Newsletter

Often,
we think we are invincible on the water, until suffering an injury that
puts us out of commission temporarily. Temporarily is the key word
here.

We injure ourselves, we recuperate, we ski again.

Waterskiing
for the disabled has become easier over the years with the development
of skis which are more similar to a board, or kneeboard, with a
cushioned seat and pockets to put the feet.

People of all ages and abilities can
enjoy the fun and excitement of waterskiing and all that is needed is a desire to learn and a body of water that can accommodate
a high-speed boat.

For those who are interested in experiencing this sport and participating in the fun and excitement, please contact:

U Can Ski 2 (USA Water Ski – Affiliated Ski Club) at:
email: annsitski@verizon.net
website: www.ucanski2.com

Freedom’s Wings International (FWI) is a non-profit organization run by
and for people with physical disabilities.

They provide the opportunity
for those who are physically challenged to fly in specially adapted
sailplanes, either as a passenger or as a member of the flight training
program.

Soaring is the adventure into the world of silent flight. Sailplanes,
or gliders, are special aircraft which have no engines. Sailplanes are
towed into the sky by a regular airplane and then released for a quiet
glide back to the airport or when conditions permit, sailplane pilots
challenge gravity using natural currents in the air. An introductory
flight generally lasts 20 minutes while an instructional flight, where
pilot and student are working to gain altitude by riding rising thermal
currents, may last for as long as two hours.

Freedom’s Wings International also offers flying sessions which are scheduled seven days a week, weather permitting.
Freedom’s Wings International operates several specially adapted
sailplanes in it’s entry-level and graduate level flying program.
Potential students are screened by flight instructors certified by the
Federal Aviation Administration and receive ground instruction using
FAA approved curricula. The flying season runs from April 1 to December
1 each year. Students from coast to coast and and other countries have
participated in our program. In addition, a limited number of
scholarships are available upon approval of the board of directors.

For those who are interested in flying in the sky’s, please contact:

Freedom’s Wings – Tampa Bay
Raymond D. Temchus, Jr.
699 S. Florida Avenue
Tarpon Springs, Fl 34689
(727) 944 – 5756

www.freedomswings.org

Step It Up Recovery Center, Inc. was established to help those with a spinal cord injury (SCI) improve their daily living – by regaining function and perhaps, even walking again. Our program is modeled after the highly successful Project Walk in Carlsbad, California.

Step It Up offers clients a proven methodology for SCI recovery and extends the program’s reach and affordability to Florida residents and those on the eastern coast of the US.

The foundation of Step It Up’s exercise recovery program was developed out of the Project Walk Dardzinski Method. The Dardzinski Method is a physical training program that targets a dysfunctional nervous system with external stimulation. Without proper stimulation, the human nervous system will not develop properly.

For more information please visit: www.StepItUpRecovery.org

The wheelchair accessible recliner was invented and created by Terry Darling. Terry Darling is a C 5-6 quadriplegic. As most of us have experienced, Terry Darling spent the last 20 yrs hanging out at either the dining table or computer stand. His only alternative comfort, different from his wheelchair, was to go lay down in bed, often falling asleep when all he desired was a short break away from his chair.

Since he started using his Wheelchair Accessible Recliner, he has found many therapeutic advantages including pressure relief and stretching exercises that allowed him to feel better and be more active.

How it Works …
The front bottom bar is easily backed over and works as a wheel chock to keep the chair stable when you are in the reclined position. The recliner can also be equipped with a short ramp. Exiting the recliner is done by simply pulling forward on the armrest and the chair pops out.

Two Recliner options are available in a variety of colors for easy matching of your already home decor.

1. Fully Upholstered Wheelchair Recliner w/ an electric actuator and remote control

2. Open Frame Wheelchair Recliner

For more information, please visit: www.WcAccessRecliner.com

Find the Career you’ve been looking for at the Internal Revenue Services (IRS).

Join the IRS team at one of the most technologically sophisticated federal employers, with many jobs to match your interest and skills.

Explore a Career In:

• Accounting
• Management
• Systems Analysis
• Customer Service
• Information Technology
  
• Collection
• Data Processing
  
• Administrative
• Law Enforcement
• Law
  
• Finance

Enjoy Outstanding Benefits:

• Stable Employment
• Great balance between work and life
• Excellent insurance, retirement, and a flexible spending account
• Financial help with continuing education

For more information: www.irs.gov (search: “Disability”)

Regular health care is an important part of quality of life for all women, but for those of us with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), the right care is often difficult to find. Information pertaining to the unique medical needs and health concerns of women living with SCI/D is not always readily available.

What follows is a useful checklist, not only for your personal information, but also for educating your primary care provider on what he or she needs to know about the specific or unique health care needs of women with SCI/D.

Monthly

• Self – breast Examination

Every Six Months

• Teeth Cleaning and Dental Examination

Yearly

• Physical Examination
• Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear
• Sexually Transmitted Disease Screening
• Breast Examination
• Vital Signs (blood pressure, heart rate, & respiration rate)
• Skin Check by a Clinician
• Vision Examination & Glaucoma Screening
• Laboratory Tests (blood tests – CBS & chemistry panel, lipids & fasting blood sugar) (Urinalysis & urine culture) (Urodynamics, if indicated)

Discuss with your provider

• Your risk for heart disease and diabetes
• Bladder cancer screening, particularly if you use an indwelling catheter
• Your risk for osteoporosis
• Unique side affects & impacts of all birth control options

At age 40

• Baseline Mammogram – Be sure to ask for a clinic w/ wheelchair accessible machines

Age 40 – 49

• Mammogram – every 1-2 years

Age 50 & Older

• Mammogram – every year
• Colonoscopy – every 5 years

Health Tips
Healthy living requires attention to your physical, emotional, and cognitive health. Here is a list of key ways to decrease risk of health problems while increasing overall health & happiness!

Body

• Eat a balanced diet (high fiber – limit red meat to 3-4 times a week – limit consumption of fats and sugar
• Control weight
  
• Exercise at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes
• Monthly self – breast examinations
• Limit alcohol use *
• Limit caffeine use *
• Check skin daily for signs of breakdown (early pressure ulcers)
• Use sunscreen
• Practice safe sex
• Take medications as prescribed
  
• Don’t smoke or be around smoke *
  
• Don’t use illicit drugs

Mind

• Read regularly
• Work puzzles
• Use a calendar
• Pay attention
• Keep up with current events
• Take notes

* Caffeine, alcohol, and cigarette smoking deplete calcium and are risk factors to breast and bladder cancer & osteoporosis

Emotional / Social

• Get together with friends regularly
• Laugh a lot
• Look forward to something every day
• Forgive and forget
• Adopt a positive attitude
• Problem solve
• Look for ways to provide community service
  

• Circulatory problems
• Joint Pain
• Sugar level management
• Weight management
• Metabolism Disorders
• Low energy
• Headaches
• Mental Accuity
• Memory Disorders

If you are concerned about any of these conditions or other chronic illnesses, your diet may lack essential nutrients.

Reliv has a line of nutritional products that have been helping people improve their health worldwide for the past 20 years.

If interested in learning more about what RELIV can do for you, visit: www.relivhealthforlife.com