Resources

SCIboston assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this document. The information contained in this document is provided on an "as is" basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness.

Any questions can be directed to Diane, the Peer Mentor Coordinator at diane@sciboston.org

SCIboston Resources

  1. Grant Opportunities: https://www.sciboston.org/grants-1 

    1. Contact: info@sciboston.org

  2. One on One Peer mentoring: https://www.sciboston.org/ourmentors

    1. Contact: jcoromel@partners.org 

  3. Community and Education Programs: https://www.sciboston.org/events?view=calendar&month=12-2021 

    1. Contact: heidi@sciboston.org 

United Spinal Association Resources

  1. USA Resource Center webpage: https://askus-resource-center.unitedspinal.org 

    1. Phone Contact: 800-962-9629

  2. USA Private Facebook Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/511472059482754 

  3. Disability Products and Services Guide specific to MA: https://www.spinalcord.org/category/disability-products-services/massachusetts/ 

  4. Disability Products and Services Guide Search by type, location, or keyword: https://www.spinalcord.org 

  5. New Mobility Magazine, Publication by USA: https://newmobility.com 

PCA Resources (specific to MA)

  1. PCA Consumer Handbook: https://www.mass.gov/doc/personal-care-attendant-handbook/download 

  2. MassHealth PCA Program, more info about eligibility (shows how to apply for eligibility): https://www.medicaidplanningassistance.org/masshealth-personal-care-attendant-program/

  3. MA PCA Handbook: https://www.mass.gov/doc/personal-care-attendant-handbook/download

  4. PCA Workforce Council: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/personal-care-attendant-workforce-council 

  1. Contact: Michelle Byrd, michelle.byrd@state.ma.us 617-573-1712

  1. Private pay, Bayada: https://www.bayada.com 

  2. Massachusetts PCA agency: https://tempusunlimited.org 

    1. (If you need to apply to see your eligibility, this site will direct you towards the mass gov sites. Otherwise it’s a good resource/tool for those who currently have a PCA through the Tempus Unlimited agency).

  3. https://www.rewardingwork.org

Back to Work Resources

  1. Mass Rehab Commission (MRC): https://www.mass.gov/mrc-connect-0 

    1. Contact: 1-800-245-6543

  2. Work Without Limits: https://workwithoutlimits.org 

Housing Resources

  1. Subsidized Housing in Massachusetts, The Basics: This resource is a PDF document, please refer to the email I sent you with this PDF attachment. Feel free to print it off as well. 

  2. Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP): https://www.mass.gov/home-modification-loan-program-hmlp 

  3. Boston Affordable Housing Search based on your income: https://www.boston.gov/metrolist 

  4. Easterseals: https://www.easterseals.com 

  5. National Resource Center On Supportive Housing & Home Modification: https://homemods.org/national-directory/ 

Sports & Recreation Resources

  1. Accessible Seating Information for Arenas & Stadiums in New England: This resource is a PDF document, please refer to the email I sent you with this PDF attachment. Feel free to print it off as well.

  2. Spaulding Adaptive Sports: 

    1. https://sasc.spauldingrehab.org 

    2. https://spauldingrehab.org/conditions-services/adaptive-sports 

      1. Contact: Brendan Cormier (CTRS) at bcormier3@partners.org or for more information call 877-976-7272 or email spauldingadaptivesports@partners.org (referrals are not needed, this is a community program. Located in the North Shore (Salem), Boston (Charlestown), Cape Cod (Sandwich), and Brewster (DCR).

  3. Spaulding Exercise for Persons with Disabilities (ExPD, FES Rowing):

    1. Located at  Spaulding Hospital Cambridge, the ExPD program provides suitable exercise for health, leisure, and sport for people with disabilities. The program offers patients an innovative form of exercise-Functional Electrical Stimulation (Fes)-Rowing. 

      1. Contact Glen Picard at 617-758-5511 or email ExPD@partners.org to find out more about the program, cost, and if you meet their requirements.

  4. New England Adaptive Sports: http://adaptivesportsne.org 

    1. Contact: Joe Walsh joe.walsh@adaptivesportsne.org  617-690-9103

  5. Adaptive Rec. and State Programs in MA: https://www.mass.gov/adaptive-recreational-programs-and-events 

  6. Kelly Brush Foundation for recreational programs and adaptive recreation grants: https://kellybrushfoundation.org 

  7. New England Disabled Sports (NEDS): https://nedisabledsports.org Summer, Winter, and Military programs, as well as camps

  8. Wheelchair Tennis: https://www.southcoastwheelchairtennis.org 

    1. Contact Thomas Dodd at thomasd10@aol.com or Melissa Hoffman at mmohoffman@gmail.com 

  9. Hollister Adaptive Sports, information on popular wheelchair sports and national resources for them: https://www.hollister.com/en/continencecare/continencelearningcenter/livingwithaneurologicalcondition/popularwheelchairsports 

