As I begin my service as Executive Director, I want to thank the Board of Directors for their confidence in appointing me. I have been with this wonderful organization for 10 years and am humbled by both the size of the task before me and the shadow of the two leaders I follow. I have unending respect for Jim Peters and Jerry Kelly, who together brought United Spinal to new heights and made an impact on me and thousands of others with spinal cord disorders.
Thirteen years ago, at 23, I sustained a spinal cord injury. I had just married, my wife was pregnant, and on an otherwise perfect day, a bad split-second at the beach changed our lives forever. Lying in a hospital bed as a new quadriplegic, I believed that my life was over. My hope was renewed when members of the then-Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association met me and demonstrated to me that a fulfilling life after spinal cord injury was not only possible but achievable.
Two years later, President Joe Segarra asked me to serve on the Board of Directors and, shortly after, Jim Peters asked me to come on staff. In the 10 years since, I watched two seasoned executives lead this organization through good times and bad. I observed them pour their heart and soul into their work. When Jim passed away suddenly in 2002, Jerry rose to lead us through our evolution to United Spinal Association. Now, Jerry and his wife Lynn are beginning a much-deserved retirement. I wish them both the very best and appreciate that Jerry will continue his involvement in the association in the governance committee.
My goal is to continue the tradition of service that is the legacy of United Spinal Association: to help each of us learn from one another; to improve our collective quality of life; to ensure that we can each achieve the goals and expectations we set for ourselves. I intend to continually challenge the limitations imposed by attitudes, medical technology, society and government.
The association continues to evolve as our membership grows and diversifies. Our commitment to meeting everyday challenges with thoughtful solutions will endure.
Paul J. Tobin
Executive Director
