The Spina Bifida Coalition, Inc.

04/06/2026

03/27/2026

Want an easy, FREE way to support SBC every time you shop at Kroger?

You can—just by using Kroger Community Rewards!
Every year, this simple program brings in about $750 for SBC, all thanks to supporters like you. Imagine what we could do if even more families joined in.

Getting started is quick and easy:
• Log into your Kroger account
• Using the app? Tap the three lines in the top-right corner
• On the website? Click the person icon and select My Account
• Find Rewards → Community Rewards
• Search for “Spina Bifida Coalition of Cincinnati” or enter our number: FI704

Not a Kroger Rewards member yet? No worries—signing up is totally free!
https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

Pro tip: Check your receipts to make sure your rewards are supporting SBC. Every little bit truly adds up. Share our code with your family and friends!

Huge thank‑you to everyone already participating—you’re helping us empower individuals and families living with spina bifida in such a meaningful way.

Let’s keep the momentum going!

03/26/2026

Board Member Spotlight: Amy Wix, OTD, OTL/R

We are thrilled to highlight one of our incredible West Virginia leaders, Amy Wix. Amy first became involved with SBC in 2021 as a member of our WV Oversight Committee while we explored expanding our service area. Her insight, compassion, and commitment to families made an immediate impact.

In 2022, Amy joined the SBC Board of Directors, and since 2024 she has served with excellence as our Board Secretary. She also lends her expertise on both our Program Committee and Advocacy Committee, helping shape meaningful initiatives that support and empower our community.

Amy holds a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and is an Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Department at Radford University. Her professional expertise and lived experience make her an invaluable voice in our mission.

In addition to her board service, Amy was a featured presenter at our 2023 Midwest Regional Conference, where she shared her knowledge with families and professionals across the region. We’re excited that she will once again bring her expertise to our community as a presenter at our April Grand Connections gathering.

Amy resides in Beckley, WV with her husband, Michael, and is the proud mom of Jackson, a very active and joyful 8‑year‑old who happens to have spina bifida. Her dedication to improving the lives of individuals and families living with SB is both personal and deeply inspiring.

Please join us in celebrating Amy for her leadership, her heart, and her unwavering commitment to the Spina Bifida community. We are so grateful for all she brings to SB

03/25/2026

Navigating Life with Spina Bifida: Legal & Financial Considerations

Join us Thursday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. for a virtual presentation and Q&A designed to help families plan with confidence.

We’ll be joined by financial and legal professionals with extensive experience supporting individuals with disabilities, as well as representatives from STABLE. Topics will include estate planning, Special Needs Trusts, SSI eligibility, guardianship, and alternatives to guardianship.

Our full list of presenters will be announced soon!

We hope you’ll join us for this important conversation. The session will be recorded and posted on the SBC YouTube Channel for anyone who can’t attend live.

Please register by Thursday, April 29th at Noon at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/sbcoc/event/navigatingsb/

03/18/2026

2026 DDBP 6th Annual GREAT-itude Award Nominations

DDBP GREAT-itude Award
Sponsored by the DDBP Family Advisory Council, the GREAT-itude Award was created to invite patients and family members to recognize an individual within DDBP who demonstrates the DDBP mission in their work. The DDBP mission is to be a leader in improving health, quality of life, and outcomes in children and adolescents with developmental disabilities.

Nominate a DDBP employee who shows GREAT-itude:
Generous of their time and/or efforts
Respectful
Eager to help
Advocates for your child and your family
Team Player

You can only submit ONE staff or professional member at a time. If you would like to submit multiple nominations, you must complete a survey for each staff or professional member. Thank you for understanding!

Deadline for submission: Wednesday May 13, 2026
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GREAT2026

03/17/2026

It’s that time of year again — Best of Dayton 2026 nominations are OPEN!
Let’s help Capabilities make it three years in a row!

