Wha'ever... A Teenagers Guide to Spinal Cord Injury

On the 31^st August we launched "Wha'ever… A Teenagers' Guide to Spinal Cord Injury". This book, written by Meg Harper and supported by the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, is a guide for young people who are adapting to their new lives with SCI. As you’ll have seen in Issue 79 of Forward there are a whole range of issues that affect the next generation of SCI individuals and this book offers advice on topics ranging from diet and nutrition to fashion!

The book launch was featured on BBC News 24 who interviewed two of SIAs young members, Emily Leyden and Jason Alner, about "Wha'ever" outside Kensington Palace on August 31st.

Alongside the books release we have launched a new Young Peoples Area on our website.

European Disability Rights Forum

Sign up for disability rights in Europe. One minute of your time can change the lives of more than 50 million European citizens with disabilities.

Make your voice heard

Commission for Equality and Human Right

Due to be launched in October, the CEHR will bring together the three existing equality commissions for disability, equal opportunities and racial equality to provide a centralised source of advice and information on race, gender and disability equality, as well as promoting issues around religion, age and sexual orientation.

For more information visit the website

Text for Advice

For all you mobile phone addicts, SIA has introduced a text messaging service as another easy way of contacting the Advice Line with your enquiries...

read more

Text sia and your enquiry to 81025

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Exclusive Test Drives by Invitation Only at Millbrook

Martin Conquest is the manufacturer of the world's only high performance ride from wheelchair motorcycle.  In conjunction with SIA, you are personally invited to join us at the country's most prestigious automotive test venue, Millbrook Proving Ground at Bedford to drive the Conquest.  This is a unique opportunity to test the Conquest in an exciting and safe environment. 

To book, email Gary Rowlands, or phone Gary Rowlands or Leon Cavendish on  0161 351 0324 

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Department of Health Consultation events

Commissioning for People with Long Term Conditions (LTC).Tues.18 Sept. Leeds ; Wed.19 Sept  London. These events aim to re-energise and re-focus the health and social care sector about the LTC strategy and its future direction. Aimed at Commissioners, NHS & Social Care Managers, Clinicians, Community Matrons, Case Managers, Professional Stakeholder groups and the voluntary sector. Places are free to NHS staff and people working within health, social care, public and voluntary sectors.

Further details

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Parliamentary lobby

The Our Lives, Our Choices (OLOC) coalition is coordinating a mass lobby of Parliament on Wed. 17 October. Show your support for the Independent Living Bill, before its second reading in the Commons, prior to the Queen’s speech announcing the Government's agenda for the coming year - a critical time to influence the Government.

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Calling all members

SIA has three race days coming up in Newcastle, Wincanton and Bangor-On-Dee. We need help on the day with our fundraising activities. If you can give an afternoon of your time to help out, it’s also a great chance to see some racing too.

Wednesday 3rd Oct Newcastle Races 2.10pm till 5.10pm + charity race

Sunday 28th Oct Wincanton Races 1.40pm till approx 5.00pm + charity race

Wednesday 14th Nov Bangor-On-Dee Races 1.20pm till 3.50pm + charity race

All the events have SIA staff on hand to inform you of what is required.

If you require any more information then please email Pete Gardiner

Ageing Well Survey

A big thank you from Joy Sinclair, Ageing Well Project Worker, to all of you who kindly took the time and trouble to complete the Ageing Well Survey. We are delighted to report there has been a huge response to the survey. We look forward to analysing the results and reporting back to you soon. Members have been very candid with remarks about their lives and partners too have written openly about how their husband / wife / partner's SCI has affected them personally.

Thanks again.

Transforming Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services

Transforming Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services Programme (TCEWS) was established in June 2006 to develop greater efficiencies in the delivery of Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services in England. TCEWS are now requesting feedback from wheelchair users as part of the ongoing data gathering exercise. The data, when analysed and collated, will lead to an Outline Business Case which is to be presented to the Minister, Ivan Lewis, in December this year.

If you would like to have your say then download the questionnaire here.

Submissions will be accepted until the end of November 2007. However, data collected by the middle of September will be of particular interest to the Programme team who will be developing a series of workshops to be held in late September and October 07.

If you would like to find out more about the project then visit the website.

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Grants Briefing

Over the last few months Motability has been modernising its service to customers applying for financial assistance.  The key decision taken was for the vast majority of applications to be dealt with over the telephone.  All the evidence from customers has supported Motabilty's view that this is the quickest and most efficient way to improve their service for customers applying for grants .... read more

Transport for London: 6 month work placement opportunity

Transport for London (TfL) was created in 2000 as the integrated body responsible for the Capital's transport system. The primary role of TfL is to implement the Mayor's Transport Strategy and manage transport services across the Capital.

Within TfL, the Traffic Manager's Office (TMO) provides the tools and services to enable improvement in how the streets are managed and operated. The team is a nationally recognised centre of excellence for turning ideas into innovation.

The TMO has a 6 month paid work placement opportunity. The role supports TfL’s Traffic Manager and the work of the Traffic Manager's Office in enabling improvement in London’s response to the Traffic Management Act, specifically by engaging and supporting London boroughs, utility companies and other key internal and external stakeholders in the tools and best practice in a way that helps build long-term relationships.

