantage of some fancy loose leafs! They even have teas that bloom. I am a personal fan of Earl Grey, and their Earl Grey Creme is delicious.

The Tea and Spice Exchange

Below is another fun recipe you can check out in your spare time.

Orange Chicken - from "The Pioneer Woman"

Read her blog at thepioneerwoman.com

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

Instructions

For the chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and egg whites with a fork until almost frothy, about 1 minute. Add the chicken to the mixture and allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

For the sauce: Meanwhile, put the orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, salt, crushed red pepper, garlic and ginger (and orange zest, if using) in a small nonstick skillet and whisk together. Heat until bubbling and starting to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.

Whisk together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch slurry to the sauce. Mix in and thicken for 1 minute. (If sauce gets overly thick, just add in another 1/4 cup water and whisk in.)

Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot until a deep-fry thermometer inserted in the oil registers 350 degrees F. In batches, carefully drop a few pieces of chicken into the oil (drop them in one by one to keep them from sticking together) and move it around, 2-3 minutes or until light golden. Let the pieces drain on a plate lined with paper towels for 2 to 3 minutes. Then drop them back into the oil for 1 minute to really solidify the coating.

Toss the chicken in the sauce and serve immediately with orange zest and sliced green onions on the top.

"I just want to thank you so much for my tires. I finally got them and my shoulders can feel the difference. It's much easier to push now. Again, thank you so much for everything you do"

~ Graciela ~

Sam, age 15, was in a car accident and is now living with paraplegia. His mother hasn't been able to work since his injury as she's been at the hospital and rehab center with him. NAF was able to help by paying their July rent. Sam will be going home from rehab soon and we're so glad to be able to make sure his home is ready.

Joel, age 54, was born with spina bifida. He needed a large ramp to access the front of his home and NAF was honored to provide a 7 foot ramp with handrails.

Your $25 donation will help provide clean catheters to a paralyzed child for one month when their insurance won't cover the expense.

Your $100 donation will help build a wheelchair ramp so we can get our clients out of rehab and through their front door at home.

Your $200 donation will help widen the doorways in their homes so their wheelchair can fit through the bathroom door. Insurance doesn't covers home modifications.

Your $500 donation will help provide life-changing medical equipment: wheelchairs and specialized shower chairs, etc. Most insurance only covers a small part of wheelchairs, if any, and no "bathing aids" are covered. 

No donation is too small. Click here for more information!