We hope everyone is staying warm and digging themselves out from the winter storm that kicked off 2026! This year, we’re looking forward to a year of growth for our chapter and more fun events for Northeast Ohio’s SCI community – and we can’t wait for the sun to re-emerge for many of the fun events to come in the warmer months.
Early 2026 highlights
Connect-In the Community Meetups
We brought our Connect-In the Community Meetups program back in 2026, hosting our first meetup of the year at the Winking Lizard in Independence in February. These outings offer chapter members an opportunity to build connections with one another, sharing experiences, drinks, and apps in a casual setting. We’re still planning two more Connect-in the Community meetups – one in May and another in September. We like to host these casual events in different locations across Northeast Ohio so they’re accessible to all our chapter members, and we’d love to plan the next one at your favorite local spot. Please email us at unitedspinalneo@gmail.com to let us know where we should go next!
Connect‑In Peer Mentoring
A strong support system is essential for anyone navigating life after an SCI, and our Connect‑In Peer Mentoring program helps make those connections possible. The program pairs members to build meaningful relationships and share real‑life insights from their personal experiences.
Participants must be at least 18 years old. If you’d like to be matched with a mentor, apply here. If you’re at least one year post‑injury and interested in mentoring a peer, you can submit an application here.
USANEO monthly meetings
As always, our monthly chapter meetings are on the third Monday of each month, at 7pm. No need to venture out into the cold to join, you can participate in our virtual meetings from the comfort of your own home – find the Zoom registration link for our next meeting on our calendar page.
This year, we’re shifting our meetings’ structure a bit to offer more social hours for our USANEO chapter community. We have a couple speakers planned this year, like Dr. Rob Hoey and Dr. Kim Anderson, who will be sharing an update on their BNS bowel study, and Dr. Anne Bryden, who will join us for a discussion about finding resources for living with SCI. If there’s a particular topic you’d like covered during one of these meetings, please feel free to let us know by emailing us at unitedspinalneo@gmail.com.
Recordings of the educational presentations featured in previous meetings are available on our YouTube channel.
Upcoming chapter events
We’re pleased to bring back our mainstay in-person events after the success we saw in 2025, and maybe even plan a new one! Stay tuned for details.
Here’s a run of show for the events we’re planning this year:
Car Show & Cook Out
W’ere hosting another Car Show & Cook Out on June 13, 2026, from 12-3pm at MetroHealth’s OBC Campus. We’re looking forward to our third annual Cruise-In Style get‑together! Join us for a grill-out lunch and a chance to learn about MetroHealth’s Driving Program. Choosing adaptive driving options after an SCI can be overwhelming, so we’re bringing the experts to you, along with a fun car show featuring chapter members’ vehicles.
Handcycle & Picnic in the Park
We’re already looking forward to our fifth annual Handcycle & Picnic in the Park on Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 11am-3pm at the Cottonwood Reserved Shelter in the Metroparks. If you just can’t wait for the picnic to try out one of our handcycles – a combination of low-riding and upright bikes – you can email us any time at unitedspinalneo@gmail.com to borrow one for up to 30 days. We have several handcycles that are available for you to borrow if you can transfer (or can be assisted with transferring) through our equipment lending program.
MetroHealth Annual SCI Forum
This year’s SCI forum will be held at the Rammelkamp Atrium at MetroHealth’s Main Campus. We’re still planning the date and content for this forum, and we’d love to hear your suggestions for what topics and educational opportunities would be the most relevant and valuable for you. Please feel free to reach out with recommendations as we plan this year’s forum, and watch the replay of the 2024 forum here.
A Night of Trivia Fundraiser
Our 7th Annual Night of Trivia Fundraiser will be on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Each year, our end-of-the-year fundraisers enable us to celebrate the growth our chapter has seen. We’re looking forward to another celebration this year – details coming soon!
The strong turnout and engagement at our 2025 events highlighted just how meaningful (and fun!) these gatherings are for anyone navigating SCI – including chapter members, families, friends, and caregivers. We’ll share the registration links for our 2026 events as we get closer to the date. You can get the latest updates about our events and other programming by following us on Facebook or checking our calendar page.
Get involved and help shape our 2026 programming!
As we continue planning for 2026, we’d love your input on the events, programs, and resources that matter most to you. Whether you’re interested in adaptive recreation, social outings, peer groups, or educational workshops, your feedback helps guide our planning and ensures we’re meeting the needs of the Northeast Ohio SCI community.
We’re also looking for passionate members to join our leadership team or volunteer at events this year. If you’re interested in helping shape the chapter’s future or exploring new leadership and volunteer opportunities, we’d love to connect with you.
We wouldn’t be able to serve Northeast Ohio’s SCI community without our chapter members and your continued support. To share ideas, get involved, or learn more, email us anytime at unitedspinalneo@gmail.com.
Here’s to building an even stronger, more connected 2026 together!
