Dear Wheel-E Newsletter Recipients:

Welcome to the April 2016 issue of Wheel-E, the monthly newsletter of Spinal Cord Injury Alberta. Wheel-E includes information about news and events related to spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities. 

SCI Alberta also publishes Spinal Columns, a magazine that includes features and regular columns about important issues that individuals with disabilities face today. Click here to read our most recent issue. If your contact information has changed or if you would like to receive Spinal Columns, please contact us at 780-424-6312, 1-888-654-5444 or [email protected] or  click here to sign up to receive your issue of Spinal Columns by email.
Canada Helps donation logo
 
To make an online donation, click here 
Provincial News
Red Carpet Affair 2016 - Thank you! 
Image from Red Carpet Affair 2016
On March 18, 2016 Spinal Cord Injury Alberta hosted its 13th annual Red Carpet Affair. Over 200 guests were treated with beautiful music by Canadian violinist Adrian Anantawan, a delicious dinner, heard some wonderful stories and bid on numerous auction items. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this evening such a success!

Be a Chair-Leader!
ChairLeaders Logo
Throughout the month of May, Spinal Cord Injury Alberta will continue with our vision of a barrier free society in hosting our annual Chair-Leaders "Enabling Access" event throughout Alberta. Community leaders are encouraged to swap chairs for a day in an effort to raise awareness for issues surrounding accessibility and working towards a barrier free future for all.
Our goal is to raise awareness and funds that will help persons with mobility disabilities in our communities to achieve independence, integration and acceptance while allowing full community participation.
Grande Praire (Valleyview) - May 13, 2016
Lethbridge - May 24 - 27, 2016
Medicine Hat - May 23 - 27, 2016
Fort McMurray - May 16 - 20, 2016 
  
 
Governor General's Leadership Conference (GGLC)   
Governor General_s Canadian Leadership Conference 2016 
The GGLC comes available every four years. Zachary Weeks participated in the conference four years ago and said he found it to be an amazing experience, as have some of our former contacts outside SCI Alberta. This is an opportunity for members of our community to develop leadership skills and make lifelong connections. Find out more at www.leadershipcanada.ca.

Alberta Community Health Survey 
Alberta Community Health Survey Image 
Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services are calling on Albertans to participate in the Alberta Community Health Survey. The survey will ask about your behaviours, lifestyle, health and wellbeing, and how your community supports you to be healthy. Survey results will be available to Albertans in late 2016. They would like you to answer their phone calls from 403-944-3260 to talk to them. Click here to find out more about using the android app to sign up for Study 78.  
 
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
Some facts about the RDSP:
1. For every $1 saved, the Canadian Government will match up to $3.
2. If you have a low income and cannot invest yourself, the government will still save for you!
3. An RDSP will not affect your disability benefits. There are no restrictions - you can spend the money on anything you choose.
4.You choose where to invest your money. Many major Canadian banks are offering RDSPs.
For more information, go to www.rdsp.com.

What's Local in Your Community
Calgary  
Calgary 2016 Peer Events
Peer event information is posted as it becomes available on the SCI Alberta website as well as on Facebook and TwitterFor more information, contact [email protected] at 403-228-7434.   

Restaurants Critics Needed 
Typically, two restaurants are chosen each month in order to assess the experience...and provide an opportunity to socialize, share ideas and, of course, enjoy some great food!  We have a restaurant event coming up in April so stay tuned for more details!

Join our Team & Sweat for SCI at the Calgary Scotiabank Marathon 
Calgary Scotiabank Marathon Image for SCI Alberta
Catch the excitement! The countdown is on...May 29, 2016. To find out more, contact [email protected] or 403-228-7434.
 


Edmonton
Edmonton 2016 Peer Events

Peer event information is posted as it becomes available on the SCI Alberta website as well as on Facebook and Twitter.  For more information, contact Guy Coulombe at 587-410-2427.

"Fun" Poker Tournament - Cancelled. New Date to be Determined   
Poker Image
Stay tuned for updated information. If you have any questions, contact [email protected], 587-410-2427.






Tappcar 
Accessibility advocates say they're cautiously optimistic new rideshare alternatives could make lives easier for people using wheelchairs but add they shouldn't have to pay extra for the convenience. Click here to read full article in Edmonton's Metro News.










 
Continuing Care & Community Living - EXPO 2016
Continuing Care _ Community Living Expo 2016 
Alberta's largest independent living and mobility show. Continuing Care and Community Living EXPO 2016  promotes independent living and will bring consumers, service providers, health care professionals, specialist manufacturers and retailers together. Taking place in Calgary on April 21, 2016 at the Calgary Stampede Centre, 12:00pm - 8:00pm and in Edmonton on Friday May 6, 2016, Northlands Expo Centre, Hall H, 7515 - 118 Avenue, NW, Edmonton, AB from 12:00 noon - 8:00 pm.

