SIA Advice Line Factsheet - Buying Second Hand Equipment

There are a number of free factsheets to download from the SIA website, amongst which is the recently updated Buying and Selling Secondhand Equipment.  A new item has been added to this factsheet giving details about the mobility market website www.themobilitymarket.co.uk  The website is specifically designed for users and their families/relatives for the sale of unwanted, used, or surplus mobility equipment.

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Career Planning

The Aimhigher service is offering career mentoring for SCI people who wish to pursue study in higher and further education. Aimhigher plan to have a one day seminar in the autumn at Stoke Mandeville Hospital which will feature input from SCI people who have completed further education and have successfully returned to work. If you would like to get involved or find out more, please contact our Employment Advisor, John Leonard, at SIA on 0845 678 6633 ext 216 or email to j.leonard@spinal.co.uk.

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Work Opportunity

We're still trying to gauge interest in our idea to set up a home-based audio typing service for a large legal firm. Working from your home computer, you will be given access to a database of work that needs to be typed and submitted. All you would need is a computer and a Broadband connection. Payment would be at the commercial 'going rate' per hour and the work can be fitted around your other commitments.

We need to know if there is enough interest in this idea by the end of July, so if you're spinal cord injured and think this is for you, please get in touch (without any commitment on your part) with our Employment Adviser, John Leonard at SIA on 0845 678 6633 ext 216 or email to j.leonard@spinal.co.uk.

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SIA Vacancy

Spinal Injuries Association is a National Charity based in a pleasant and accessible working environment in Milton Keynes (with free parking). We require a full time Advice Line Officer to join our busy Advice Line team. In addition to dealing with general enquiries to the Advice Line, the successful candidate will also be required to offer specialist health information to callers and compile factsheets and other written information for our magazine, website and email bulletin. With good communications skills, the ability to network and forge links with stakeholders, the Advice Line Officer will have a strong background in information giving, will be aware of the particular health needs of disabled people who are primarily wheelchair users, and will also have experience in a health related environment.

We offer a salary of £19,679 plus pension scheme and 25 days annual leave. Applicants preferring to job-share will be considered. For an Application Pack, contact us on 0845 6786633 or e-mail sia@spinal.co.uk

Closing date for completed applications is 3 August 2007

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New SIA Publication!

Our thanks to Ferno (UK), leading suppliers of transfer equipment for critically injured people, who have kindly supported the production of our new book Managing Spinal Cord Injury: The First 48 Hours edited by Paul Harrison. This is essential reading for medical staff who work at the scene of an accident, or in an A&E Department. Price £15 (including postage & packing).

Click here to purchase a copy

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SIA National Library on SCI

At the SIA National Library on SCI, we continue to add interesting and varied publications to the collection. Here is a selection of our recent additions:

Higher Purpose by Tom Whitaker, 2001. Published by LifeLine Press. ISBN: 0895261995 - this is Tom Whitakers story of being the first Disabled Man to Conquer Everest.

Families Living with Chronic Illness and Disability by Paul Power & Arthur Dell Orto, 2004. Published by Springer Publishing Co. ISBN: 0826155812 - this book has been written to help families manage an intense medical-related event. They explain that a family-orientated life and living perspective should be combined with a family intervention philosophy in order to manage the situation.

Assistive Technology: Matching Device and Consumer for Successful Rehabilitation by Marcia J. Scherer (Editor), 2003. Publisher, American Psychological Association. ISBN: 9781557988409 - this book describes a broad array of contemporary viewpoints covering the theme of assertive technology (AT). It contains case studies, current research and practical recommendations useful to both rehabilitation professionals and consumers.

Female Forms: Experiencing and Understanding Disability by Carole Thomas, 1999. Publisher, Open University Press. ISBN: 0335196934 - this Book explores and develops ideas about disability. It explores the debates in disability studies to find out what disability is and how to theorize it.

Psychological Management of Physical Disabilities - A Practitioners Guide by Paul Kennedy, 2007. Published by Routledge. ISBN: 9781583917138 - this book provides a guide to the practices and approaches for management of physical disabilities in healthcare delivery. It explains how and why psychological models and research can help rehabilitation and improve individuals well being.

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SIA Annual General Meeting

This year's AGM takes place on 29 September at the National Centre for Deafblindness, Peterborough. The afternoon session will be a Campaigning for Change debate, during which members will have the opportunity to discuss issues related to the preservation of specialist services at SCI Centres.

