When I moved to Arizona and moved into the dorm at ASU, I met five amazing guys with spinal cord injuries who immediately became my mentors. Through their love and friendship, and sometimes just by watching them, I learned that I could survive and even thrive with a disability.
I want the AZSCIA to provide services and programs that help people with spinal cord injuries live a fuller and happier life, whatever that is for them. I am proud of the Association and its many successes but realize that no agency can be “everything to everyone.” As an agency, our focus has been on mentoring, education and quality of life, as well as prevention of spinal injuries. I am really excited to see so many people with disabilities working and socializing and raising families just as anybody else would do—it underscores the fact that those of us with disabilities are just like everyone else.
That said, those of us with disabilities must continue to advocate for laws and policies which allow us full access to life, and we must be vigilant to protect the progress we have made toward full inclusion in society. I ask anyone who is reading this to become involved with the AZSCIA in any way you feel comfortable, whether that’s: volunteering, attending our events, donating or just letting us know how we can better serve our community. Always remember the slogan that was popular (and perfect) during the disability civil rights movement of the 1980s and 90s: “nothing about us without us!”
-Don Price
Board President
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