Derby City Area Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Derby City Area Chapter of the N.S.C.I.A. is a membership organization for individuals with spinal cord injuries, their families, and health professionals. Founded in 1984 as a Charter Member of the N.S.C.I.A., it was incorporated under IRS Section 501 (c) 3 as a not for profit organization. The Board of Directors consists of the Officers, Past President and the Board Members At Large.
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OFFICERS
PRESIDENT David Allgood - (502) 589-6620
VICE PRESIDENT Adam Ford - (502) 425-2206
TREASURER Tom Stokes- (502) 957-5865
LIAISON TO FRAZIER INSTITUTE Dr. Bill Kraft – (502) 582-5865
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY Michael Feger- (502) 647-0368
PAST PRESIDENT Adam Ford- (502) 425-2206
BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE- Mike Perry Kelly Young
NSCIA DERBY CITY CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
Editor- Barbara Davis
Contributor- David Allgood
iBOT HITS THE MARKET
“I didn’t know whether to scream, laugh or cry, thinking about what the iBOT does for me,” says T11-12 para Vicki Hicks, one of the first purchasers of the iBOT. “It gives me freedoms I haven’t had for 22 years.”
Hicks, an interior designer from Oklahoma City, says she’s thrilled she can reach high shelves again, plus easily cross grass and other terrain. “Climbing the steps isn’t such a big deal to me. The every day constant things are much more important — the upper half of the Christmas tree, the upper rack of clothes, cleaning out a cabinet.” Popping 4-inch curbs is a nice perk, too, she says.
Hicks and other purchasers received their iBOTS Feb. 24 at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research in Houston, Texas. The purchasers were all trained on how to use their iBOTs at TIRR. Hicks says the iBOT’s $29,000 price tag is worth the cost. “It’s not a frou-frou item, it’s not icing on the cake,” she says. “It’s an important item that ought to be covered by insurance.” Hicks plans to take out a loan in order to purchase her iBOT if none of the cost will be covered by Medicare. “It’s not just a matter of reaching higher — it’s a huge measure of independence that I haven’t had in 22 years.”
PARKING PLACARDS FOR PREGNANCY?
The California legislature is considering allowing women who are in the final three months of pregnancy to park in spots set aside for people with disabilities. “It says we care,” said Assemblyman Tony Strickland, sponsor of AB 1947. “Pregnancy is something valuable. It’s not a Disability, but we want to make life easier for women who are going through pregnancy because their body is already going through so much stress.”
About 500,000 women give birth each year in California. Under AB 1947 they would each automatically be eligible for a placard in their last trimester. “I’m not against mothers-to-be, but given the resources we have, it (the proposed bill) is a concern,” Ramona Garcia, chair of the Resources for Independent Living, told the Sacramento Bee. Garcia says if the bill passes it will reduce spaces available to disabled people and lead to even more placard abuse.
