Insider Blog

A mixed bag of posts from NSCIA and United Spinal insiders.

A 40-Year Love Affair with Assistive Technology

Here I am 30 years ago adjusting a Reciprocating Gait Orthosis--full length, cable driven braces that encompassed the torso and both legs. The device, which was developed by Louisiana State University and Veterans Administration Prosthetic Center, was successful in getting a number of quads ambulating--a miraculous feat back then.

It’s amazing how time flies! Forty years since a young streetwise punk strolled into an assistive technology center and had his first encounter with people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Hell, I had seen and met SCI before then but didn’t know it. On the streets of NYC … [Read more...]

NSCIA’s Webinar Series Showing Great Promise

We've just begun hosting webinars and we're already starting to feel the love from participants! Building on the good vibes and positive feedback from many participants that joined us for our first few webinars, NSCIA is honing in on disability-related topics that are most … [Read more...]

Paying It Forward

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I lived through an absolutely incredible week recently. Late in the day on Tuesday, December 20th, I received a phone call from my friend and work colleague of more than 31 years, United Spinal Association Senior Vice-President Jim Weisman. He was close to home on his return … [Read more...]

Q&A with Lex Frieden

Lex Frieden and colleagues from NCD explain the concept of the Americans with Disabilites Act to Vice President Bush.

Lex Frieden, United Spinal Association's Chairman of the Board, is one of America’s pre-eminent disability activists and leaders of the Independent Living Movement. He is currently the Professor of Health Informatics and of Physical Medicine and  Rehabilitation at the … [Read more...]

A Unique Conference for Women with Disabilities

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For the past two years, United Spinal Association has teamed up with Independence Care System to host a unique conference in New York titled “From Within” that promotes self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-empowerment for women living with disabilities. Although still … [Read more...]

Veterans Day Reflection

Bill Fertig in action at the Marine Corps Marathon.

With great anticipation every year and months of riding practice under my belt I again join the ranks of handcyclists at the start of the wheelchair division of the Marine Corps Marathon in our Nation’s capital--now entering its 37th year. I remember well my first race as I … [Read more...]

Demonstrating at the “Taxi of Tomorrow?”

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On November 3, the New York City Taxis For All Campaign, which United Spinal Association helped to organize back in 1996, held a small demonstration at the “Taxi of Tomorrow” exhibit near Madison Square Park in Manhattan. Assembling directly in front of the exhibit, we 20 … [Read more...]

Key to Hailing a Cab in NYC: Tip Well and Hide Your Wheelchair

It’s inexcusable that New York City is still without an accessible taxi fleet. But there is a glimmer of hope. The voices of reason may slowly be creeping into the thick heads of some of our politicians. The Justice Department recently sided with four disability-rights … [Read more...]

Two Issues Down, Many More to Come

As the editor of Life in Action, I think it’s weird that three months ago the publication didn’t physically exist. Now our first issue is sitting in 30,000+ living rooms around the country, we have a growing community on Facebook, and our second issue is being … [Read more...]

Ease the Awkwardness, Learn Some Etiquette

Since 1998, United Spinal Association’s Disability Etiquette booklet has been distributed across the country to thousands of businesses, schools, and organizations to erase some of the misconceptions about people living with different types of disabilities. The booklet … [Read more...]