United Spinal Association teamed up with PepsiCo to offer kids with disabilities a fun-filled day of recreational activities and games during PepsiCo’s 3rd annual Kids Sports Spectacular (KSS) event held on September 29th at the company’s World Headquarters in Purchase, NY.

Volunteers from United Spinal and other disability organizations offered instruction in a variety of adaptive sports including basketball, softball, tennis, and hand cycling, to teach the importance of self-esteem, teamwork, and friendship.

The event was hosted by EnAble, PepsiCo’s employee network that promotes diversity and the inclusion of people with different abilities.

“We are delighted to have had another opportunity to help PepsiCo in making Kids Sports Spectacular a big success. This event, which seems to get better every year, is a testament to how much we can achieve by combining our resources and expertise to promote inclusion. I think the smiles and enthusiasm exhibited by the kids is proof of that,” said Marlene Perkins, United Spinal VP of Outreach and Membership.

Lynda Costa, president of PepsiCo’s Westchester EnAble, said partnering with nonprofit organizations that live and breathe the issues impacting people with different abilities everyday is an important component to the event’s success.

“PepsiCo’s Kids Sports Spectacular would not be possible without the support of organizations such as United Spinal Association. They bring so much to the table. We believe in taking a harmonized approach to promoting diversity and inclusion. We aren’t experts in disability issues, so gaining the insight and support of knowledgeable disability groups and nonprofit organizations make these events even more rewarding for everyone involved.”

Costa added, “We had approximately 60 kids participate this year, almost twice as many as last year. There is a lot of work that goes into planning this event. We tried to include more interactive games for the kids. We wanted to ensure that all games were accessible, but also visually stimulating.”

“United Spinal Association was very helpful in reaching out to all the schools and getting us to our total of almost 60 children. It really is a very humbling experience and it makes both Mary Anne and I feel especially proud when we can bring some smiles to the young children’s faces. Not sure we could have the event without United Spinal Association’s support,” said Sandra DeQuatro of PepsiCo, who along with Maryanne Herrick were leaders in planning KSS.

KSS brought together local school children and staff from UCP of Westchester, Isaac E. Young Boces, and Rye Lake Campus Boces. This year, PepsiCo also welcomed the participation of more caregivers and parents than ever before. Errol Rivera, a teacher at Isaac E. Young middle school in New Rochelle, NY who was attending KSS for the first time said it was a great outing for his students, as well as their family members and aids. “We do not have too many opportunities to bring parents, students, and teachers together to interact at a fun event like this. It is a great opportunity to extend the learning experience outside of the classroom.”

Lisa Locatelli, also a teacher at Isaac E. Young, added “In class, we try to present our students with as many learning opportunities as possible, whether it is art, music, dance, or physical education. This event offers students another outlet to learn various skills that will benefit them in life. We are grateful to PepsiCo and organizations like United Spinal for offering this wonderful opportunity for our students.”

Since September 2005, United Spinal has partnered with EnAble to advise, train, and consult PepsiCo staff on accessibility-related matters and promote diversity, inclusion, and disability awareness.

PepsiCo’s 3rd annual “Kids Sports Spectacular” event is returning to the company’s World Headquarters in Purchase, NY on Tuesday, September, 29th from 8:30 am to 1 pm.

The event is hosted by PepsiCo’s enAble Advisory Committee, which promotes inclusion and focuses on an individual’s abilities rather than their disabilities. United Spinal and PepsiCo staff will interact with kids and instruct them on a variety of adaptive sports including basketball, softball, tennis, and hand cycling. They will also learn the importance of self-esteem, teamwork, and friendship.

“This is the third year that United Spinal Association and PepsiCo are providing kids with disabilities and their families a very unique opportunity to experience the wonderful benefits of adaptive sports. This event shows youths that they can achieve all of their dreams, even though they may face some adversity living with a disability. They all leave with a very positive attitude and a new outlook on life. It really is an enjoyable day for everyone involved,” said Marlene Perkins, United Spinal Association vice president of Corporate Outreach and Gifts.

In addition to a thrilling day of sports, PepsiCo will also be providing face painting, clowns, and art games.

