Danbury-area spinal injury support group forming

Two local Danbury residents who suffered spinal cord injuries when they were teenagers have started a new support group. Paul Pateracki and Lynn Simoneau met by chance in the parking lot of a grocery store several years ago. After talking for 45 minutes, they came up with the idea of the support group, since neither knew of one locally.

Yale Scientist Aiming To Reverse Spinal Cord Injuries

New Haven -  A Yale neurology and neuroscience professor who hopes to regrow neurons in patients with spinal cord injuries has secured enough funding for a human clinical trial.

Take Veteran Sailing - September 10, 2017

Annually on the Sunday closest to September 11, United Spinal Association teams up with Sail Connecticut Access to provide of day of sailing, adventure and camaraderie to local veterans and disabled veterans. More info to come...

A SCIACT Success Story: Meet Nicole

Meet Nicole, and her inspiring story of strength and determination after facing a catastrophic spinal cord injury.

Check out United Spinal's New Mobility Magazine

As the official publication of United Spinal Association, New Mobility advances the organization’s mission to improve quality of life of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders by highlighting member opportunities for further education, peer support and community involvement. 

First paralyzed human treated with stem cells has now regained his upper body movement

This is the story of Kristopher Boesen, who was offered the opportunity to go through a potentially life-changing procedure involving stem cells, which have the capability to repair injured nervous tissue through replacement of damaged cells.

Annual Meeting Recap: Standing Wheelchairs!

On June 18, 2016 at our Annual Meeting & Picnic, the Standing Company presented to the chapter the benefits of owning a standing wheelchair. Standing Wheelchair Specialist Scott Liesch presented to more than 50 members on how to purchase and benefits from standing. Chapter President Bill Mancini also reviewed with the membership the 2015-2016 fiscal year and the importance of getting involved.

Our Resource Directory is Online!

The Spinal Cord Injury Association of Connecticut Resource Directory offers a vast amount of information, including: health care providers and facilities, councilors, adaptive technology, and more. This ongoing effort of the NSCIACT has over 200 pages of invaluable data and has taken years to compile and is updated periodically. Our online resource directory below can be downloaded in .PDF format.

Pictures from the 2016 Twilight Gala

The SCIACT held it's 7th annual Twilight Gala & Auction on March 12 at the Aquaturf Club in Plainville, CT, featuring Fox 61's Tim Lammers as MC and inspirational special guest speaker pro boxer  Boyd "Rainmaker" Melson. The event provides vital funding for the SCIACT's many benificial programs, including Quality of Life Grants, Peer Assistance and Support Groups. Click here for a photo gallery of this year's event.

Hollister offers free catheters to United Spinal & its affiliates

January 2016

A generous donation from Hollister to United Spinal Association and its affiliates allowed the CT Spinal Cord Injury Association to distribute two different brands of catheters to local recipients free of charge.

We've Changed our Name!

The National Spinal Cord Injury Association is becoming a chapter of the United Spinal Cord Injury Association. As a member of this local chapter, you'll continue to benefit from our beneficial state-wide programs and services and can now benefit from the many fine resources offered by United Spinal Itself! Stay tuned for more information...

United Spinal's Roll on Capitol Hill

Posted Sep 24, 2015

Successful advocacy takes a concerted effort by organizations, groups, and most importantly,  you and I. Hear what our participants have to say as they share their experiences from this year’s event

Man walks again after years of paralysis

Posted Sep 24, 2015

The ability to walk has been restored following a spinal cord injury, using one's own brain power, according to research.

Gaylord Hosts Meeting with National Spinal Cord Injury Organizations

posted May 2015

On April 21st, NSCIA CT's sponsoring facility Gaylord Hospital hosted a meeting with the our affiliates United Spinal Association and the National Spinal Cord Injury Association.

180 Medical Scholarship Program open to those with SCI

180 Medical is honored to have a scholarship program to help those with spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, transverse myelitis, neurogenic bladder, etc.

Looking for an Accessible Vacation Spot?

Posted November 2014

Check Out Chapter 126

Oak Hill's Chapter 126 Sports & Fitness center - a recreational facility designed specifically for youth and adults with disabilities, veterans, and their family and friends has just opened its doors.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers receives proclamation from Danbury Mayor

Posted August 2014

The Mayor of Danbury CT Mark Boughton Proclaims August 6th Powerful Tools for Caregivers Day!

Free lifetime pass for National Parks for disabled U.S. citizens

Did you know that US citizens and permanent residents with disabilities are eligible for a lifetime Access Pass that provides free access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies?

Take this Adaptive Sports Survey!

Posted February 2014

This survey includes questions that pertain to your personal life, health, and experiences with adaptive sports. Open until April 30, 2014.

Seniors initially denied motorized wheelchairs receive them

February 2014

An NSCIA CT board member and a local seating and mobility company helped to obtain funding for a new and necessary wheelchairs.   

Got SCI Questions? We've Got Answers!

Introducing the NSCIA CT Chapter Blog & Forum. Current topic: experts from Gaylord Specialty Healthcare discuss the EKSO.

East Granby Company Knows An Inspirational Story When It Sees One

Posted July 2013

Advanced Wheels recognizes contest winner Zackary Capitao with prizes and a donation to the charity of his choice!

CT Chapter teams up with Powerful Tools for Caregivers

Posted August 2012

The Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) program is a 6 week course that empowers caregivers to address their challenges more effectively. The NSCIA CT Chapter is teaming up with PTC to offers these courses throughout the state.

The Annual Wheeling and Able Golf Classic has another successful year!

Posted November 2011

A field of golfers took off on September 13th for the 12th Annual Wheeling and Able Golf Classic at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield. A special thanks to Eastern Rehabilitation Network for sponsoring another year of Golf for a GREAT Cause! Thank you to all our corporate sponsors and to the golfers who participated this year! It's because of your continued support and generosity that the chapter is able to continue our work!

Research Study: Are you living with a long-term incomplete Spinal Cord Injury?

Posted August 2011

The purpose of this study is to describe any changes in physical function that people with an incomplete SCI may have as they go through middle age.

To be eligible for this study you must:

1. Have had a traumatic incomplete spinal cord injury at least 15 years ago
2. Be 35 to 65 years old
3. Be able to read or speak English

Upper Limb Robotic Training Study in Spinal Cord Injury

Posted June 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of motor recovery in patients with chronic loss of function in the upper-limb after Spinal Cord Injury, and to characterize the neurophysiological profile of patients and specific muscles that respond to robotic training by using non-invasive brain stimulation , Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(TMS). We aim to investigate if arm muscle strength and function improve through innovative visual-sensory-motor upper-limb robotic training.

Quadriplegic Participants Needed For Research Study

Posted April 2011

Patients who are quadriplegic from spinal cord injury,brainstem stroke, muscular dystrophy, or motor neuron disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and have no or limited use of their hands are needed for an FDA regulated research study to evaluate a new technology which may allow an individual with quadriplegia to control a computer cursor by thought. This study is invasive and requires surgery.

Connecticut Loses a Great Advocate

Posted October 19, 2009

Tom Connors was one of the heroes of the Disability Rights Movement that began as a “grassroots movement” for civil rights and independence for people with disabilities that eventually realized sweeping legal victories over the years.