United Spinal Association to Provide People with Disabilities in Puerto Rico Disaster Relief and Essential Supplies During Holiday Season

NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association today announced it will be sending a delegation to Puerto Rico to provide disaster relief from Hurricane Maria to wheelchair users and other people with disabilities so they can regain their independence and quality of life.

United Spinal and its local chapter members will join AxisCare and Equipo Pro Impedidos as part of Assisted Mobility Day, from 10am to 3pm, December 16th at Pepsi Industrial Park, in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.

Free mobility equipment repairs will be offered to attendees, including cleaning, lubrication and adjustment of all types of wheelchairs, lifters, ramps and hand controls. Doctors, therapists, and specialized personnel will be on hand to provide assistance and answer questions. In addition, there will be wheelchair basketball clinics hosted by players of the Puerto Rican team as well as guest artists.

"Wheelchair users and other people with mobility impairments are among the most vulnerable from severe weather and natural disasters," said James Weisman, United Spinal's president and CEO.

"Hurricane Maria which ravaged the islands of Puerto Rico had a devastating impact on the entire population, but for people with mobility impairments the impact was most severe," he added.

During the event, United Spinal will be distributing essential supplies and care items, including inverters to load wheelchairs; solar lamps; batteries; containers for loading gasoline; as well other medical equipment necessary for wheelchair users.

United Spinal will also collect applications for micro grants from those impacted by Hurricane Maria for accessible housing, equipment repairs, and general subsistence needs.

United Spinal's efforts to assist the disability community in Puerto Rico are part of a larger initiative made possible through a $500,000 grant awarded to the organization by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to coordinate and support regional weather-related disaster relief efforts for the disability community.

Funds from the grant are also being utilized for United Spinal's Resource Center to add dedicated disaster relief staff, call in number, online portal and specific SCI/D case management services.

To register via telephone: 787-523-3251

About United Spinal Association

United Spinal is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post-polio. It played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with SCI/D. United Spinal was instrumental in getting New York City to create sidewalk curb ramps and accessible public transportation that has been used as a model for many United States cities.

SOURCE United Spinal Association