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We promote health, build community, and create opportunity
for people affected by spinal cord injury.

Our goal is to ensure everyone who sustains a spinal cord injury has the care and community they need to thrive.

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After doing a hurried evacuation earlier this week

After doing a hurried evacuation earlier this week I now realize the importance of having a pre packed go-bag. My additional needs as a paraplegic left me feeling overwhelmed as I threw box after box of medical supplies haphazardly into the truck hoping not to forget anything. I was more fortunate than many and my house was spared and being back home offered an opportunity to calmly pack. I would like to share my method and encourage everyone in the fire zones to prepare themselves as well. Those of us with medical issues have more to think about. During crisis it's difficult to think clearly. Prepare yourself. Everyone's bag will look different. Feel free to share yours in the comments. #evacuation #evacuationplan #paraplegic #quadraplegic #gobag #paralyzed #spinalcordinjury #disability #disabilityawareness #preparedness #specialneeds

Francisco Elias - T7 since sept 2007 - Car acciden

Francisco Elias - T7 since sept 2007 - Car accident Here are some lovely pictures of @francisco_elias213 enjoying time with his family! Before 2007 Francisco was self admittedly hanging out with the wrong crowd. “I was bad”. That was all about to change. A night of partying and a few fateful decisions resulted in Francisco being paralyzed from the chest down. He was told he’d never walk again but that news did not dampen his joy at being alive. He had a second chance. Francisco quickly turned his life around and has since developed many new hobbies and passions. He is an amazing musician, playing keyboard at weddings and other gatherings. Cars are also a passion of his. You can often find him fixing up trucks and big ‘ol muscle cars. Cars are not just a side gig, He is also a long time lyft driver. What advice would Francisco give himself at the time of his injury? He would tell himself not to worry what other people think of the chair just be yourself. Look for things to get involved with in the community. Don’t be scared wondering what life will be like, you can still live the life you want. “My limitations were more my thoughts than my body. Also try to look for help if you want it and not wait.” #adaptivemusician #paralyzed #spinalcordinjury #spinalcord #spinalcordinjuryawareness #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #wheelchair #wheelchairdontcare #wheelchairability #wheelchairlife #wheelchairlifestyle #wheelchairuser #disability #ability #disabilityawareness #disabilityinclusion #enablednotdisabled #lifegoeson #overcoming #thrive #thriving #motivation #adapt #adaptive #iamadaptive

Dear friends of OSCI, Would you consider supporti

Dear friends of OSCI, Would you consider supporting OSCI’s strategic planning efforts by participating in one of our four focus groups? The data from our focus groups will guide our strategic planning and chart OSCI’s future. We will be hosting four Zoom focus groups involving individuals from around the state. These will allow us to get deeper insight into what the SCI community needs so we can set priorities for our short- and long-term program goals and activities. We want you to feel comfortable and safe, as well as have enough time to share your experience during these conversations, so each focus group will be capped at 6 participants and will run approximately 2 hours. While the Zoom focus group discussions will be recorded to ensure we can accurately track all the important themes, the facilitators and the final report will guard the anonymity of the participants. The focus group sessions will be held during the month of September and participants will receive a stipend of $50 for participating. If you are interested, please click on the link below and fill out the OSCI Zoom Focus Group application form, and if you have questions, please contact our consultant David Cohen (David@blair-morgan.com). https://forms.gle/gbiwKNS6y8FpmHHs9 To our health, community, and new opportunity! The Board of Directors

Johnny Wheels: C5 incomplete since 1996 - diving i

Johnny Wheels: C5 incomplete since 1996 - diving incident Here are some energizing photos of Johnny rocking out with his band Swamp Donkeys Born into a family of musicians, Johnny had been playing guitar, drums, and bass from a very young age. After his injury he set out to learn how he could continue playing music. He tried taping drum sticks to his hands and experimenting with guitar but found it impossible to play how he wanted. After a while of singing in jam sessions with friends, Johnny started to learn harmonica. With no core control and limited lung control, he figured out a way to boost his lung power by using his torso like an accordian. Now a touring musician Johnny enjoys being on stage with his band and feels in those moments that the playing field is truly even. What advice would Johnny give himself at the time of his injury? Well, at the time of his injury he was giving everyone else advice! He would roll through Shriners rehab facility encouraging other kids to get out of bed. He insisted on not spending his mindspace grieving or feeling sorry for himself. Just get into the chair and see what you can do! “Pay attention to your body, slow down. Don't get ‘stuck’ in a wheelchair, you can do whatever you want to do. Don't give up and don't think you're invincible.” You can follow johnny wheels at @thejohnnywheels And his band Swamp Donkeys at www.johnnywheelsband.com #oregonsci #musician #blues #performingmusician #harmonica #bluesharmonica #adaptivemusician #quadriplegicmusician #spinalcordinjury #spinalcord #spinalcordinjuryawareness #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #wheelchair #wheelchairdontcare #wheelchairability #wheelchairlife #wheelchairuser #disability #ability #disabilityawareness #disabilityinclusion #enablednotdisabled #lifegoeson #thrive #thriving #motivation #adapt #adaptive #iamadaptive

