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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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Zachary Smith - T1 incomplete since 2013 - car acc

Zachary Smith - T1 incomplete since 2013 - car accident Here is some amazing art by Zachary Smith! Between cooking professionally and building a portfolio as an aspiring artist, Zachary was just living life and going about his day to day. That all changed instantly when a drunk driver rear ended his car one night leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. A three year battle with hardware-related infections took a toll on Zachary’s physical and mental state. Overtime he found his way through these hardships and reclaimed his passions for art and creativity. New passions for psychology and personal growth emerged as well and Zachary is now enrolled at PSU for clinical rehabilitation therapy. Talk about turning hardships into assets! What advice would Zachary give himself in the early days of his injury? “Be patient with yourself. Be patient with your body and mind. You have nothing to prove to anyone and you don't need to measure your progress and abilities to what others have accomplished. As long as you keep trying, progress will happen” You can follow Zachary Smith and see more of his art at @2dtreats #art #artist #paplegicartist #diabledsrtist #therapy #rehabilitationtherapy #paralyzed #spinalcordinjury #spinalcord #spinalcordinjuryawareness #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #wheelchair #wheelchairdontcare #wheelchairability #wheelchairlife #wheelchairlifestyle #wheelchairuser #disability #ability #disabilityawareness #disabilityinclusion #enablednotdisabled #lifegoeson #overcoming #thrive #thriving #motivation #adapt #adaptive #iamadaptive

We are distributing over $233,000 in CARES Act gra

Are you wondering where you can find a COVID-19 te

Are you wondering where you can find a COVID-19 testing site? OHA has partnered with Google, Castlight and local public health authorities to help you locate where to find local testing availability. Visit https://govstatus.egov.com/or-oha-covid-19-testing and follow instructions to use the interactive map.

Here is what to expect when/if you were to come in

Here is what to expect when/if you were to come into contact with an individual carrying the CODVID-19 virus. Now is the time to be extra precautious and look out for yourself and others.

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

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