May 2018 Newsletter
The May 21, 2018 meeting of the Sonoma-Marin SCI Support Groups will be held from 4:00 –
5:30 pm in the Clubhouse at the Azure Apartment Complex in Petaluma (5 Indigo Drive).
Local Resources
Among the many attractions at this year’s DSLC Tech Expo is wheelchair “skating”, also
referred to as WCMX. Along with technology, adaptive equipment and service organizations,
DSLC is featuring exhibitors that promote the adaptive sports for those with physical
disabilities. At the Tech Expo you will meet the winners of the 2017 WCMX World
Championship, who will showcase breathtaking wheelchair skating. Among them are Blake
Simpson, 2nd in the World Championship of the WCMX Men’s Division, Robert Thompkins, a
professional chair skater, and Troy McGuirk, VP of Sales for Mike Box, SoCal WCMX founder.
The Expo is set for Friday, May 11, 2018 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm in the Grace Pavilion at the
Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. Admission and parking is
free of charge.
The AXIS Dance Company creates contemporary dance routines that are developed through the
collaboration of dancers with and without physical disabilities. Axis hits the local stage
with its Radical Impact Tour from May 4-6, 2018 at Z Space in San Francisco. AXIS will perform
the headline work Radical Impact created by internationally renowned AXIS Artistic Director
and Choreographer Marc Brew, accompanied by a live string quartet. It is the goal of the
Radical Impact Tour to “shatter your assumptions and move you to your core” with its bold
offerings, extending a complexity that reflects lived experiences of a diverse group of artists.
http://www.zspace.org/radicalimpact
NorCal SCI reports that the Bay Area Sexuality and Disability Network (BASDN) are hosting a
community discussion on what it means to make sex education, services, and
information accessible to all. The discussion will be held on Sunday, May 6th from 2:00 – 4:00
p.m. at the Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline Street in Berkeley. The goal of the group is to
set a standard of sexual health competency by educating and interconnecting people with
disabilities and organizations that serve them. To register for the event, go HERE. Though a
contribution of $10-$30 would be appreciated, the organizers have made it clear that no one
will be turned away due to lack of funds.
Other News
New Mobility magazine reports the number of mobility options available to people with
disabilities has expanded this year, and include Hybrid-electric wheelchair vans, a Fiat 500 with
a rear entry ramp, and full-sized pickup trucks with lifts capable of accommodating a power
chair — and these are just a few of the options available to wheelers in need of a new rig this
year.
www.newmobility.com/2018/04/new-accessible-vehicles-2018/
United Spinal Launches Podcast Series - Check out their new wheelchair lifestyle podcast
series ‘United on Wheels’ that covers a wide range of topics from dating to accessible travel.
The series includes roundtable discussions between wheelchair users and staff members. You
can subscribe via iTunes or RSS feed.
Mission of the Sonoma-Marin SCI Support Group
To assist those newly injured with spinal cord injury or disease as well as those
who continue to be affected by long-standing disabilities. We meet the third
Monday of the month at the Azure Apartments Clubhouse, 5 Indigo Drive -
Petaluma from 4:00 to 5:30 pm.
We are here to support each other in every way possible by providing useful, up-
to-date information about services and products as well as an atmosphere that
allows for discussion of personal challenges and solutions to everyday problems.
Contact person: Stan Kosloski – 707-774-6466 or stankosloski@gmail.com