REPOST: Oregon Health Authority If you have any t

REPOST: Oregon Health Authority If you have any tips regarding mask wearing and social distancing to offer others in the SCI community, drop them in the comments!

Aarynn Cypher - thoracic incomplete - since birth

Aarynn Cypher - thoracic incomplete - since birth Here are some fun pictures of Aarynn out and about spreading disability awareness! As a child Aarynn was diagnosed with cerebral palsy but later in adulthood it was discovered that her disability stemmed from malformed spinal cord or an injury to the spine as an infant. “I have always been someone with apparent physical disability. As a child and into my thirties I was able to walk without any assistance. Although my walking was not considered normal this is how I was ambulatory”. Without warning Aarynn began to lose her balance and began to struggle with walking. “ I was devastated my disability was getting worse and very worried about needing a wheelchair.” the battle became as emotional as it was physical. Self doubt trickled in as she continually worked to regain walking to no avail. Eventually though with and with much trial and error she became accustomed to the chair. Aarynn noticed a huge difference in how she is treated as a wheelchair user compared to a person who walks “differently”. This observation tied into her aim of bringing awareness to those without disabilities. “We are all human and deserve human justice.” She is passionate about people and their stories, and is now in her third year of a masters counseling program. Her focus is on people with disabilities. She actively works to bring cross disability solidarity. What advice would Aarynn give to her younger self? “At the time I was trying too hard to make friendships and be accepted by my community. It does get better. I wish that I could have had someone like a counselor to talk with and be honest about my feelings. Someone who could have helped me establish my values rather than trying to impress others by doing things I thought would bring me friendship. Yes! That's the counselor in me talking!” You can follow Aarynn Cypher at @aarynncypher #counslor #disabilityadvocate #awareness #diversity #paralyzed #spinalcordinjury #spinalcord #spinalcordinjuryawareness #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #wheelchair #wheelchairdontcare #wheelchairability #wheelchairlife #wheelchairlifestyle #wheelchairuser #disability #ability #disabilityawareness

Join our team! We're hiring. We're hiring THREE C

Join our team! We're hiring. We're hiring THREE Community Outreach and Education Coordinators. We welcome applications from Oregonians living with paralysis from across the state. Read more about this position and how to apply at www.OregonSCI.org/employment. #communityhealthworker #COVID #hiring #oregon #spinalcordinjury #paralysis #oregonspinalcordinjuryconnection #OSCI #wheelchairlife #OPVA #paralyzedvets #quadinc @quadinccare

Anna Soens: T12 incomplete since 2014 - rock climb

Anna Soens: T12 incomplete since 2014 - rock climbing incident These epic pictures show Anna Soens enjoying the beautiful places she has always loved! After having a lifestyle consisting of physical motion and incredible vistas Anna was afraid her spinal cord injury would keep her from old passions. “The fear of suddenly losing the ability to reach my favorite remote and wild places was synonymous with the loss of physical mobility and autonomy. This fear fueled an intense drive from early on to figure out whatever means necessary to get to the places that were most important to me.” She is not only back to adaptive versions of her old favorites but has picked up new ones including sit skiing and offroad handcycling. What advice would Anne give herself at the time of her injury? “A wheelchair doesn't mean your future will be confined to the humdrum paths others have paved. You will soon return to the places and experiences you love and discover so many new ones. Keep meeting people and learn from them. Keep pushing your boundaries and questioning what you're ‘supposed’ to do. All of our experiences play a hand in molding us, no single thing, good or bad, defines us” You can follow Anna’s adventures at @peaksandpuddles #oregonsci #sitskiing #handcycle #rockclimbing #mountainclimbing #adventure #adaptiveathlete #adaptiveadventure #wildlifebiology #paralysed #spinalcordinjury #spinalcord #disabilityawareness #spinalcordinjuryawareness #seeus #wheelchairability #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #wheelchairlife #wheelchairgirl #enablednotdisabled #lifegoeson #wheelchairdontcare #paraplegic #parplegicgirl #overcome

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