Admission is free and lunch will be provided. Rain date is Wednesday, September 30th, 2009.

For more information on Kids Sports Spectacular events, please visit www.unitedspinal.org/kss.

Tom Scott
Editor
Marketing & Communications
United Spinal Association

KSS events, which are free and open to the public, offer educational sports and recreation opportunities to kids with disabilities that leave lasting, positive effects on participants and their families.

For some of these young boys and girls, it’s the first time they have ever participated in a recreational or sports-related activity that teach the value of teamwork and build up their confidence and self-esteem enabling them to realize and go beyond their dreams.

Each year, more and more kids participate in the Kids Sports Spectacular. It’s just a small part of United Spinal’s nationwide effort to provide outstanding programs for children and adults with disabilities. It is your generous donations that have allowed us to expand the Kids Sports Spectacular every year.

Please continue to help us reach more kids so that they can reach their dreams.
Make a donation today!

My sincere thanks,
Marlene Perkins,
VP of Corporate and Donor Relations
United Spinal Association.

Social Security Benefits ŒFast-tracked‚ for Certain Applicants

United Spinal Association has long advocated for the Social Security Administration to speed up the processing of Social Security disability applications; it is not uncommon for applicants to wait for years before receiving a determination.  Now, one portion of United Spinal’s membership may find some relief  - those Social Security disability applicants with Lou Gehrig’s Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Under a recent decision by Social Security Administrator Michael Astrue, Social Security disability applicants with ALS will be entitled to “fast-track” review under SSA’s new “compassionate allowances” program.

The “compassionate allowances” program provides for a speedy review of Social Security disability applications for applicants with certain medical conditions that are so severe that applicants will obviously meet Social Security’s disability standards.  In announcing the initial list of conditions, Administrator Michael Astrue stated, “This initiative will allow us to make decisions on these cases in a matter of days, rather than months or years.”

Paul Tobin, President and CEO of United Spinal Association, stated, “We have long recognized the devastating effects of ALS and the financial strain that ALS places upon both the individual and his or her family.  A quick review by SSA will means that people with ALS will have faster access to Social Security disability benefits as well as access to health care (Medicare or Medicaid) benefits.”

Tobin added, “United Spinal Association will continue to work with the new Congress and Administration to reduce the tragic waiting period for all Social Security disability applicants as well as to end the statutory 24-month waiting period for Medicare health coverage.”

For a complete list of conditions entitled to compassionate allowances, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances/conditions.htm  Social Security plans to add other conditions to this list in the future.

 

With the new Congress and the new President, there is a buzz of heightened hopes in Washington for disabilities issues. On the other hand, increased money for programs is likely to be sparse.

Serious economic conditions will hamper the ability to make all hoped-for changes. Also, many of the new members of Congress are concerned about growing deficits and are likely to join the Blue Dog Caucus of fiscally conservative Democrats.”

United Spinal Association helped develop both urgent priorities for immediately after Obama takes office and disability recommendations for the new President and the new Congress. They were issued by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), a coalition of over 100 disabilities groups of which United Spinal Association is an active member. They cover such diverse topics as transportation, education, prevention, employment, long-term services and supports, Social Security disability benefits, and health care.

Health care reform will be a high priority for both Obama and Congress. Health care reform is seen not only as a moral imperative but as an economic issue as well. Our complements to Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, who released his Call to Action white paper on major health care reform on November 12th. Peggy Hathaway of United Spinal Association said “It has ignited momentum of all stakeholders towards health care reform.” Senator Kennedy (D-MA), Chairman of the powerful Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee, promises a plan in January.

Peggy Hathaway
VP for Public Policy
United Spinal Association

United Spinal Association and PepsiCo introduced the fun-filled and exciting experience of adaptive sports to children with disabilities during PepsiCo’s 2nd annual “Kids Sports Spectacular” event held on October 23rd at the company’s World Headquarters in Purchase, NY.

Hosted by PepsiCo’s enAble Advisory Committee, which promotes inclusion and focuses on an individual’s abilities rather than their disabilities, the event brought together local school children and staff from UCP of Westchester, Isaac Young Boces, and Rye Lake Campus BOCES for a morning of sports-related activities and games.