  10. Power Wheelchair Soccer: 

    1. https://bostonselfhelpcenter.org 

    2. https://bostonselfhelpcenter.org/boston-brakers 

      1. Contact: Jim Wice at jjwice@gmail.com 

  11. Adaptive Sailing Links: 

    1. https://piersparksailing.org

    2. https://www.community-boating.org 

    3. https://www.sailcapecod.com 

      1. Contact: Maureen McKinnon for questions and more information at moemck25@gmail.com

  12. High Fives Foundation https://highfivesfoundation.org

  13. Life Rolls On Foundation https://liferollson.org 

  14. New England Disabled Sports https://nedisabledsports.org/ 

Adaptive Equipment Resources

  1. All-Terrain Mobility: https://allterrain.equaladventure.org/

Wheelchair Purchase and Repair Resources

  1. Permobil Wheelchair Handbook: https://hub.permobil.com/wheelchair-handbook 

  2. Numotion: Link, contact info, any other important information

  3. National Seating and Mobility: https://www.nsm-seating.com 

  4. REquipment has a list of repair vendors for MA on their site, some accept insurance and some are private pay: https://dmereuse.org/resources/dme-repair-vendors/ 

Transportation Resources

  1. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Area (MBTA):

    1. Apply for The RIDE: https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/the-ride/how-apply-the-ride 

    2. Link to apply for reduced fares for MBTA for fixed bus and train routes: https://www.mbta.com/fares/reduced/transportation-access-pass 

    3. Trip Planner: https://www.mbta.com/trip-planner 

    4. Sign up for Transportation Alerts: https://www.mbta.com/about-t-alerts or visit: https://www.mbta.com/alerts/access 

    5. Download the MBTA’s preferred transit app to track routes and arrival countdown times: https://transitapp.com 

    6. MBTA Board Meetings and other events open to the public: https://www.mbta.com/events

    7. MBTA COVID-19 updates: https://www.mbta.com/covid19 

    8. Overall MBTA Accessibility Guide: https://www.mbta.com/accessibility 

    9. Ride Match: “one-stop searchable directory for transportation options in Massachusetts https://massridematch.org 

  2. National Aging and Disability Transportation Center: https://www.nadtc.org

  3. Lyft Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV): https://help.lyft.com/hc/e/articles/115013081668-wav-rides 

  4. Uber WAV: https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/uberwav/ 

Supplemental Resources (podcasts, books, articles, research articles, Facebook support groups, etc.)

  1. Facebook Support Groups: 

    1. SCI Locker Room: male-only private group https://www.facebook.com/groups/285711738290175 

    2. Spinal Cord Injury USA Group: private group for SCI individuals only https://www.facebook.com/groups/2014869075503756 

    3. Disability Trading Zone: trade, sell and buy items from other members https://www.facebook.com/groups/DISABILITYTRADINGZONE 

    4. Wives and Girlfriends of SCI (WAGS): private group for wives and girlfriends only, whose partner has an sci https://www.facebook.com/groups/976128749251070 

    5. United Spinal Association SCI Support Group:  private groups for SCI individuals https://www.facebook.com/groups/511472059482754 

    6. Women’s SCI Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2113302995648136 

    7. SCI Survivors (Survivors Only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/SCISurvivors 

    8. Spinal Cord Injury Support Group: this group looks like it is open to all individuals https://www.facebook.com/groups/1575256319434654 

    9. Moms of Teens with Spinal Cord Injuries: private group for mothers https://www.facebook.com/groups/1570147643178889 

  2. Podcasts:

    1. Spinal Cord Injury Zone: list of podcasts https://spinalcordinjuryzone.com/news/54759/spinal-cord-injury-podcasts-you-should-follow?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheSpinalCordInjuryZone+%28The+Spinal+Cord+Injury+Zone%29 

  3. Books/Magazines: 


  4. Online SCI Articles and Sites: 

    1. Flying With A Wheelchair: Guide To Air Travel For People With Disabilities https://wheelchairtravel.org/air-travel/

    2. AccessibilityOnline Webinar Series (on buildings, transportation, recreation, etc) https://www.accessibilityonline.org/ao/archives/ 


  5. Online SCI Research Articles: 

    1. Spinal Cord Injury Zone: more than just research articles, also has news, articles, and entertainment https://spinalcordinjuryzone.com 

  6. Videos: 

    1. Shepherd Center, “Understanding SPINAL CORD INJURY: What you should know about spinal cord injury and recovery” in 6 Chapters https://www.spinalinjury101.org/ 

    2. NorCal SCI Chapter: Cooking, exercise and health -oriented video collection https://norcalsci.org/virtual-is-the-new-reality-video-archive-1 