Alberta Employment and Education Show 
April 21, 2016. FREE admission. Doors open: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Delta South Edmonton Hotel and Conference Centre, 4404 Gateway Boulevard, Edmonton. For further information, contact Willy Grant at 780-529-5110 or [email protected] 
Medicine Hat
SCI Alberta Chosen as Recycling Charity of Choice   
 
 
Drop off your bottles and/or cans at any of the Medicine Hat REDI Recycle locations listed below. For more information, contact [email protected] or 403-504-4001.

Volunteer Income Tax Program 2016 
March 1, 2016 through May 27, 2016, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Tuesdays through Fridays. No appointment needed. The Canadian Volunteer Income Tax Program is for low income individuals or families. Free Alberta Seniors Benefits Assistance. This service is free. Must bring your income statements. Located at Crestwood MB Church, 2348 Dunmore Road, SE, Medicine Hat.
 

Yoga Adventures 
SCI Alberta, Multiple Sclerosis Society and Medicine Hat Adaptive Sport are supporting the Blue Butterfly Yoga and Pilates Centre to offer Yoga Adventures this spring. This is a drop-in yoga program designed for participants who may need adaptations to standard yoga positions. For more information, contact [email protected] or 403-504-4001. 
Grande Prairie
SCI Alberta Grande Prairie Peer Information Sessions/Other Activities:
For more information on any upcoming peer events, contact Mieke at 780-532-3305 or [email protected].      
Social Bowling Group  
Join us each Tuesday for Social Bowling from 2:30 to 5:30  p.m. Join us for conversation if you don't want to bowl. Taking place at Grande Prairie's Bowling Stones Ten Pin Entertainment Center, 11005 - 106 Avenue. $4.00 per game. Cribbage, pool and other games are often available as well. Volunteers welcome. Phone Mieke at 780-831-1091 or keep your eye on the Accessible GP and Peace Region Facebook page for bowling updates. Check with Cecil if you have questions. He can be reached at [email protected]


Wheelchairs 
Free rugged wheelchairs for people who are "falling through the cracks" will be available early summer, 2016. Chairs are provided through a partnership of the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation, Swan City Rotary Club, Community Foundation of the North Western Alberta and Spinal Cord Injury Alberta. Contact Mieke de Groot at 780-532-3305 or
[email protected] for more information.

City of Grande Prairie Leisure, Recreation and Sport Needs Assessment 
Arlene Buckham is a Therapeutic Recreation Student interning with the City of Grande Prairie Recreation and Sport Department. As part of her internship she is conducting research to determine the leisure and recreation needs of individuals with disabilities living in Grande Prairie. Click here if you would like to find out more and to decide if you would like to participate in this research survey. For more information, you can also contact [email protected].

Indigenous Services Web Portal 
Indigenous services web portal provides a one stop directory of services and information for First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples of Alberta.   
   
For More News and Community Events in Grande Prairie 
For information about other community news and events, click here.


Nutrition, Active Living and Wellbeing
 
Sprouting and Eating Local Nutrition Workshop
Sprouting and Eating Local Nutrition Workshop
Coming up on April 20, 2016, 2:00 - 3:30 pm. At the SCI Alberta Calgary office, 5211-4 Street NE. RSVP to
to [email protected] or 403-228-7427.

SCI Total Fitness Website 
SCI Total Fitness is a website that provides adapted workout routines with a video-on-demand service. Kristin McNealus is a physical therapist in California who developed this website and asked if we would share it as a resource. Click here to find out more. 

Aging in Place  
Click here to find out more about aging in place. Website information provided by the Canadian Government. 
Ways to Give
Use Your Power for Good
50% of profits on your electricity usage each month can help individuals with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities! Click here to find out more.   

Agents of Change 
 
Our partnership with Agents of Change empowers you to support us in a substantial way if you are considering buying or selling a home.
Click here to find out more. 

Become a Spinal Cord Injury Alberta Member - Make Your Voice Count 
Spinal Cord Injury Alberta has been providing services and support to Albertans who have experienced a spinal cord injury or physical disability since 1961.

For a list of the many benefits available through your $25 membership, click here. Call 780-424-6312 or toll free 1-888-654-5444 to renew your SCI Alberta membership.

 
Click here to find out more about our ongoing resources.

Submissions/Subscribers/Contact Us
 
Please let others know about Wheel-E! They can subscribe by emailing or giving us a call at [email protected] (780) 424-6312 or toll-free: 1-888-654-5444
 
Please give us your thoughts and feedback on our newsletter. If you have announcements you would like posted, please submit to [email protected]
 
The next issue of SCI Alberta Wheel-E will be published the first week of May 2016. Deadline for submissions is on or before the 26th of each month. Whenever possible, please send in your announcements before the deadline!
 
For more information about Spinal Cord Injury Alberta, visit our website at http://www.sci-ab.ca     
Spinal Cord Injury Alberta neither endorses nor guarantees any of the products or services advertised in Wheel-E or on our website.     

Spinal Cord Injury Alberta
305 Hys Centre, 11010 - 101 Street, Edmonton, AB T5H 4B9  
SCI Alberta also has offices located in Red Deer, Calgary, St. Paul, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie. 
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