Ysaias on the ropes

Spinal Network

A Chapter of United Spinal
Association

Let's build a world where Community means Integration and Inclusion, where Community means Participation, and where Community means Independence.  

Challenge (1200 × 400 px) (2000 × 800 px)

The Spinal Network Challenge is live. Click the button below to register.

Here is how it works, you click on the button to go to the landing page where you click on sign up. It will take you through the short process, you will have the option of starting a team to challenge with or to join a team. You will have an option should you choose, to make an additional donation to further support our efforts. Do you want to see some of what we do? Scroll down a little and watch the 2 minute video from our most recent Adaptive Sports, Recreation, and Resource Fair.

We can't do this without you

Our Mission

Spinal Network's mission is to promote community integration, participation, and independence for individuals with a disability requiring the use of a wheelchair for their mobility, by providing the tools and community support to be successful in their personal lives. Our goal is to maximize quality of life, raise self-esteem and improve physical and mental health.

Our Vision

Spinal Network creates pathways to success through events, assistive technology loans, peer mentoring and support, and other impactful programs that promote community integration, participation, and independence. Our sponsors and partners, all of whom share this vision, collaborate with Spinal Network by providing resources and supporting its programs to achieve its goals.

Spinal Network's Assistive Loan Closet

Spinal Network has been awarded a grant by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to launch an assistive loan closet in the San Diego county area. This is a much needed service that will impact the lives of our members who have a high level SCI or diagnosis. The trial loan period will be 60 - 90 days and will be monitored closely to determine whether the combination being trialed is maximizing function and independence. 

Pickleball/Boccia Tournament

When: September 30th, 10am - 3pm

Where: Park De La Cruz, San Diego
3901 Landis St, San Diego, CA 92105

Adapted PickleballBoccia Ball Flyer

A great video from our Adaptive Sports, Recreation, and Resource Fair 2023

Peer Support

Join the Chapter

Latest Newsletter

Our Latest Podcast

Our latest podcast was with Bob Vogel, journalist, adventure seeker and most importantly my friend. Bob has a great history as a skier, hang glider, sailor. Bob is a great dad and family man. We shared a few laughs.

Our Newest Executive Board Member

Screen Shot 2023-04-05 at 2.24.55 PM

Debra Jackson suffered a spinal cord injury (T7 complete) in 2019 while riding her bicycle in Switzerland where she was living at the time. After spending 8 months in rehabilitation at the Swiss Paraplegic Center in Nottwil, Switzerland, she returned home to San Diego to be closer to family and friends.

Debra serves on the advisory board of Padres Pedal the Cause, an organization that funds grants to local cancer research institutions through an annual fundraising cycling event.  In addition to being on the advisory board, Debra led her corporate team and has participated in the event (pre and post injury) for the past 10 years.  Debra also recently became involved with peer mentoring through the Spinal Network, helping individuals who are new to a spinal cord injury.

News and Views

What Exactly is Ableism?

Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities and/or people who are perceived to be disabled. Ableism characterizes persons who are defined by their disabilities as inferior to the non-disabled. Ableism refers to “discrimination in favor of able-bodied people,” according to the Oxford English Dictionary. But the reality of ableism extends beyond literal discriminatory acts …

What Exactly is Ableism? Read More »

Grassroots Advocacy: Change Starts with You – District Mobilization Program

Every day, members of the United Spinal community face unequal access or exclusion due to physical barriers and ineffective policies, practices, or procedures. When frustrations arise in healthcare, mobility, education, work or limitations in quality of life, through grassroots advocacy, your personal experience becomes the seed that can bring about necessary change. What Is Grassroots …

Grassroots Advocacy: Change Starts with You – District Mobilization Program Read More »

Able Accounts

ABLE accounts encourage and assist individuals with disabilities and their families in saving private funds to help maintain health, independence, and quality of life and provide secure funding for disability-related expenses. These accounts are tax-exempt and a qualified ABLE program established and maintained by a state, or by an agency of a state, pays for …

Able Accounts Read More »

Purcell International
Mobility Solutions
Convatec
Rehabilitation Care Coordination
GoldenBoy Mobility
Sprouts Farmers Market Pacific Beach
Scroll to Top