http://www.BACKBONESONLINE.org/

BACKBONES, P. O. Box 7334, Prospect Heights, IL (2026)

01/26/2026

💙 Please join us in welcoming Ben Iammartino as one of this year’s participants in BACKBONES’s Leaders Program! 💙

Ben Iammartino is a passionate and resilient college student who prides himself on turning his negative experiences into positive stories. He is a mental health and disability advocate who uses his openness and vulnerability to spread positivity.

Ben is currently a psychology major with a family studies minor at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. He is a sophomore with a strong desire to be a medical social worker and a public/motivational speaker. He loves using his voice to educate students around campus and spark change around the world around him.

Outside of the college campus, he loves going to his CrossFit gym and cooking a variety of different foods. He loves the challenges that CrossFit brings throughout every workout and he loves the calmness that cooking brings him. His big goal outside of a professional goal is to write a book based on the lessons and positivity that his experiences have taught him.

01/22/2026

"Osteoporosis is a silent but significant health issue for many people, especially those of us with spinal cord injuries. It often develops rapidly and progresses unnoticed. Research shows that more than 50% of individuals with complete spinal cord injuries experience osteoporosis within the first year, with rates climbing to over 80% in chronic cases. Despite its high prevalence, osteoporosis in the SCI population is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated, with few people receiving pharmacologic treatments."

Read more !

Image description: A small brown and white dog sat on the couch next to their person. The right side of the image shows the person's leg in a cast/wrap.

01/21/2026

🥣 National Soup Month is here, and we’re serving up more than just soup!💪

At BACKBONES, we know living the SCI/D life takes energy- and a little comfort food never hurts. Whether it’s a spoon, adaptive cutlery, or your favorite go-to bowl of soup, taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your community.

This month, let’s celebrate nourishment, resilience, and the power of coming together- one delicious spoonful at a time.

🍲What fills your cup and keeps you going? Tell us below.🍲

01/19/2026

💙 Please join us in welcoming Alex Cano as one of this year’s participants in BACKBONES’s Leaders Program! 💙

Alexander Cano Gonzalez is a motivated advocate for disability inclusion, community empowerment, and independent living. Born and raised in Aurora, Colorado, Alexander brings a deep commitment to uplifting others through shared lived experience, peer connection, and accessible support systems. His journey navigating disability services, caregiving structures, and statewide programs has shaped his passion for helping others understand and access the resources they deserve.

Rooted in his Colorado community, Alexander has become a strong voice for self-advocacy, system navigation, and youth empowerment. His firsthand experiences with Medicaid waiver services, IHSS caregiving, and community health programs drive his dedication to supporting individuals and families who face similar barriers. He is known for his ability to communicate clearly, connect authentically, and help others feel seen and understood.

Outside of advocacy, Alexander is deeply committed to personal growth and leadership. Through BACKBONES, he aims to strengthen his skills in community outreach, program leadership, and storytelling, using his journey to empower others with spinal cord injuries and disabilities. He hopes to contribute openness, empathy, and a strong willingness to learn — and looks forward to growing alongside peers who share the mission of building a more inclusive world.

Through his lived experience, cultural pride, and commitment to service, Alexander advocates for access, dignity, and equal opportunity for people with disabilities across Colorado and beyond.

01/12/2026

💙 Please join us in welcoming Zelene Sanchez as one of this year’s participants in BACKBONES’s Leaders Program! 💙

Zelene (Seh-Leh-NEH) Sanchez is an undergraduate student studying Communication and Graphic Design. She is committed to advocating for disability justice after sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2019. Discovering art therapy during her inpatient rehabilitation recovery ignited her creative work in painting, drawing, and collaging.

Joining the spinal cord injury community is what is continuously shaping Zelene into a thoughtful advocate and mentor. She currently serves as a peer mentor for individuals with newly acquired physical disabilities, where she supports them in navigating their transition back to community living. Zelene is passionate about fostering community, uplifting disability culture, and working towards becoming a strong leader amongst others in her circles.

