As we reflect on the past year, the United Spinal Association’s Northeast Ohio Chapter would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported us throughout 2024. Your dedication to building a strong, connected SCI community across Northeast Ohio has made this year truly special. Thank You for a Successful 2024 Fundraiser! A...Continue Reading

Researchers in the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Home and Community-Based Services at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab are looking for people who receive HCBS to pilot test surveys designed to evaluate the person-centeredness of their services. Participants will undergo a brief screening and consent call (Zoom or phone, unpaid) and will complete two or more 10-minute surveys...Continue Reading

The Power of Connection: 3 Benefits of Meeting Up with Peers Are you looking for a way to connect with others in your community? Join us for our first “Connect-In the Community” Meet-Up on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 4 PM at FatHeads Brewery in Middleburg Heights! This informal gathering is perfect for socializing, building...Continue Reading

by Kim Anderson, PhD What is SeePain? Chronic pain is something that, unfortunately, many people with SCI live with.  In fact, up to 80% of people with SCI develop some kind of pain within the first year of injury.  Chronic pain is pain that lasts for at least three months, and oftentimes it lasts for...Continue Reading

MetroHealth is thrilled to announce the return of its annual Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Forum, an educational and empowering event designed specifically for individuals living with spinal cord injuries and related disorders. The 2025 SCI Forum will take place on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST. Mark your calendars and...Continue Reading

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, the Board of the United Spinal Association’s Northeast Ohio Chapter would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our chapter members. We’re thankful to celebrate another year of building our chapter’s membership and support for the SCI community in Northeast Ohio. SCI Forum Recap In September, we attended MetroHealth’s...Continue Reading

Summer 2024 Chapter Update Our chapter has been busy this summer! Thank you to our chapter members who joined us at the Car Show and Cook out in June, and to those who participated in our 2024 Community Event Ticket Program. If you haven’t had the chance to join one of our events yet this...Continue Reading

Let’s talk Mental Health!  Mental Health awareness is about recognizing the impact of trauma on overall wellbeing.  Did you know that studies have found spinal cord injury (SCI)  increases the risk of mental health disorders?  You are truly not alone if you struggle with a mental health disorder. It’s okay not to be okay! Depression...Continue Reading

Healthy living is a comprehensive approach to well-being that embodies various aspects of mental, emotional, and physical health. It can involve a range of practices beyond diet and exercise. Allowing yourself to explore alternative therapies can assist with pain management, stress, and overall body balance. Here are a few alternative methods for you to try. Continue Reading

Peristalsis is the involuntary muscular contraction that moves digested food through the intestines.  Spinal cord injury (SCI) changes your peristalsis.  Instead of food passing through the body every 18-24 hours after eating a meal, for those with spinal cord injury it can be up to twice as long. Regular bowel movements are essential to remove...Continue Reading