United Spinal and PepsiCo staff offered instruction in a variety of adaptive sports including basketball, softball, tennis, and hand cycling, to teach the importance of self-esteem, teamwork, and friendship. Volunteers from Abilities Beyond Disabilities, an organization that represents adults living with a developmental disability, also provided support and encouragement to the children throughout the day.

“We are proud to collaborate with PepsiCo in making Kids Sports Spectacular such a great success. Having an opportunity to show kids of all abilities that they can succeed in life through sports, is a truly worthwhile mission, and one in which we share with PepsiCo. We hope to continue this rewarding partnership for future events” said Marlene Perkins, United Spinal Association vice president of Corporate Outreach and Gifts.

During the day’s festivities, participants had a chance to try out all the different sports while staff and volunteers cheered them on, dance and sing to music provided by the Kids Sports Spectacular MC, help perform magic tricks, and get their faces painted by “Tiny” the clown.

Participant George Jordan, who attended last year’s event said he was happy to be back. “I had a great time and I want to thank everyone for bringing me here today. Trying out the hand cycles was so much fun,” he said.

“I want to express my thanks to everyone involved in putting this great event together. It really does a lot for the kids,” added Tony Costa, facilitator at IsaacYoung Boces.

The event concluded with lunch and a trophy ceremony where special guest speaker Massimo F. d’Amore, chief executive officer of PepsiCo Americas Beverages, thanked all attendees and participating schools. “We picked a perfect day to have this event. It is a privilege to host Kids Sports Spectacular on our campus and celebrate our different abilities. We will have plenty of opportunities to be together again in the future,” d’Amore said.

Lynda Costa, who manages PepsiCo’s enAble network, said partnering with disability organizations such as United Spinal Association to drive diversity and inclusion is an important component in helping the company address disability-related issues and identify best practices in marketing, packaging, and communications. “This is just the second year we have hosted Kids Sports Spectacular but we hope to make it even bigger and better in the future. Our staff always looks forward to participating in this event and it brings us all together on a common platform that transcends age, race, and religion. EnAble is a small part of what PepsiCo is doing to promote diversity and inclusion. We have approximately 10 Diversity and Inclusion networks that address issues facing many different groups of people.”

PepsiCo Diversity and Inclusion networks include African Americans, Latinos/Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, Women, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender, Women of Color, Support Team/Non-exempt, and the EnAble network. Since September 2005, United Spinal has partnered with the enAble network, to advise, train, and consult PepsiCo staff on accessibility-related matters and promote diversity, inclusion, and disability awareness. On March 27-29, 2007, United Spinal participated in PepsiCo’s first annual MultiCultural Inclusion Summit that brought together more than 500 of PepsiCo’s senior management staff and personnel from around the world. Conducting two workshops over the course of the three-day event, United Spinal staff had the opportunity to address attendees on the issue of disability etiquette and interacting with people of varying abilities, including spinal cord injuries and mobility and visual impairments.

The EnAble team recently demonstrated the spirit of inclusion by producing and starring in “Bob’s House,” a silent television commercial that appeared on the FOX network’s pre-game show for Super Bowl XLII and was the first-ever to showcase people using American Sign Language.

To read more about PepsiCo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout its history, please visit http://www.pepsico.com/PEP_Diversity/timeline/index.cfm.

About United Spinal Association
United Spinal is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and post polio. It has played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with spinal cord injury and diseases.
www.unitedspinal.org

About PepsiCo’s Diversity and Inclusion Networks
We believe a sense of belonging in our professional lives is just as important as it is in our personal relationships; it builds trust, encourages teamwork and collaboration, and enables the free sharing of ideas that helps us develop, grow and innovate. This is why we continue to grow our efforts to promote diversity and inclusion around the globe. In the United States, our Diversity and Inclusion Networks promote a culture where everyone feels they have an equal opportunity to contribute and succeed.

The seven-city tour will takeoff in Orlando, Florida on October 22nd, ending in the birthplace of hip-hop, New York City, on November 12th and will also include speaking engagements by the group to discuss disability-related issues.

