Rochester Spinal Association

12/09/2024

Learn more about a Superhero to the spinal cord community.

The film is a moving and vivid cinematic telling of Reeve’s remarkable story.

12/03/2024

Today is Giving Tuesday across the US. In the Rochester area, we celebrate this day of charity in conjunction with the United Way as we all ROC the Day! Please support RSA's programs enhancing the qualify of life of people living with spinal cord injuries/disabilities. Thank you!

The Rochester Spinal Association is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of all people living with spinal cord disability. Our programs and services provide support and information to individuals with spinal cord disability and their loved ones, care providers and professionals in the Greater....

11/28/2024

Today and everyday we are thankful for the opportunity to enhance the quality of life of people living with spinal cord injuries/disabilities!

11/11/2024

Thank you to all veterans who served our country. If you are a veteran with a spinal cord disability in the Greater Rochester area, please let us know if RSA can assist you.

11/09/2024

This is a crucial part of air travel for people with various forms of paralysis.

When Ali Ingersoll goes through the airport, she relies on airport service workers to get on and off the plane — an essential role that demands proper training, fair pay and basic benefits so they can do it right.

People with disabilities deserve dignity and fair treatment, and so do the workers who support them. Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Department of Transportation, adopt strong training rules for airport service workers!

Learn more about our Air Travel Initiative: https://unitedspinal.org/accessible-air-travel/

10/31/2024

We're so glad to have peers like Jordan (Preechy Blakkin) out there visiting people with new spinal cord injuries and showing them that there is life - very good life - after spinal cord injury! Jordan and Chris spent the day yesterday at Strong Memorial Hospital with several new patients.

09/27/2024

Yesterday, our Executive Director was present at the White House for the signing of an executive order to reduce gun violence in our nation. RSA is proud of the work we have done to reduce barriers and stigma, and to help individuals who have been shot and paralyzed to enhance their quality of life. There is more work to be done and we will keep at it.

Here is Chris's story regarding his visit to the White House and brief encounter with President Biden:

Yesterday, I was honored to be one of about 150 people present when President Biden signed an executive order for a series of initiatives to reduce gun violence in our nation. The invite is affirmation of the importance of the focus that the Rochester Spinal Association has had for the last three years on survivors of gun violence who have spinal cord injuries.

Our work is primarily in enhancing quality of life, not prevention, but I have had many conversations with survivors about the need to end gun violence and just how pervasive and complicated the problem is. This issue is not right wing or left wing. It’s not about politics. It’s about life and death. It's all very heavy.

I won’t try to summarize the executive order. I'll put a link in the comments to a summary.

On the lighter side, many of you know I have a way of being noticeable in a crowd. I made solid eye contact with President Biden when he walked in, so when he was departing, he quickly came over and took a selfie of us with my phone!

The inside of the White House really is quite amazing and I have to compliment the Secret Service and Armed Forces personnel that directed us to and from the event in the Gold Room. They knew exactly the accessible route for me to get to the room and were very respectful.

The one downside was that the opportunity came up abruptly and details were not clear. I was not able to have any of the survivors from our group be with me at the White House. At the risk of forgetting someone (sorry, I’m on 3 hours of sleep) I'm just going to say that I appreciate many people that have shared their wisdom and experiences with me so I can better do my job. Specifically though, thanks Jill for being the rock that allows me to go off on these wild adventures on nearly no notice.

09/17/2024

The SCI Health Fair is this Saturday at Pieters Family Life Center. For a full agenda and to register, visit us at

Please join RSA and our partners for the annual Spinal Cord Injury Health Fair. This is a great opportunity for people living with spinal cord injuries and similar disabilities to learn more about how to maximize their health, mental health, and overall wellness.

09/10/2024

Last week, we had a great opportunity for a river cruise on the Genesee. It was a test for the boat, a learning opportunity for the crew, and a fun experience for all!

06/07/2024

Our headlines often focus on the body count of gun violence - how many people died today? But what about those that live and are seriously injured? RSA members who have been shot and paralyzed will be part of an important conversation being hosted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation this Monday. Please register and join.

06/05/2024

04/15/2024

RSVP ASAP for our spring picnic.

03/11/2024

Last week, I had the honor of being part of a panel discussing support for gun violence survivors with spinal cord injuries. The panel was part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation annual summit in Washington DC. My co-panelists (Namel TapWaterz Norris, Gucci Mula, and Abdur Noor) are all survivors of gun violence doing good work to help others.

We made some connections from across the country to further collaboration and spread the focus on this underserved population.

12/14/2023

We hosted our second ever, and now annual, ugly holiday sweater party last night at the Pieters Family Life Center. The competition for ugliest sweater was fierce! At the end, when the dust settled, the clear winner was James, with his "birthday boy" sweater vest!