In my message last month I reminded everyone how lucky United Spinal is to have such dedicated and hard working staff and board members. This month I am reaching out to each of you and asking you to show your support for United Spinal by becoming an active participating member. For some this may be […]

Several months ago I had the honor to be appointed to the New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Board. Established through legislation passed in 1999, the Board consists of 13 individuals whose major function is to review proposals and award spinal cord research funds to scientists who apply for support of their research initiatives. […]

Emily Seelenfreund is unusual for someone her age. Not only does she get about in a wheelchair, but the sophomore at the Hudson School in Hoboken, New Jersey, is confident, independent-minded, focused. Even more unusual, for a person of any age, Emily is a certified scuba diver.
One day in March 2004, Emily, who has […]

Tim Swieckowski: Treasure Hunter
Tim Swieckowski is co-founder of Dream Quest Adventurers, Inc., (www.dreamquest.cc), a maritime exploration company located in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. “The company got started in 2001 when I started doing research to help other people do deep sea exploration. That’s the biggest kick I get out of this. I came across […]

New York State Reviews Parks Policy on Disabled Golfers
A former New York City police officer with a prosthetic leg may be closer to his dream of playing the famous Bethpage Black golf course, now that the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is reviewing its policy on golfers with disabilities. […]

Making travel arrangements isn’t always a pleasant experience. A majority of travelers have a wide range of options to ensure that their trips do not turn into nightmares. This, unfortunately, is not the case for many individuals with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D). Accessibility is not high on the list of priorities for […]

Americans are living longer and healthier lives, and there is no lack of discussion in Washington on aging issues from Medicare and prescription drugs to long-term care and social security. What is missing from this discussion, however, is the understanding that people with disabilities are also living longer and healthier lives. Americans aging with a […]

For people using wheelchairs, consumer access to restaurants and gas stations expands business opportunities for the owners. To deny economic access to people with disabilities weakens our economy and our community.
Recent observed events in the business area demand me to ask this question: Does America want people using wheelchairs to be consumers?
While […]

The 21st century is well underway and we are experiencing a worldwide juggernaut of medical research and progress in medical practice. This has created an ever-changing environment in which physicians try to stay current with the latest developments in their field. As a consequence, there is a movement toward greater medical specialization. More and more […]

Wheelchair Softball Hits Homerun at MLB’s FanFest
The United Spinal sponsored wheelchair softball exhibition at John Hancock’s All-Star FanFest, which took place July 8–12 in Detroit, Michigan, was a success for our Association. Representatives from the United Spinal Mets and Yankees wheelchair softball teams, along with nine other Major League Baseball-affiliated wheelchair softball teams took […]