Our friends at Capabilities have been incredible partners to SBC families. They’ve:
✨ Sponsored our Walk & Roll
✨ Brought amazing play activities to our holiday parties
✨ Provided engaging activities for our 2023 Conference

Lindsey and Cory are fellow SB parents, deeply connected to our community. Many of YOU, our families already enjoy their fully accessible location, and this is a wonderful way to show appreciation for all they do for the disabled community.

Nominating them is a simple way to expand their visibility and help more families discover the inclusive, joyful experiences they offer.

How to Nominate:
Click this link: https://www.daytondailynews.com/.../XKTOYDEOPRACRHU2FQE4.../
Scroll down and select Recreation
Type Capabilities in the following categories:
• Best Family Fun Destination
• Best Indoor Playspace
• Best Place for Children’s Birthday Party

Your nomination helps shine a light on a partner who shows up for our families. Let’s help them shine right back.
Thank you for supporting those who support our community.

03/16/2026

YOU MAY EXPERIENCE AN ERROR WHEN ACCESSING OUR SBC WEBSITE....BECAUSE today and tomorrow, we are in the process of converting to our new and updated SBC website. During this transition, you may receive an error message when trying to access our site.

If you need information or resources, please reach out to our office at 513‑923‑1378 or contact Rhonda at Rhonda.horick@sb-coalition.org.

We will notify you as soon as the website is fully accessible again. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve your online experience with SBC.

03/12/2026

03/11/2026

Are you the family member of a child or adult with a disability? Would you like to take your advocacy skills to the next level? Consider applying to the LEND Program.

The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) training program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center:
• Offers family members the opportunity to develop advanced leadership and advocacy skills
• Provides interaction with trainees from a variety of healthcare and related fields
• Includes discussion groups, team and individual projects, and presentations
• Develops advocacy skills through state and national level policy events

To qualify for the family traineeship, the applicant must be a family member of a child or adult with a developmental disability, have demonstrated interest in leadership and advocacy, and have a desire to advocate for all children and adults with disabilities. LEND trainees must dedicate 20 hours per week (on average) to the program for nine months (August through April). Training sessions are held at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. All trainees receive a stipend.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR 2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR: May 15, 2026
To learn more about the LEND training program, visit www.uccedd.org/lend.

For questions and application information contact Sarah Smith at lendtraining@cchmc.org

Several of our SBC self-advocates and family members have participated in LEND and can answer any question you may have. They include Diane Burns, Rocky Byington, John Munnis, Jr., and Kevin Grosskoph. Reach out to the office and we can connect you.

03/11/2026

Transition is the time to start thinking about adult life, jobs, volunteering, college, and more.
Join us for CtLC Live: Employment this March and explore the questions to ask, steps to take, and resources to help plan for the life YOU want.
This session is offered at two different times.
Choose what works best for you!

03/10/2026

Board Member Highlight: Tony Giangrande!

We are thrilled to celebrate our Board Chair, Tony Giangrande, whose leadership and heart have strengthened the Spina Bifida Coalition in so many meaningful ways.

Tony joined the SBC Board in September 2022 and stepped into the role of Board Chair in 2024. He lives in Lakewood, Ohio with his wife, Amber, and their two sons, Wyatt and Ryder—with Ryder living with spina bifida and inspiring Tony’s passion for service and advocacy.

Before joining the board, Tony served on the Northeast Ohio Oversight Committee, where he played a key role in expanding SBC’s service area to include Northeast Ohio. His professional expertise in marketing and as a graphic designer for Sherwin-Williams has been a tremendous asset, bringing creativity, clarity, and polish to our materials and messaging.

Tony is a dedicated advocate for our mission and works tirelessly to support SBC families. We are deeply grateful for his leadership, his design talent, and the genuine care he brings to everything he does.

Fun facts about Tony:
Tony has several tattoos, looks much younger than his stated age, and is an avid toy collector!

Please join us in thanking Tony for all he does for the SBC community.