Please join United Spinal Association in welcoming Matt Castelluccio as the new director of community support. He fills the role formerly held by Bill Fertig, who recently retired from his role as resource center director. Castelluccio, a C6 quadriplegic, comes to United Spinal with a strong background in both rehab and independent living, as well as experience as a chapter leader.
“The journey of recovery can be challenging but does not need to be traveled alone. United Spinal Association is a community of people with lived disability experience that can support you along the way,” he says. “With the help of the team at United Spinal Association, many questions can be answered, and concerns can be addressed about living with a disability.”
The name change from “resource center” to “community support” highlights the personal nature of United Spinal’s mission to serve people with spinal cord injuries and related mobility disabilities. Look for a renewed dedication to membership and a reboot of how the organization presents its resources in the fall.
“We are combing through our Knowledge Books and our recently-acquired AbleThrive resources to curate the content that best serves people with SCI/D and their families,” says Josie Byzek, director of digital experience and content for United Spinal. She recently transitioned from executive editor of NEW MOBILITY to this newly-created role. “I’m especially excited to find new ways to share the life-changing work of my peers at United Spinal. Our programs collectively connect wheelchair users and their families to community services, provide peer support, assist in employment searches, ensure strong laws and policies, and even advise Big Tech on how to make the future accessible.”
Castelluccio and Byzek’s new roles are part of significant changes in United Spinal that promise to serve the broad community of people with SCI and related disabilities better than ever. Be the first to know about future changes by joining United Spinal at unitedspinal.org. To support our mission, donate here.