Spinal Cord Injury Walk 2007

Walk Those Who Can't


Spinal Cord Injury Walk 2007
At the Old Fairgrounds Park/Butterfield Pavilion
704 McCord Rd, Valparaiso, Indiana
September 29, 2007, Noon-5pm

• Noon- turn in pledge envelopes/hand out shirts
• 1pm- 5k/3.1 mile fitness walk (that’s only 4 times around the track)
• 3pm- Information, food, music, raffles and a silent auction in Butterfield Pavilion

*Proceeds are to benefit Unite 2 Fight Paralysis, paralysis research, and the Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group.



The Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group: Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those with spinal cord injuries living in Northwest Indiana, through education, advocacy, peer support, and recreational outings. www.nwiscig.blogspot.com


A few spinal cord injury facts…

• Every 41 minutes, another American sustains a spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis. This translates to an estimated 11,000 new injuries annually.
• The average age at injury is 38, with 56% of all injuries occurring between the ages of 16 and 35. Young adults reaching the peak of their earnings potential.
• In addition to paralysis, secondary conditions resulting from a spinal cord injury include compromised respiratory, bowel, bladder and sexual function as well as chronic urinary tract infections and pressure sores.
• The estimated annual direct costs of care for Americans living with paralysis due to spinal cord injury are $15 billion. One of the costliest conditions in our country.
• Spinal cord injury knows no boundaries. In a split second it could happen to you, a family member, friend, or neighbor.

Sources: (1) Spinal Cord Injury Information Center, http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu/
(2) Care Cure; www.sciwire.com


For more information email nwiscig@gmail.com

or call 219-531-0055

Rally for the Cure: Chicago

Rally Hits the Road: Chicago

Sunday, September 9, 5:00 p.m.

Navy Pier, Grand Ballroom

Featuring

Second City Comedy and Special Guests

Honoring

Sam Schmidt, IRL Race Car Driver

Dr. Jack Kessler, Northwestern University,

Dr. Wise Young, Rutgers University

2:30- 5:00 p.m.

Update on spinal cord injury research

Presentations by Dr. Jack Kessler and Dr. Wise Young.

5:00- 7:30 p.m.

Hors D’ Oeuvres- Silent Auction- Awards- 2nd City Performance

Tickets: $125/ person

Attire: Business to Cocktail.

Directions to Navy Pier: http://www.navypier.com/

All Proceeds to Benefit Spinal Cord Injury Research

Striving From Laboratory towards Human Application

For more information contact: Next Steps SCI Rehab

To purchase tickets online or sponsor the event

708.467.0657 nextsteps1@aol.com

Contributions are tax-deductible per IRS codes

One week of free physical therapy at SCI-Step

They are a facility where determined individuals can concentrate on their recovery using the most advanced equipment combined with crucial rehabilitative components and the knowledge of dedicated medical professionals specializing in physiatry, physical therapy and exercise physiology.

SCI-Step is now offering a free trial weel of physical therapy, with housing, to those with spinal cord injuries. The staff is very friendly and accomodating. Located in Mason, Ohio , they are close enough to make the trip worthwhile.

Below is a quote from the SCI-Step website:

"Being in DC and meeting all the wonderful individuals gave me the inspiration to do more. We are now offering one week at no cost to anyone interested in trying out our program. We want everyone with an SCI to have the ability to experience all the beneficial components necessary for SCI recovery and health maintenance. Whether you come for a week or decide to stay longer, we want to help in any way that we can. For more information and to receive an application, please email me at mbrock@sci-step.com.
Already had a trial? We would love to have you here again!" -Michele Brock, Sci-Step.com

Spinal Cord Injury Walk 2007

We are in the process of planning a fundraising walk for late September. The proceeds from this walk will benefit spinal cord injury research, Unite 2 Fight Paralysis, and the NWI spinal Cord Injury Group. Many volunteers will be needed to keep things in order. Please contact nwiscig@gmail.com for more information.

Joe

Meetings

The Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group meets on the first Saturday of each month, at 1pm. Officially we meet at Porter Hospital's Education and Rehabilitation Center, 1401 Calumet, Valparaiso, IN. We have also been known to go to Gelsosmo's, in Valparaiso, to get lunch. Visit this site for updates on when future meetings will be.

Joe

A Day at the Races - September 8th, 2007 - Chicagoland Speedway

"The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation's Day at the Races program is again planning a Day at the Races program at Chicagoland Speedway.



The program is designed for people with spinal cord injuries to spend a day at the Speedway. For many guests it will be their first visit and the first time to watch IndyCar qualifying and races. The day is designed to be informal but one that is fun filled.



Lunch takes place in the Andretti Green Hospitality Tent where Sam Schmidt will address the guests and answer questions relating to his spinal cord injury, how he overcame his many challenges and his career as an IndyCar driver and now an IndyCar Pro Series Team Owner. Ida Cahill, President / CEO of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, will describe the work of the Foundation and provide resource materials.



Following lunch everyone will take a tour of the garage and pit areas and have the opportunity to meet IndyCar drivers and team owners. Space is limited. For further information contact the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation." http://samschmidt.org/



I got the chance to attend the "Day at the Races" in Indianapolis this June, and it was a great time.

Joe

Adaptive waterskiing in Wisconsin

One of my favorite things to do since my accident, is water ski. There are two groups that host adaptive water ski clinics.

The Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana hosted one on June 6th and 7th, in Cicero, In.

The second clinic is hosted by Adaptive Adventures and Dreams for Kids. It will be held in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on July 24 and July 31 - August 2.

These clinics usually have a fee of only $5, include lunch, and are open to all disabilities.

Water skiing is one of the few things that make me kind of forget about my wheelchair for a little bit. I urge everyone to check it out.



Joe

Welcome to the Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group.

This site was set up to keep people informed about the activities of the group. Whether it be the days and times of our meetings, events and outings, or new information about a cure for paralysis; it will be posted on this site. Our hopes are that the group grows and more people feel empowered to live happy, healthy, productive lives. Please feel free to leave comments and/or contact us at nwiscig@gmail.com.