SCI Network May 2004 Newsletter

Spinal Cord Injury Network

Bar to separate page sections, Bar looks like a piece of chain

SCI CONNECTOR May 2004

SCI ANNUAL PICNIC & REDSKINS SEASON TICKET RAFFLE

The SCI Network's 2004 picnic & barbecue will be held at Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital in Rockville, Maryland, from one until four, on August 28th 2004. Admission is free; bring the kids! Good food, good fun. The picnic will be held in conjunction with the election of officers, a wheelchair basketball demonstration by our team, an SCI-related speaker, the presentation of annual awards and the grand drawing of the 22nd Annual Redskins Season Ticket Raffle.

One of the high points of the afternoon last year was the sixth annual presentation of the Jane McIntosh Award. Jane was an early and outstanding disability advocate, past president and a founding member of the SCI Network. The award is made yearly to the company, group or individual deemed most supportive of SCI Network and its community. This year’s winner is Jesse Parker. Jesse, recently nominated to the board of directors, took on the leadership role in our first golf marathon fund-raiser, which took in nearly $20,000 in pledges.

Mike Driscol, the son of the late Jane McIntosh, endowed the award six years ago, and he has made the presentation almost every year for the seven years that we have given the award; last year to to ex-board member Eric Mohn and to his father, long time disability activist, Kermit Mohn.

Last year the grand prizewinner of the 21st Annual Redskins Season Ticket Raffle was longtime Network member Steve Ackerman, of Spectrum Medical in Silver Spring, Maryland. Steve has been a Network supporter and a participant in the raffle for the last fifteen years.

At the SCI Network annual picnic on August 28th, 2004, two season tickets (two tickets to each of the 2004 Redskin home games) will be awarded to the lucky 2004 Redskin Season Ticket raffle winner. Chances cost $100 each, but only 100 are available each year. Second through tenth prizes are $200 each. Last year 62 tickets were sold, so each player had about a one-in-six chance of winning either the season tickets or $200. Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital is located at 9909 medical Center Drive, in Rockville, Maryland. Tickets are on sale for the 2004 Redskin Season Ticket Raffle, and you can reserve your raffle ticket or RSVP for the picnic now. Call the office (301-424-8335) or leave a comment below.

STUDY RELATES ACTIVITY TO REDUCTION IN SECONDARY CONDITIONS

While few would argue as to the far-reaching benefits of exercise, due to numerous barriers, it is difficult for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to consistently participate in a routine exercise program. Sadly, individuals with SCI may have the greatest potential to benefit from exercise and physical activity since they are less fit, age at an accelerated rate compared with the non-SCI population, and are more susceptible to numerous, often preventable, secondary conditions.

One of the research projects of the federally-funded SCI Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on SCI: Promoting Health and Preventing Complications through Exercise consists of a novel exercise program for individuals with SCI. The basic format of each program will be defined by both researchers and consumers with SCI, while still allowing flexibility for the individual needs of the participants with SCI. A consumer-defined exercise program developed and designed with the input of people with SCI can provide valuable information to help facilitate participation in, and long-term adherence to, routine physical activity.

The setting for these exercise programs will either be in the individual’s own home or at the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH)’s exercise facilities in Washington, DC. Peer mentors will also work with some of the individuals in combination with their participation in the exercise program. Through consistent participation in this exercise program, we anticipate that unplanned rehospitalizations, “sick” physician visits, and selected secondary conditions, including pressure sores, respiratory complications, depression, and pain, can be diminished or minimized. For information about the study, contact Alison at 202-877-1358 or e-mail alison.m.lichy@medstar.net.

CLASSIFIED

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