Wheel World News

November 2024 Newsletter

Welcome to Wheel World News! Our monthly newsletter highlights current events, the different programs offered around the community, and much more. Enjoy!

Current Events

What's Happening: [Functional Wheelchair Skills]

Description: [The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association is partnering with Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center to offer Functional Wheelchair Skills, a program designed to enhance the mobility, independence, and confidence of individuals who use wheelchairs. Our Functional Wheelchair Skills Classes are tailored to meet the unique needs of participants, whether they are new to using a wheelchair or seeking to refine their existing skills.


Beyond just physical skills, our program focuses on building confidence and a positive mindset. Participants will be encouraged to embrace their abilities, overcome challenges, and develop a sense of empowerment in their daily lives.

These FREE classes will take place at Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center.

Click here to sign up today!]

When: [Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 @ 4:30 pm]

Where: [Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center]

What's Happening: [Ride & Row - Outdoor Adventure Series]

Description: [We are celebrating our third year of partnership with High Country Adaptive Sports (HCAS), AZSCIA (Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association), AAWS (Arizona Adaptive Water Sports) This season you can expect to see more bikes and more kayaks as we have grown and welcome AZDS (Arizona Disabled Sports) to the Ride and Row Series.


The last Ride and Row event for this season will be at Tempe Town Lake on November 6th, 2024. We will be kayaking, cycling, and off-road cycling. Lunch will be provided. If you require transportation, don’t worry our friends as AZSCIA got you covered. An email with the location and times will be sent out the Monday before the event with all the essential information. The cost is just $10 to participate! Be there or be square!


The fourth and last Ride & Row event is set to take place on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024 at Tempe Town Lake. Click here to register today!]

When: [Wednesyday, November 6th, 2024]

Where: [Tempe Town Lake]

What's Happening: [Day at the Range]

Description: [Join the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association and Hits & Miss’s for a fun afternoon at the range.

A variety of loaner firearms will be available to try out. There will also be assorted ammo for sale if you run out or forget yours. Click here to register today!]

When: [Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 from 10am-4pm]

Where: [Ben Avery Shooting Range]

Cost: [$20 per person]

To stay up-to-date on all AZSCIA events (and other events going on within the community), follow our Community Events/News Facebook page!
AZSCIA Community Events/News Facebook

Join us for our Meditation & Movement Virtual Class!


Next Classes:



Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 @ 11 am (virtual)

&

Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 @ 11 am (virtual)




Where: Via Zoom Call


The intent of the class is to exercise and develop greater self-awareness and inner mastery. With the utilization of mindful and meditation exercises, people have the opportunity to experience greater self-knowledge, resiliency, and positive habit-forming exercises. Come for the experience. Stay for the FUN!

 

Sign up @ : www.ability360.org/sports/class-schedule/

 

Virtual Class Link:

Virtual Meditation and Movement Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87199163237?pwd=WUlLWHFjYXlTa2tNQ3J2MXYzc1NoZz09&from=addon


Meeting ID: 871 9916 3237

Passcode: 764454

WM Phoenix Open - Birdies For Charity 2025

Opioid Use Disorder in the Disability Community

Individuals with spinal cord injuries are disproportionately affected with OUD (Opioid Use Disorder). A spinal cord injury typically requires the use of various pain-killing medications in an effort to manage pain effectively. However, data shows that after 5 days of use of an opioid, the risk of long-term abuse is drastically higher. The AZSCIA is committed to providing services around prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Our core belief is that opioids are not a sustainable method of treatment for this population. Pain management is a complex issue with a wide range of applicable strategies that can be effective. The goal is to manage pain while simultaneously limiting the chance of opioid use disorder (OUD). For individuals suffering from OUD; MAT therapy has proven to be an extremely effective treatment, one which the AZSCIA supports for any individual who makes that choice. Visit our website here for more resources and information. Pain Doesn't Have to Kill.

AZSCIA Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit

Our 'Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit' is a great resource for individuals who may be struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), for people who want to learn more about opioids, and for caregivers/family members. This can be your go-to packet on all things OUD, from understanding OUD, first responder education, education or family members/caregivers, recovery support after overdose, and curated SCI community resources. If you ever have further questions or concerns, or just need someone to talk to, please call us at 602-507-4209 or email eric@azspinal.org. 
View Toolkit
Opioid Reduction Program with Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center

​Research by The National Institute of Health (NIH), has shown that regular exercise can ease chronic pain. Exercise releases endorphins, which are our body’s natural painkillers. Exercise has been proposed as an intervention for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).


The newly updated “Opioid Reduction Program” is a program that provides treatment and recovery support for individuals going through Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The individual will receive a complimentary membership to the fitness center, along with curated classes to build a sense of community and accountability to one another as they work the program together. Members will now be able to participate in all outdoor programs offered by Ability360 Sports & Fitness as part of their membership.


If you are currently in treatment, recovery, or have ever experienced OUD in the past, this program is for you! The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association and Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center are working together to combat the OUD epidemic in Arizona. We are dedicated to building a healthy community for individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. 

More on Opioid Reduction Program
Share Your OUD Story
WE WANT YOU! The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association is working to combat the Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) epidemic in Arizona. We are dedicated to building a healthy community for individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.

AZSCIA is working on creating videos to bring awareness to opioid use in the disability community. We are looking for individuals who are willing to share their experience with opioids. If you would like to participate and share your story, please call us at (602) 507-4209 OR email at eric@azspinal.org/allison@azspinal.org.

Your stories will help other individuals in the community. Click the button below if you are interested in sharing your experience. We thank you in advance!