A full programme for the day is available on the SIA website, and we look forward to welcoming as many members as possible. Contact Bernie Murphy at the SIA office to register your attendance.

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Governing Council Election - Your Association Needs You!!

The SIA Governing Council (GC) is composed of spinal cord injured people and meets four times a year to set policy, help develop plans and objectives, as well as monitoring the effectiveness of the organisation. Each year, one third of the current GC is required to retire, but may offer themselves for re-election.

We are also looking for new nominations from amongst the full membership (i.e. those who are spinal cord injured) for fresh ideas and experiences. If you would like to put yourself forward for election to the Governing Council, then why not download a Nomination form, fill it in and return it to the SIA office along with a 'thumbnail' sketch (200 words) about yourself, your interests, skills and experiences. Closing date for nominations is 31st July 2007.

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Health Matters - Stealth Attack

According to Pushin On, a publication from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Model SCI System of Care, there is a 'new' type of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) on the loose. The new kid on the block is known as Silent Autonomic Dysreflexia and its name gives its nature away. It shows significant elevation in blood pressure just as with AD but without the other associated signs and symptoms. Research has shown that it occurs during routine bowel management programs and urination. Researchers are now working out how to prevent it and which treatments will be most effective.
 

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Ageing Well Survey

The Ageing Well Survey, aimed at SCI people who are over 50 years of age and have been injured for 10 years or more, has already been emailed to those members registering an email address with us, and will be posted out to members for whom we don't have an email address. This survey will provide SIA with important information about the challenges and life-style changes experienced as people age with a SCI.

The survey may also be completed by non-members by visiting our web site and following the link under the Ageing with a SCI section. Questions regarding the survey can be emailed to Joy Sinclair at the SIA office

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Ageing Well with Exercise

The summer is surely just around the corner!! We all feel better during the summer months (when the sun shines that is) and this is an ideal time to start or restart an exercise routine. The benefits of physical activity as you age include:

• Increase or maintain strength
• Increase or maintain aerobic endurance – this aids general stamina
• Increase or maintain flexibility
• Improve posture and body shape – aids balance reducing risk of falling from chair
• Other benefits include weight control, improved bladder function, improved sleep, improved self-esteem.

You could:

• Stretch – through yoga and Tai Chi
• Swim – one of the best all–rounders
• Use a Video/DVD
• Play Bowls – with a friend

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Campaigning for Change Debates

The next Campaigning for Change Roadshow event will be held on Wednesday 25 July 2007, 10.45 am - 4.20 pm at Pioneering Care Centre, Cobblers Hall, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. Come along to air your views and concerns directly to the Public Affairs Team so that we can feed them into SIA's campaigning activity. To book a place either email cfc@spinal.co.uk or phone the Public Affairs Team on 0845 678 6633

So, put the dates in your diary now and look out for your invite in the mail soon. For more information on SIA's campaigning activities, visit the Campaigning section of the new site.

Visit the Pioneering Care Centre for details of their facilities.

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Smoke Free

The new Smoke free law came into effect on 1 July 2007. Find out whether this will affect your rights to smoke in your own home when you have Personal Assistants or Carers working for you by visiting www.smokefreeengland.co.uk where you will also find more general information on the smoking ban.  

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Stop Press – Forthcoming Event!

The 4th Black Pearl Ball & Charity Golf Tournament – Friday 5th October 2007 – The De Vere Belfry, Birmingham

The Black Pearl Ball committee, who brought you £Gangsters and Molls£ in 2006, are this year hosting a glamorous black-tie evening in aid of SIA. To be held in the elegant £Woodlands Suite£ of the De Vere Belfry, this is one of the most glamorous razzle-dazzle nights of fine dining and entertainment in the Midlands.

Tables of 10 @ £750 to include Champagne, three course dinner, wine and entertainment. Book yours now to avoid disappointment!

Contact Jenny Papple at SIA to reserve your table or call 0845 678 6633 x 224

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Swim-Bike-Run for SIA!

Do you have family or friends who would like to get fit and help us raise money at the same time?

We are looking for runners, swimmers and cyclists to sign up for a brilliant time at the Michelob London Triathlon. This is a fantastic event for all fitness levels - from first-timers right up to elite athletes - and we would love to hear from individuals or teams of three people willing to take part.

