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

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

Sami Ullah, MDA medical condition called autonomic dysreflexia (AD) can happen to people who have had a spinal cord injury, especially if the injury is above the T6 level. It is marked by a quick rise in blood pressure that could be dangerous and needs to be treated right away. Here are some useful tips...Continue Reading

The Model System Knowledge and Translation Center (MSKTC) is a national center that helps facilitate the knowledge translation process to make research meaningful to those with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Burn Injury. Last newsletter, we featured the Factsheet on mental health awareness.  This month, we wanted to feature a source on adaptive...Continue Reading

by Kim Anderson, PhD It can be scary to think about navigating various transportation options while living with a spinal cord injury (SCI), but getting out of your home can lead to some really wonderful life experiences.  Start with small steps and build your confidence with each experience.  The first step is learning about all...Continue Reading

By Megan Hammond Nechols If you do have access to a private car, truck, van, or other vehicle (we will use ‘car’ for this article), the possibilities are endless. Traveling by car offers freedom and flexibility, but it can also present unique challenges for those living with spinal cord injuries. Ensuring comfort, safety, and accessibility...Continue Reading

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at risk of pneumonia and other respiratory infections, such as COVID-19.  Your level of injury and time since injury impact the function of your respiratory system.  Good nutrition can help decrease your risk of respiratory infections and aid in the treatment of infections when they occur.   While antibiotics...Continue Reading

A pressure injury is a wound caused by constant pressure on the skin.  As a person with a spinal cord injury (SCI), the risk of getting a pressure injury is very high. Pressure injuries can develop in just a few days or even a few hours, they don’t heal like normal skin, and a person...Continue Reading

The Model System Knowledge and Translation Center (MSKTC) is a national center that helps facilitate the knowledge translation process to make research meaningful to those with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Burn Injury. In previous articles, we have featured the Factsheets on Autonomic Dysreflexia, Managing Pain, Wheelchair Information, and more.  The next resource...Continue Reading