Share Your Story
AZSCIA's Opioid Project Surveys
The AZSCIA is dedicated to building a healthy community for individuals with spinal cord injuries and their families. We are conducting data collection to understand the use of opioids within the disability community. The goal is to understand the role opioids play in response to chronic pain. Your feedback is valuable in creating new opportunities to educate and identify resources to increase awareness around the opioid epidemic in Arizona. Your responses are confidential and will not be shared with any third parties. We appreciate your time and thank you in advance for your participation
Individual Survey (answering for yourself)
Professional Survey
Family Member/Caregiver Survey

Support Groups

Support groups are a wonderful way to become active in the community, socialize, and meet new friends. You won't want to miss out on these amazing support groups going on throughout Arizona! 

Men’s Disability Discussion Group

If you're looking to meet new people or just have a great time, we invite you to join our Men's Support Group run by Don Price.

Men's Group Zoom Meeting

Time: Every week on Thursdays,

4-5:30pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83127569653

Meeting ID: 831 2756 9653

That's How We Roll - SCI Support Group

This support group is based in Sedona, AZ. They meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Come for support, camaraderie, and resources!

Flagstaff Spinal Cord Injury & Brain Injury Support Group

Please join us each month on the 1st Tuesday from 5:30 - 7:00 pm!


Primarily a Spinal Cord Injury group but includes MS and Traumatic Brain Injury clients as well since many of the adaptation, medical, equipment, needs, and socialization issues are pertinent to all.


The group meets in the Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Arizona at 1851 North Gemini Drive on McMillan Mesa in Flagstaff, 86001

Ladies Support Group

Join the AZSCIA for our virtual Ladies Support Group! All ladies are welcome to participate. Our conversations include talking about living with SCI and the challenges we face. It’s all about the good, the bad and the better we can be.

When: 2nd Tuesday of Each Month

@ 2PM (Once a month)

Details: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84551614366

(This link will lead you directly to the call)

Meeting ID: 845 5161 4366

Password: 521326

Explore More Support Groups

AZSCIA Peer Mentor Program

Contact us: (602) 507-4209
www.azspinal.org

AZSCIA Peer Mentor Program - Meet Our Mentors!

Did you know we have a great Peer Mentor Program here at the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association? In this video, we wanted to highlight some of our amazing volunteers/mentors who dedicate their time to support the community. If you want to get connected with one of our peer mentors, please reach out to us today!

Podriplegics Podcast/AZSCIA YouTube Channel

Podriplegics Podcast
Have you checked out the 'Podriplegics' Podcast yet? If not, you'll want to! This is a podcast where three guys talk about living with a disability and providing insight, current events, and humor about their lives. They host guest speakers regularly. New podcasts come out monthly. Click image below to listen to previous podcasts. Click here to listen!
***Disclaimer***
The show has mature subject matter and mature language.
AZSCIA YouTube Channel
Be sure to check out the AZSCIA YouTube channel! We will be releasing videos on some of the virtual educational classes we recorded last year. If you subscribe to our YouTube channel, you can click the bell to get notified when we publish new videos!

Click here to subscribe today!

Save the Date

Functional Wheelchair Skills Classes


The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association is partnering with Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center to offer Functional Wheelchair Skills, a program designed to enhance the mobility, independence, and confidence of individuals who use wheelchairs. Our Functional Wheelchair Skills Classes are tailored to meet the unique needs of participants, whether they are new to using a wheelchair or seeking to refine their existing skills. Click here to sign up today!


Next class is set to take place on Wednesday, December 11th, 2024

Support AZSCIA

Save money and help a good cause every time you shop! We have partnered with Goodshop so that now you can feel great about your online shopping! Goodshop gives you the best coupons for thousands of stores like Target, Apple, Amazon, Petco and more AND a percentage of what you spend on virtually every purchase is donated to the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association! Plus, with the Goodshop app for iPhone and iPad, you can shop, save, and give on the go. While there also use Good Search when searching the internet. They pay us one cent for each search! Adds up quickly. Thank you!
Free to sign up here: http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop

Did you know you can support nonprofit organizations in your community just by shopping at Fry's? It's easy when you enroll in Fry's Community Rewards! To get started, sign up with your V.I.P Card, then select the AZSCIA as your charity. Once you're enrolled, we'll earn rewards every time you shop and use your V.I.P Card! If you are already enrolled, all participants must re-enroll each year to continue earning rewards for their chosen organization. The Banner Wheelchairs Suns has retired, so you will have to change your charity. We hope you choose the AZ Spinal Cord Injury Association! Thank you to everyone for your continued support. Our # is 44739.
Click the link below to enroll today!

Accessible Van Rentals Provided by the
Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association
Have an upcoming trip or need a van for a big group event? Consider renting out one of our accessible vans for your event or trip! They have a manual ramp, fits two chairs, and three able-bodied individuals. The ramp swings out for easy access and has a lowered floor.

If you need more information on renting a van, please contact Guillermo Zeledon at 602-507-4209, extension # 1
More About Transportation

Have a Donation?

The AZSCIA is always looking to give back to our community. We will work with you to arrange pick-ups of larger items such as beds, exercise equipment, or other durable medical equipment. If it is something smaller, please contact us to arrange a drop-off date/time. We love seeing the support and you can be sure that what you give is put back into the hands of those who need it.


Our donation specialist Guillermo Zeledon is available at 602-507-4209 ext#1. He will be happy to assist you with any questions or pick-up concerns you may have!

*Accessible Van donated from community member and given to this family in need*
We are now on Instagram! Follow us @azscia. There, we will post about current events, community stories, and more!
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[602.507.4209]  [allison@azspinal.org]  [azspinal.org]