Connecticut Chapter of United Spinal Association
The Spinal Cord Injury Association of Connecticut (SCIACT), a chapter of United Spinal is a group of individuals that join together with the hopes of improving the lives of people who have been affected by a spinal related injury or disease within the state of Connecticut. The SCIACT is a non-profit (501c3) organization and has been in existence for over 35 years now.
The SCIACT strives to empower spinal cord injured individuals and the disability community to become active members of the community, lead an independent lifestyle and improve the quality of the lives of others.
In addition Connecticut Spinal Cord Injury Association continues to education the community on preventing spinal cord injury through the ThinkFirst program. For more information on the program contact the chapter office. The program is always looking for spinal cord injury survivors to tell their story in order to prevent spinal cord injury. This is a team of people, which include nurses, therapists, paraplegics, and quadriplegics that go to schools and educate students on prevention and safety.
Programs & Services:
Quality of Life Grants
For Connecticut residents that are affected by SCI a quality of life grant. Grants have been given to individuals for transportation needs, education expenses, addition wheel chair cushions, to help pay for some home and vehicle modifications and a variety of adaptive equipment/technology needs.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
This program is an educational resource that empowers caregivers to address these challenges more effectively. One of the main goals of the program is to help caregivers to thrive as individuals.
Clinical FES Training Programs
The NSCIA CT Chapter sponsors a growing number of independant facilities in both clinical and community settings that allow individuals to use Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)bikes.
Think First Program
Sponsors of Think First have designed the program to explain the causes and consequences of spinal cord and traumatic brain injury.
Spinal Cord Injury Support Groups
As a service to persons with spinal cord injury or disease, the SCIACT Connecticut Chapter provides support group meetings. Our support groups allow individuals the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics with other’s that have a spinal cord injury.
Peer Assistant Program
The purpose of the “Peer Assistance program” To provide newly injured person, or persons who are having trouble adapting, an opportunity to talk to “others” who share similar experiences and circumstances. This is a process by which a person with a disability, through their skilled training, personal experiences, and desire to help, offers assistance to others with a disability.
