by Jennifer M. Rodriguez
Marjorie Regan (left) is joined on the United Spinal Board this year by Michelle Leahy (right) and Patricia Miller (not in photo). Admiring this artwork at Bulova Corporate Center, where United Spinal’s Executive Office is located, Leahy remarked, “I like this woman. It took a lot of temerity to put this statue in the lobby. She really makes a statement, which says, we are here!”
As women, we all want to look and feel our best. This is not always easy, considering the busy life today’s woman leads and the many hats we women wear. Body image is an important adjustment issue in how comfortable a woman is in her relationships and can influence her desire to be open to new ones. For a woman with spinal cord injury (SCI), achieving a healthy mental attitude may even be more difficult. A healthy body image, however, begins by being empowered with the facts about the impact of SCI on women.
Now, more than ever in its soon-to-be 60-year history, United Spinal Association understands and appreciates the issues facing women with disabilities and has been making every effort to reach out by developing the Women Without Limits Advisory Committee, providing education to women through workshops and welcoming three individuals to the Board of Directors, two of whom are the first ever female nonveteran Board Members.
Women Without Limits Advisory Committee
Women with SCI are desirable, are sexual beings and can become pregnant and have children. These simple facts are often discounted by women with SCI themselves.
“As United Spinal Association continues to grow at a rapid pace, it is important that we address the needs and concerns of a more diverse membership,” said Marlene Perkins, director of membership for United Spinal. “The needs and concerns of women with disabilities are very specific. From relevant issues such as overall health care to, ob/gyn exams, to body image to parenting to social activities, just to name a few. United Spinal is committed to addressing these issues and many more, not only through Women without Limits Advisory Committee, but as an entire organization.”
The goal of this committee is to identify and address the many issues that are relevant in the lives of women with spinal cord impairments. Some of these issues are:
• Expanding the knowledge of health care professionals regarding women’s health issues in spinal cord injury (SCI/D).
• Raising awareness about mental health in women, including depression, post traumatic stress syndrome, sexual trauma, self-esteem and body image-taking into account grooming and fashion.
• Exploring women’s sexuality.
• Understanding women’s reproductive health, including menstruation, menopause and aging. (Spinal cord injury has a greater impact on sexual and reproductive function in men than it does in women. Most spinal cord injured women remain fertile and can conceive and bear children.)
• Becoming aware of overall health and wellness, including breast health and issues related to bowel and bladder management that are unique to women.
• Confronting abuse and domestic violence specifically against women with disabilities.
United Spinal’s Women’s Advisory Committee is committed to accomplishing their work through education, advocacy, increased awareness and protection of civil rights to ensure adequate health care and expand life choices of women with SCI/D.
Education through Workshops
As part of the Women’s Advisory Committee’s outreach efforts, United Spinal Association partnered with Independence Care Systems to hold a free three-part series designed to inform and empower women with disabilities called, “Women Without Limits: Body, Mind & Health” that was held at the Manhattan Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Each series focused on a specific topic and subject matter. September 22nd’s topic was “Taking Care of You,” and was an open discussion about general health issues for women with disabilities. On October 6th, “Can We Talk?” presented a panel of experts providing an open discussion on relevant issues such as sexuality, dating and body image. “Our Bodies, Our Selves” was the final topic on October 20th and required a visit to the doctor beforehand as it explored and discussed issues relevant to a woman’s gynecological needs and concerns.
United Spinal Welcomes Female Board Members
Along with forming a women’s committee and developing educational workshops, United Spinal’s Board of Directors now includes three very different and professional female members.
Michele A. Leahy became a member of United Spinal Association in April 2004 and in little over one year was elected to the Board. She was born with spina bifida and was rendered paraplegic at the age of 22. “I’m the first person to serve on the Board that was born with a disability, so I bring a completely different perspective,” she said. “There’s no ‘before and after’ in my life. I’ve always had a disability. And because of that, I think I’m in a good position to represent our expanded membership.”
Also representing the expanded membership of United Spinal Association is Marjory Regan, a member since 1996 and a Board member since 2003. Regan recently retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the U.S. Department of Justice where she was the top federal contracting officer for several multimillion-dollar federal prison facilities, including new correctional institutions in Louisiana, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn, New York.
Regan sustained an SCI after falling from a helicopter skid during a military combat training exercise in 1979. She served with the Army’s 24th Military Police Company and was attached to the Criminal Investigation Division and Military Intelligence, among other assignments.
Joining United Spinal as a member just about a year ago, Patricia Miller was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in October 1997 and is also a member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. Miller and her family are committed to renewable energy and self-sufficiency. She lives in a community with no outside lines or power sources and produces all her electricity from solar and wind energy. Her family also produces most of their fruit and vegetables in a garden.
With the right attitude and the right people, United Spinal is arming itself with the kind of opportunities and tools to best represent and inspire women of all ages and spinal cord disabilities to maintain that healthy body image that comes along with the knowledge of the effect that SCI has on them.
Jennifer M. Rodriguez is a Public Affairs officer.
