Debbie Myers, president of United Spinal’s North Carolina chapter, has been involved with the organization for 23 years and has received countless calls from wheelchair users and their family members about their wide-ranging impact.
With over 700 members, they have a wide range of support groups, hand cycling clinics, annual get togethers, and grant opportunities. One program that receives the most praise is wheelchair rugby. In 2005, the chapter hosted a trial clinic which became so popular that it allowed them to sponsor a team.
“One of the fathers, I remember specifically, called me up and he’s like, ‘Debbie, I need to thank you for bringing this sport, you saved my son’s life. We thought we were going to lose him and he’s just found a new purpose. He’s getting back to himself,’” says Myers.
The team started when the chapter was still getting its footing, so it was a great introduction into the community. Being situated next to a number of college campuses also helped with finding student volunteers.
For the past five years, the chapter has also been able to give out funding to help members in need, thanks to an annual fundraiser.
“We helped fix one member’s van and now they can get back into the community. Or even just a simple thing as getting new wheels on their chair, they can get out of bed again. We’ve helped with building ramps, and being able to get people out of the house, whenever you get one of those phone calls from a family member, or the person themselves, that sticks with you.”
Myers, who acquired a spinal cord injury in 2002, didn’t waste any time finding ways to connect and support other wheelchair users. She started researching what was already available locally for disability community and became a go-to person for information at rehab and peer support groups.
The staff at WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital took notice and they asked for her help creating a chapter of sorts. Myers was on board. With money from the hospital and collaboration with the then National Spinal Cord Injury Association, which later became United Spinal, the chapter officially began in the fall of 2003 with a strong focus on peer support groups.
“We were trying to get our arms around what we wanted to do and what people were interested in and what they were missing. We introduced ourselves to the different rehab centers across the state, we were able to start a couple of different peer groups which were a good starting point,” says Myers.
Lindsey Elliott, Sr. Director, Community and Peer Support, visited early on to do a support group training and they also had help from the South Carolina chapter. “The South Carolina chapter was established long before us so we asked their leadership, what’s good, what’s bad, what should we watch out for, what do you suggest. We’ve always had a really strong relationship with the South Carolina chapter.”
One of the North Carolina chapter’s signature events is an annual conference called Data Connect that provides an opportunity for connection and information sessions on topics like adaptive sports, self defense and emergency preparedness. In the first year they had 87 participants in addition to DME and accessible vehicle vendors, which was an impressive start, especially due to inclement weather the day of the event. Because of the success, they decided to do a spin off conference called Voices Table, specifically geared toward women, where they talk about topics like body positivity and adaptive clothing.
Being a part of United Spinal helped give Myers a purpose after her injury and she’s been creating change for wheelchair users ever since.
“I think that allowed me to kind of find myself again. I’m proud of how we got started and where we’re at today. I’m proud of what the programs we provide, the number of members that we have, and am excited about how we continue to grow.”