Services
Financial Assistance
One of the largest barriers to independence that a disabled
individual faces is the financial burden that must be overcome to hire assistance, purchase medical equipment & adaptive devices, and obtain affordable housing that is accessible. The NSCIA-SWC
Greatest Needs Fund (GNF) was established to help those individuals in times of crisis to obtain necessary equipment or services when other funding sources fail.
Mission: To help individuals with traumatic spinal cord injuries overcome situations of crisis when that person’s physical and/or emotional safety is threatened. We will provide short-term assistance while working with the individual to help them find other services or programs that will meet their long-term needs.
Vision: To become a primary resource for all spinal cord injured individuals and their families in Wisconsin, where they can go to one place to find information on community services and programs, housing and advocacy issues, and make requests for grants to fulfill a critical need.
Typical Funding Services
- Wheelchairs for individuals with no insurance, or if insurance will not cover something that without, will jeopardize the well-being of the individual
- Insurance co-pays for critical equipment or adaptions
- Repairs to medical equipment
- Necessary home modifications
- Wheelchair cushions
- Transportation to Medical Appointments, support groups, and NSCIA-SWC sponsored events
Support Group/Peer Advising
NSCIA-SWC provides trained spinal cord-injured persons to meet and talk with newly injured patients and their families during and after the hospital stay. It has been our experience that a person who has suffered a similar injury can have a very real and credible influence upon a newly injured patient. These experienced individuals can provide insight into the details and answers regarding the disability to the patient and his/her family that able-bodied health professionals are unable to.
Respite Pavilion
The Stephen J. Schwalbe Respite Center on the Summerfest grounds was dedicated in June of 1996. This building is intended as an oasis for persons with disabilities and other special needs. It has 2 large accessible restrooms, a shower, changing area, storage lockers, heat & air conditioning, a walled off patio, and to our knowledge is the only facility of its kind in the country. It is open from noon to 9:00 pm every day of every event held at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park. It is staffed by volunteers from our organization and used by over 4000 people every year. Many of these individuals would not be able to attend any of the spectacular events held each year on the festival grounds if it were not for this facility.
It is located next to the Miller stage, midway between the South gate and the Main gate.
Scholarships
NSCIA-SWC awards up to four $500.00 extended education scholarships each year to students with spinal cord injuries or children of parents with SCI/D. Two scholarships are given in the Spring, and two are given in the Fall semesters. Deadline for applications are: March 31 for the Spring semester and October 31 for the Fall semester.
Eligibility requirements are:
- Must have an SCI or Disease of the spinal cord, or the child of a parent with SCI/D.
- Submit a letter of recommendation.
- Submit a copy of education transcripts.
Submit a short essay describing your education objectives and plans for the future (No more than one page.)
Donate to NSCIA-SWC to
help provide critical services and aid to people with
spinal cord injuries.
Please click the button
above or follow this link
for more information.
Upcoming events hosted
by NSCIA-SWC (check back soon for more information):
Free Bowling! - May 16
Wheels & Heels - July 15
Annual Picnic - Sept 18
Annual Dinner - TBD