Beginners and intermediate athletes compete on Saturday August 4th and more experienced competitors on Sunday August 5th.  Hosted by London's ExCel in the heart of Docklands, this is the biggest Triathlon event in the world a huge interactive sports and fitness zone and health exhibitions will be available for everyone to join in.  The closing date for entering is the end of June.

Something less challenging, but none the less very exciting, is the Lucozade Hydro Active Women's Challenge. This 5k run is held on the 16 September in Birmingham, Liverpool and London. 

For more details of either event please contact SIA on 0845 071 4350, or email SIA£s Team Events Manager, Mike McCann, or visit our website

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Wheelchair Sports

As the official Charity for the 2008 Flora London Marathon, SIA is hoping to use this opportunity to attract media coverage and raise awareness of our work, and of our new project Rebuilding Lives Through Sport (RLTS). 

This new sports project is aimed at injecting much-needed funds into wheelchair sports, which will come from some of the money raised by our 2008 marathon runners.

To attract media interest in the RLTS project, and to tailor news stories to particular news outlets, we want to focus on real stories about wheelchair sports - why sport is important and what impact it can have - from grassroots level right up to elite athletes.

If you are involved in wheelchair sport and would like to tell us about your experiences and hopes for the future, please contact Leslie Jewell at SIA on 0845 678 6633 ext 222 or email her at l.jewell@spinal.co.uk

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SIA Financial Services (SIAFS)

Need financial advice? SIAFS can help! SIA has teamed up with AWD Chase de Vere to offer a comprehensive new service for our members, their friends and family, namely SIA Financial Services (SIAFS).  SIAFS will be able to advise on a range of topics including:

• Lump Sum Investments
• Periodical Payments
• Structured Settlements
• Personal Injury Trusts
• Benefits Entitlement Provision
• Specialist Portfolio Management
• Regular Savings
• Mortgages / re-mortgages
• Pensions Retirement Options
• Life Assurance Income Protection
• Estate Planning
• School Fees Planning, and more!

Just call 0844 800 9562 for more information and to arrange your no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation with an experienced advisor, or visit www.siafs.com for further details.

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Stoke Mandeville to Stanmore Cycle Ride

On Sunday 15th July at 9.30am a team of intrepid cyclists will be setting off from the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC) at Stoke Mandeville on a 32 mile ride to the Stanmore Spinal Injuries Centre. The team from the NSIC will be made up of seven members of staff and two SIA Peer Support Volunteers (Jim Kelly and Donna Taylor).

There will be cyclists going in both directions between each SCI Centre and the hand-cyclists have set themselves the task of completing 140 laps of the track at the Guttmann Stadium. The event will raise money for Medicinema (a registered charity providing a ‘cinema experience’ for patients and their families within the hospital environment) and ASPIRE (a national spinal cord injury charity).

Anyone wishing to sponsor the NSIC team can register their name and the amount they wish to sponsor with the administration office on 01296 315817 or e-mail Susan Holder at Stoke Mandeville. You may also wish to cheer the participants on along the route, or encourage the hand-cyclists at the Guttmann Stadium. Those wishing to see them off on their journey at 9.30am will be more than welcome and if you want to provide some change of ‘scenery’ at the stadium for the hand-cyclists during the day, please feel free; 140 laps is a very long, tedious route!

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Celebrating 50 Years

SIA Peer Support volunteer Roy Everson became paraplegic on June 16th 1957. To mark the occasion the Peer Support team at Stoke Mandeville Spinal Centre held a raffle over one week and and managed to raise £330 for the Medicinema and new Research Foundation appeal. Roy informs us that the amount they raised was worth £3 million!

The team wish to thank everyone for their support, and also Roy for donating the prizes.  Prize winners were Jim Kelly (1st prize - a very nice box of chocolates from M&S) and Richard from St. Joseph£s ward (2nd prize - a bottle of wine).

When asked if he had any tips to pass on to his peers, Roy said £clean living and being celibate£.  Yeah, right!!!!!!!!!

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On A Final Note

The next issue of e-clips will be circulated in September. If you missed out on previous issues of e-clips you can download them from here. If have any comments or feedback about e-clips, please email our Web Panel who are happy to receive your correspondence.  If you have enjoyed reading e-clips why not send it to a friend so that they can register to receive their own copy.