Empower SCI provides therapeutic recreation in an idyllic setting
Stony Brook, New York lies among the sleepy bedroom communities of the Long Island’s northern shore, and will be the host of Empower Spinal Cord Injury, a four-week residential program aimed at improving the quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injury through the use of recreation and peer support.
This brand new program takes place July 15 – 21, 2012, and will focus on therapeutic recreation, health education and advocacy, peer mentoring, and social re-entry.
Working in groups, participants work together to tackle issues that are common among individuals with spinal cord injuries, including bowel management, bladder care, dressing, functional mobility, secondary health complications, equipment management and repair. The groups will be led by peer mentors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, rehabilitation counselors, members of the independent living center (Suffolk Independent Living Organization) and Stony Brook University faculty.
The setting is idyllic; just south of Smith Bay, and situated just 60 miles outside of New York City, Stony Brook University provides a wonderful place to work on life skills, participate in recreation, and de-stress through yoga and meditation.
Because of the residential nature of the program, Empower SCI offers full services to individuals, providing round-the-clock personal care attendant services to individuals who are not fully independent. New York City and Long Island residents will have easiest access to Empower SCI; however, individuals who fly to airports in the New York City/Long Island area will be provided transportation to the Stony Brook University.
Once on campus, participants will stay in suite-style accessible dorms with attached bathrooms and a common living area.
Empower SCI is looking for 8 – 9 participants who are at least 8 to 12 months post injury to join them. Scholarship and partial scholarship is available.
If you are interesting in participating in this program, visit their website at www.empowersci.org and click on the Program Applications tab; under this tab, you will find the Participant Application, please feel free to fill it out and send it via email or snail mail to the address listed on the application. You may also contact them directly at the information listed under "Contact Us" if you have questions or concerns about the program or the application.
If you'd like to see photos or learn more, you can go to their Facebook page, too.
It is Empower SCI’s hope that this first program will act as a springboard for future 4-week programs in the future.
About Empower SCI:
Founded in December 2010, Empower SCI obtained 501(c)(3) status in September 2011. Empower SCI is a residential rehabilitation program established to enable individuals with spinal cord injuries to lead happier, more meaningful and more independent lives through a hybrid of traditional and nontraditional methods. Empower SCI was designed in response to a decrease in average length of stay in inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, poor timing of intensive rehabilitation opportunities, and clear benefits of comprehensive rehabilitation on quality of life in individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Founders include Jessica Goodine, Elizabeth Lima, and Carrie Callahan, former therapy camp leaders saw a clear need for a residential rehabilitation program that granted individuals with spinal cord injuries the opportunity to participate in intensive, holistic therapy at a time in their lives when they are motivated and ready to succeed.