01/09/2026

Bob Kafka spent his life doing the work that matters-supporting others, challenging systems, and leading with care. As a lifelong disability rights activist and organizer with ADAPT, he facilitated direct action, trained advocates, and fought for accessibility and community-based care. His impact lives on in the people and communities he shaped. May we honor him by continuing the work.

February 1946-December 2025

Photo Credits: The People’s Portfolio

Image: Black and white photo of Bob Kafka looking directly into the camera with a neutral expression. Towards the bottom of the image, black text in a white textbox reads: ""Don't mourn, organize." -Bob Kafka"

01/05/2026

💙 Please join us in welcoming Angeline Hamele as one of this year’s participants in BACKBONES’s Leaders Program! 💙

Angeline Hamele is a disability rights advocate, designer, and community educator dedicated to expanding access, autonomy, and opportunity for powerchair users and disabled people across the United States. Drawing from their lived experience navigating lifelong mobility barriers and New York State service systems, including ACCES-VR and paratransit programs, Angeline turns personal challenges into strategic advocacy rooted in systems knowledge and community care.

Their work highlights the structural gaps that restrict disabled people’s freedom of movement and calls attention to tangible solutions such as accessible vehicle funding, inclusive design, and meaningful policy reform. As a peer mentor and community organizer, Angeline supports disabled individuals in navigating benefits, equipment needs, and state programs while fostering confidence, self-advocacy, and independence.

Through writing, speaking, and collaborative projects, Angeline promotes a future where access is expected, mobility is supported, and disabled people have the tools they need to participate fully in their communities.

01/03/2026

2026 is about CONNECTION and SHOWING UP for each other.

How will you show up for our community this year?

#2026

12/30/2025

Here's to another great year! Thank you to everyone who made 2025 a special one 💙

#2026

Image: A white page taped to an orange background. The text reads as: "As we approach the new year, BACKBONES wants to say thank you to all those who contributed in 2025."

12/29/2025

💙 Please join us in welcoming Analiese Fazio as one of this year’s participants in BACKBONES’s Leaders Program! 💙

Analiese is guided by curiosity, creativity, and a drive to support others through meaningful education. She acquired a T10 spinal cord injury in 2010 while on her way to school, an experience that reshaped her life and strengthened her commitment to growth and connection.

Today, Analiese works as a CEU producer, where she develops thoughtful and accessible training materials in Applied Behavior Analysis. She enjoys the challenge of taking complex concepts and transforming them into resources that help practitioners learn, grow, and better serve their communities. Building on this passion, she is in the process of launching her own company, Catnap ABA Resources, which will provide innovative tools and continuing education opportunities for professionals in the field.

Outside of her work, Analiese finds joy in reading, writing, art, and travel. These interests fuel her creativity and offer fresh perspectives that shape both her personal and professional life. Through her lived experience with spinal cord injury, she hopes to uplift others, strengthen community connections, and help create spaces where people with disabilities can thrive.

12/26/2025

After a spinal cord injury, one of the hardest things can be the isolation.

PeerConnect program was created to break that isolation — to give people with SCI/D a place to show up as they are, share resources, and feel a part of something.

Through virtual gatherings and in-person meetups, our community learns, laughs, and builds real relationships that often last far beyond the sessions.

One community member shared:
“Thank you so much! I look forward to attending more sessions in the future. As someone who is newly injured, these kinds of sessions are extremely valuable to me. Thank you so much for having them!”

We had really engaging topics and guest speakers this year and are working on our line-up for 2026. Stay tuned!

#2026

Orange and blue graphic with a photo of two wheelchair users turning towards each other in a group. PeerConnect banner across the photo. Text reads "Stay tuned. New Eent dates in January 2026"

12/23/2025

The holidays can look (and feel) different when you’re living with or caring for someone with SCI/D. At Backbones, we believe the most meaningful traditions are built on connection, understanding, and support.

Whether you’re navigating snowy sidewalks, holiday stress, or just craving a space where you’re truly seen, our community is here- cheering you on, all season long. 💙

Sending warmth, joy, and love to everyone in the SCI/D community this December. ❄️💙

BACKBONES

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