By Marlene L. Perkins
Independence. Equality. Opportunity. Access. These words are the cornerstone of what United Spinal Association represents as an organization and more importantly what our Membership represents to the world. Across the country, with individuals from various communities and cultures, of different ages, genders and backgrounds, you, our members, are what make this organization unique. It is also the major factor behind our success and future. Since January 2004, United Spinal has seen and experienced change at a rapid pace. The success of our growth and expansion can only be attributed to the positive response that we’ve seen businesses from across the country. As we spread our message and mission of equality and independence to communities across America, our dedication and commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with spinal cord injuries or disease will continue to grow.
Throughout this issue of Action, you’ll see profiles that feature various United Spinal members. They represent the diversity, independence, and active lifestyle that is you, our members. From 7 year old Nia Best of New York City who loves to play sports, to Vanderbilt University graduate school student Melissa Holley of Tennessee who, when she isn’t in school, is traveling the country as a public speaker, to Joseph Brown, a United Spinal lifetime member who, through his advocacy and outreach efforts, continues to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in New Jersey. These individuals represent all that we are committed to as an organization-independence, equality, opportunity, access.
This May marks the 60th anniversary of United Spinal. Throughout the year, to commemorate this occasion, we will “Map Out 60 Years of United Spinal” with more of these profiles. We will introduce you to people representing the diversity of United Spinal’s membership, people from every corner of the nation and from every age and ethnic group, people who work in the private sector, people who work as advocates, people who participate in sports or who coach other athletes. If you know someone you want to see featured in these pages-maybe even yourself-please let us know.
In any case, I encourage you to get involved in as many activities as possible or for that matter, to develop your own activity in your community. It is you, our members that helped shape the past 60 years and it is you our members, who will ensure an even stronger and more prosperous foundation as we move ahead for 60 more.
Marlene L. Perkins is director of Membership. She can be reached by e-mail at mperkins@unitedspinal.org. For information about Membership programs and services, please call 1-800-404-2898, ext. 222.