    3. PARALIFE: travel and wide variety of how-to videos https://www.youtube.com/c/PARALIFE 

    4. SCI Model System Videos(a variety  of videos on various topics of sci): https://msktc.org/sci/videos 

  7. Instagram Accounts:

    1. The GBC: @sciboston

    2. Wives and Girlfriends of SCI (WAGS): @wagsofsci  or check out https://linktr.ee/Wagsofsci 

    3. GBC Peer Mentor, Josh Keller: @life_keeps_rolling https://liferollson365.blogspot.com

    4. Eric LeGrand, injured during a collegiate football game, public speaker: @ericlegrand52

    5. Cory Lee, accessible travel blogger: @curbfreewithcorylee

    6. Wes Hamilton, athlete, motivational speaker, philanthropist, author: @iamweshamilton

    7. Move United, adaptive sports in the US: @moveunitedsport

Fundraising

  1. HelpHopeLive - Medical fundraising for equipment that insurance doesn’t cover.

Grant Resources

  1. Rise Again: grants for individuals with a SCI and are a U.S resident, more requirement info on their site https://www.riseagainsci.org. 

  2. MW Foundation: Grant for specialized rehab programs: https://www.mwfund.org/grant-application  From their site: (If you are an individual who has suffered a severe spinal cord injury and are looking to attend specialized rehabilitation or to continue a specialized rehabilitation program but are in need of financial assistance, you qualify.)

Durable Medical Equipment Resources

  1. REquipment, Durable Medical Equipment Reuse: https://dmereuse.org 

  2. GBC For Sale/Donation Page, (private sales, not through the GBC): https://www.sciboston.org/classifieds  

  3. Get AT Stuff: New England and New York  https://getatstuff.massmatch.org 

  4. Hospital Equipment Loan Program (H.E.L.P): Woburn, MA https://smd-help.org 

  5. Pressure Relief Mattresses and Beds -  https://www.volkner.com/products/

Centers for Independent Living

Massachusetts CIL: (https://www.mass.gov/inde​​pendent-living-centers/locations) 

  1. Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL): Boston, MA https://bostoncil.org 

  2. AdLib Center for Independent Living: Pittsburg, MA/Berkshires https://www.adlibcil.org 

  3. Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled (CORD): Cape Cod, MA https://www.cordcapecod.org

  4. Center for Living and Working (CLW): Worcester, MA https://www.centerlw.org 

  5. Independence Associates, a center for independent living: Brockton, MA https://iacil.org 

  6. Disability Resource Center (DCR): Northshore and Cape Ann, MA https://disabilityrc.org 

  7. MetroWest Center for Independent Living (MWCIL): Framingham, MA https://mwcil.org 

  8. Northeast Independent Living Program (NILP): Lawrence, MA https://www.nilp.org 

  9. Southeast Center for Independent Living (SCIL): Fall River, MA https://www.secil.org 

  10. Stavros Center for Independent Living: Amherst, MA https://www.stavros.org

Adaptive Tools and Technology Resources

  1. Adaptive Tools:

    1. Quad Tools (reacher, grabber, spatula, food tongs, etc.) https://quadtools.com

  2. Phone Apps:

  3. Adaptive Technology:

    1. Low Tech Solutions, communication tools: https://store.lowtechsolutions.org 

    2. Makers Making Change https://makersmakingchange.com

    3. Adaptive Gaming - Xbox Adaptive Controller  https://www.xbox.com/en-US/accessories/controllers/xbox-adaptive-controller

    4. Warfighter Engaged (adaptive gaming accessories) https://warfighterengaged.org



Veterans Resources

  1. The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA):

    1. General PVA Website https://pva.org

    2. New England Chapter https://www.newenglandpva.org 

  2. Semper Fi & America’s Fund (grants, financial aid, community retreats, adaptive sports programs, etc.) https://semperfifund.org

  3. Gary Sinise Foundation (home modification & grants) https://www.garysinisefoundation.org

  4. The Independence Fund (prosthetics; specifically the Action TrackChair) https://independencefund.org

  5. Help Our Military Heroes -HOMH (provides fully adapted vehicles) https://www.helpourmilitaryheroes.org

  6. Robert Irvine Foundation (grant opportunities & resources) https://robertirvinefoundation.org

  7. Project Return to Work (veteran-specific employment resources & job placement assistance) https://return2work.org

  8. Travis Mills Foundation (Maine based retreats & community relaxation/recreation) https://travismillsfoundation.org

  9. USA Cares (Veteran resources & aid) https://usacares.org

  10. Army Emergency Relief (Army specific resources & aid) https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org

  11. Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (Navy & Marine Corps specific resources & aid) https://www.nmcrs.org

  12. Give An Hour (provides donated mental health resources & counseling) https://giveanhour.org

Special Needs Trusts and Legal Services

  1. Latham Law Offices (Joshua Latham, Special Needs Trusts)  https://www.lathamlawoffices.com/josh-latham.html

  2. Greenfield Planning Group (Pamela Greenfield Special Needs Trusts) https://greenfieldplanning.com

  3. https://www.specialneedsalliance.org/the-voice/your-special-needs-trust-snt-defined-2/