Our final thoughts on 2017

When we launched NorCal SCI in May of this year, we had no idea how the spinal cord injury community would receive us or how we would go about meeting the various and significant challenges the vast majority of those with SCI face on a daily basis.

It's easy to say "let someone else do this work" but then you're compelled to ask yourself "who would?"  Collectively, we have met over 1,000 individuals with SCI through our peer supporting work as well as our community outreach throughout Northern California.  We see individuals who are new to SCI and we've met individuals who have lived with SCI for 50+ years.  Their needs vary and we are mindful of providing information and supporting groups that serve both of those audiences.

It was a crazy year, full of highs and lows.  The constant congressional attacks on the Affordable Care Act.  Advancements in clinical research involving stem cell therapies (and just this past week Epidural Stimulation).  The devastating Northern California wildfires in October that affected many of the SCI population living in the affected areas.  The opening of a state-of-the-art acute SCI rehab center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.  And who can forget the creative videos shot by sisters Krystina and Robyn Jackson who introduced everyone to "Ability Hacks" and "First Time" video series with the promise of more ideas to come in 2018.  We can go on and on. 

Yet, as our work has taken us across Northern California and as we've met hundreds of people during this short journey, we are more convinced than ever before that there is a lot of work yet to be done.  We have just completed an exhaustive brainstorming and review of our short and long term goals and objectives and have finalized a new mission statement, vision and initiatives that we will be announcing on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.  We promised you back in May that we will be fully transparent with our plans and feel that anything short of that is a non-starter.

In the meantime, we'll take next week off to get our batteries recharged, enjoy some time with our families and ... get some work done in order to take on an exciting array of activities for the spinal cord injury community.  We thank you for your support and apologize for any shortcomings and hope that we will continue to earn your trust and support throughout 2018 and beyond.  Happy holidays and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.

Nick, Franklin & Carl
NorCal SCI