United Spinal’s disability travel program Able to Travel (www.abletotravel.org), also arranged all of 4 Wheel City’s travel accommodations and booked accessible rental cars and vans for the group to use during the tour.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to support 4 Wheel City during this one-of-a-kind music tour. United Spinal is proud to be a part of this outstanding initiative to not only increase the public’s awareness of people with disabilities through music, but also inspire many people to make positive changes in their lives,” says Marlene Perkins, vice-president of Corporate and Donor Relations for United Spinal.

The group’s founders, Bronx-natives Namel “Tapwaterz” Norris, 26, and Ricardo “Rickfire” Velasquez, 31, were both spinal cord injured from gunshot wounds. At age 17, Norris was accidentally shot in the neck by his cousin while the two were horsing around with guns and Velasquez, then 19, was caught in cross-fire while walking home from a party.

“For me it was like my world was flipped upside down and I needed to make a big mental and physical adjustment,” says Norris, who was mentored by Velasquez after his injury.

Norris and Velasquez formed a lasting friendship and collaborated to form 4 Wheel City. Their message to others living with spinal cord injuries rings clearly through their music–never give up hope!

“If you’re not doing anything, find something that you love to do, that you got the passion for,” Velasquez adds. “You’re going to find something that makes you happy, whatever it is––acting, singing, whatever you want to do, just go for it. We’re disabled and still got the will to live. I think that will inspire other people with disabilities and people will see we’re the same.”

Tour Schedule:
10/22 and 10/24 – Orlando, FL – Orlando Rehabilitation
10/25 and 10/27 – Atlanta GA – Jonesboro High School
10/29 and 10/30 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Community High School
10/30 and 11/02 – Washington, DC – Walter Reed / VSA Arts 11/3 and 11/5 – Philadelphia, PA – Temple Univ./Magee Rehabilitation
11/6 and 11/8 – West Orange, NJ – Kessler Rehabilitation
11/10 and 11/12 – New York City – Mount Sinai

United Spinal is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post polio. It has played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with spinal cord disorders.

4 Wheel City is an urban entertainment group and disability awareness movement. Their mission is to use hip-hop music and culture to create more awareness and positive opportunities for people with disabilities, to inspire people not to give up in life, and to raise funds for spinal cord injury research. In addition, their experiences have moved them to be allies in the war against gun violence. By educating the community of its consequences, Norris and Velasquez hope to encourage action and make a difference in the fight against illegal guns and inner city gun violence. For more information on 4 Wheel City, visit http://www.myspace.com/4wheelcity.

Besides the United Spinal Association Junior Nets, participating junior teams will be the Long Island Lightning and Katie’s Komets from Pennsylvania. A special exhibition contest between the adult United Spinal Association Nets Division 3 team and the Junior Nets will be played.

Funding for this event was provided in part by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

The Junior Nets wheelchair basketball team is currently ranked ninth in the nation. Its players include Joseph Bruno of Paramus, Chelsea Crytzer of Parsippany, Tim Irizarry of Linden, Dylan Levine of Paramus, Ryan Lodato of Brick, Bryson McLeod of Wood-Ridge, Mariya Redden of Jersey City, Emily Seelenfreund of West Orange, and Kaitlyn Willard of Havertown, PA. All Junior Nets players are under 17 years of age. Two Junior Nets team members are world-class athletes in their age group in other sports. Dylan Levine excels in wheelchair tennis, and Bryson McLeod is accomplished in wheelchair track events.

Wheelchair basketball is played on a standard basketball court but players may only push their wheelchair twice before dribbling or passing the ball. The height of the basket is the same as in college or professional basketball. Wheelchairs specially designed for speed and maneuverability are used in this highly-competitive sport.

United Spinal Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries or disorders. For over 60 years, we have fought for veteran’s rights and for the rights of all individuals with disabilities. We played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Our initiatives in research and education, government policy and legislation, civil rights and advocacy, accessibility and architectural design, and competitive athletics ensure that veterans and all Americans with spinal cord injury and disease live healthier, more independent and productive lives as active members of their communities. For more information, please visit www.unitedspinal.org or call 800-404-2898.