For more information about this opportunity please contact SIA's Employment Advisor, John Leonard either by email or on 0845 678 6633 ext 216

Have your say about the Arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and incontinence appliances - and related services - to primary care: revised proposals

You will recall earlier this year that SIA brought to your attention a consultation exercise which looked at continence and stoma appliances that are provided on prescription under Part IX of the Drug Tariff. Products covered by this include such items as leg bags, sheaths, catheters, stoma bags etc but not continence products such as pads and pants. The position taken by the Department of Health at that time was that only stoma patients required dispensing in the form of home delivery and complimentary supplies. (I am pleased to report that they have had a change of heart and now recognise the need.)

Read more

Triathlon World Championships 2008, Vancouver.

This year at the Triathlon World Championships at Hamburg, Britain only put forward one participant who was an athlete with a disability (AWAD), and next year there may only be four. This is something that physiotherapist and triathlon coach, Barry Craven, is looking to change.

Barry is looking to train what he hopes will become medal award winning triathlon athletes to wear the GB vest in the Triathlon World Championships in Vancouver next year. He is looking for AWADs to join him on a training course in Malta where they can get intensive training in the 1500m swim, 40km cycle and 10km run that comprises an Olympic length triathlon.

The course will take place from the 7th to 16th October and will cost approximately £450 (including full board and training but excluding flights and insurance). If you are interested in this opportunity then contact Barry Craven by email.

Fashion Freaks

We who use wheelchairs know how hard it is to find good looking clothes that fit. Skirts are too short at the back. Pants are too tight in the crotch. The jacket travels forward with every move until the shoulder pads form extra boobs. It is not funny!!

Fashion Freaks is about clothing for wheelchair users. On our website you will find patterns for downloading, simple sewing instructions, tips and other useful stuff. Here you will find everything you need to fix a wardrobe after your personal taste.

Visit Fashion Freaks

Keep warm this winter

It's September, the children are going back to school and it is once again time to start preparing for the winter cold. Keeping warm is important, especially for those with a SCI, and there are a few simple things you can do to make sure you fend off the chilly weather this winter.

Last month the Department of Health published a guide with some simple tips not just on keeping warm but also finding practical and financial help to make sure your house is as warm and energy efficient as possible.

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The latest in the library

Here are some of the latest additions to the SIA library on spinal cord injury:

GET 2007. Guide for Students with Disabilities

Picking up GET 2007 Guide for Students with Disabilities is a great first step to finding a graduate job. Inside, you’ll find articles on disability and recruitment today, plus A-Z listing of employers in many different sectors, and profiles of graduate employers who are recruiting now.

Damn Bunch of Cripples. My politically Incorrect Education in Disability Awareness.

By Lew Shaver, 2003.

Published by iUniverse, Inc. This book is about the experiences of Lew Shaver, now a retired wheelchair basketball coach, a sharing of feelings and experiences of a coach and his athletes, from touring the USA, to the days and nights spent in laughter and frustration.

Sociologies of Disability and Illness, Contested Ideas in Disability Studies and Medical Sociology.

By Carol Thomas, 2007.

Published by Palgrave Macmillan. How is disability understood as a social phenomenon? Cutting across the disciplinary divide, this text offers a vibrant account of conflicting perspectives on disability and chronic illness.

Disability Definitions, value and identity.

By Steven D Edwards, 2005.

Published by Radcliff Publishing Ltd. Professor Edwards tackles the question of the value of disabled persons’ lives head on by examining three related issues: the definition of disability; the possibility of leading a good life; and the question of personhood and identity.

Understanding Disability. Inclusion, Access, Diversity and Civil Rights.

By Paul T. Jaeger and Cynthia Ann Bowman, 2005.

Published by Praeger. Written to educate and inform readers about the social roles of disability, this accessible and informative work addresses many areas such as: Social classifications of disability; representations of disability and issues of accessibility to information.

Vacancies at SIA

Peer Support Workers

We are currently seeking to expand our team of Peer Support workers and have a number of vacancies available at SCI Centres around the country. The closing date for all posts is 26th October

We are also seeking to recruit an Advice Line Officer (Health Information) to join the team at our Milton Keynes office. The closing date for this post is 21st September (previous applicants need not apply).

For further details of all available posts please visit the Vacancies section of our website, email us here, or call Wendy Taylor on 0845 678 6633 to request a job information pack, specifying which post you are applying for.

Fundraising Events Manager

SIA is seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to develop and manage a diverse portfolio of fundraising events across the UK.

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising, responsibilities include an integrated approach to the delivery of events, budget management creation of new events to generate income, and production of marketing materials in order to maximise promotional opportunities.

The position is based in Milton Keynes and extensive travel within the UK is required.

In addition, the applicant must have proven event organisation experience and be prepared to work evenings and weekends.

In return we offer a competitive salary dependent on experience. For the Job Description and to request an application pack please visit our website

NOTICE -  The SIA Annual General Meeting will no longer be held on the 29th September 2007... more details

29th November 2007 - Going For Gold Marathon Gala Ball, The Bloomsbury Club, London ... more details

2008 Raffle Tickets on sale NOW...

Win a Mitsubishi Colt with the new SIA National Raffle!

Look out for raffle tickets in the October issue of FORWARD magazine or order your tickets in the SIA store

Do you have problems with bladder problems and incontinence and have a spinal cord injury?

The Heart and Lung Foundation is looking for SCI individuals who suffer with bladder problems and incontinence to take part in a clinical study.

Expenses for time and travel will be reimbursed for anyone participating in the study and all studies have been approved by an Independent NHS Ethics committee.

Please call the Research Nurse on 0207 034 3302

On A Final Note

The next issue of e-clips will be circulated in November. If you missed out on previous issues of e-clips you can download them 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.