COVID-19, United Spinal Updates

Helping Our Community Cope With COVID-19

In April, United Spinal received a generous grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to provide relief to people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) who have experienced hardships due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

To date, this grant has helped save lives and energized United Spinal’s unwavering commitment to serve our community.

Over the past few months, our staff has been working around the clock to fulfill the critical needs of our members and the larger disability community. So far, we have distributed over 600 relief grants to help wheelchair users and other individuals with disabilities make it through these challenging times. But there are thousands more in need of relief.

Aside from increased risks to COVID-19, our members have faced a shortage of home- and community-based services, personal care attendants, and health care options. This has made a difficult situation much worse for many wheelchair users; and even harder for some to maintain their health and independence and avoid hospitals and nursing homes.

We’ve already received a large amount of feedback from grant recipients that reinforces the importance of our efforts during this unprecedented global crisis. We are grateful for the opportunity to bring hope and peace of mind to so many individuals and families.

Testimonials From Our Community

 

Other Support Initiatives

-United Spinal’s team of information specialists have provided one-on-one assistance through our online Resource Center, offering individuals guidance to overcome the wide array of challenges caused by COVID-19.

-On the advocacy front, United Spinal’s Policy department has been keeping Washington, DC, state officials and legislators informed of COVID-19-created gaps in services to ensure our members have access to healthcare and community supports.

In addition, we’re hosting a 3-part virtual advocacy series via Zoom with the goal of helping people with disabilities overcome a variety of hurdles during these uncertain times. Topics include telework/assistive technology; telehealth/rehabilitation; medical rationing; caregiving; and access to personal protective equipment (PPE).

-Through the generosity of the Neilsen Foundation and our corporate partners, United Spinal chapters and support groups have been able to continue to provide outreach, share resources and maintain strong connections with our members nationwide–at a time when many are cut off from their communities and support networks.

This includes:

  • Hosting weekly online art and fitness classes
  • Delivering PPE kits with gloves, masks and hand sanitizer
  • Providing grocery store gift cards
  • Planning virtual events
  • Improving digital and virtual communication

 

As our country looks toward a gradual reopening and returning some normalcy to our daily lives, we will continue to work to ensure the health and safety of our members.

While there are many unknowns at this difficult time, there is one thing that is certain: United Spinal needs to be there for all Americans living with SCI/D, now more than ever before. United Spinal is leading the fight to protect the health and safety of disabled veterans, wheelchair users and all people living with SCI/D.

You can support our mission by donating whatever amount you can afford to make a difference in lives of people most affected by this pandemic. Your donation will help United Spinal provide additional relief to thousands of individuals who need help now.

Click Here to Donate

For disability-related COVID-19 resources and information, visit www.unitedspinal.org/covid-support.