CORPORATE CONNECTIONS:
Merrill Lynch Employees Lunch & Learn About SCI/D
United Spinal Association was invited by the Merrill Lynch Disability Network to conduct last month’s Lunch & Learn educational workshop. The program, held on May 11, featured United Spinal Association’s John Del Colle and Marlene Perkins, along with Dr. Trevor Dyson-Hudson, a United Spinal member and rehabilitation research scientist at Kessler Medical Institute. Entitled “Spinal Cord Injury: Lessons, Life & Independence,” the program was designed to educate Merrill Lynch staff about rehabilitation, medical research, community resources and life after SCI.
Dr. Dyson-Hudson told the audience of over 30 Merrill Lynch staff members about his own personal story, as well as about progress in stem cell research. Del Colle provided an overview of United Spinal as a community resource available to individuals with a SCI.
Chris Fossel, Merrill Lynch’s Disability Network chairperson, found the program to be useful in their company’s efforts to increase diversity throughout their workplace.
The workshop was recorded and linked to Merrill Lynch’s Disability Network members across the country. United Spinal Association will continue to develop collaborative efforts with the Merrill Lynch Disability Network by supporting and strengthening this newly established partnership through joint projects and ventures.
MEDICARE RECIPIENTS:
Do You Have the Wheelchair You Need? If Not, We Need to Know
Outdated policies prevent many Medicare recipients from getting the wheelchair they need to live independent and productive lives. Currently, Medicare will only pay for a wheelchair if you need it for use in your home. If you can function at home with a manual chair, but need a power chair to go to work, your doctor, or the local grocery store, Medicare will only pay for a manual chair.
United Spinal is embarking on a major legislative campaign to ensure that every Medicare recipient with a disability has access to the “Right Wheelchair.”
If you don’t have the right wheelchair because Medicare refuses to pay for it, we need to hear from you. Personal stories from members affected by this disastrous rule are the most powerful tool we have to make Congress understand why legislation is urgently needed.
This policy affects you if:
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• You are a Medicare recipient, AND
• Medicare is not providing you with the type of wheelchair you need to fully access your community.
If this describes you, please contact Dan Anderson, legislative analyst, Public Policy, and help us convince Congress that it’s time to fix this irrational policy. Contact Dan at 1-800-404-2898, extension 294, or e-mail danderson@unitedspinal.org.
