United Spinal Association Chapter Check-In: Minnesota


Minnesota Chapter: Professional Focus

Karen Quammen and Rebecca Panser
Karen Quammen and Rebecca Panser

Connecting with the local community of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders is obviously the first priority of any chapter, but many chapters have found that one of the best ways to help that community is by reaching out to the professionals and individuals who work and live in and around the SCI/D community. Aside from family members and friends, the biggest such group is medical professionals — doctors, therapists, clinicians and providers.

That group is at the heart of a concerted push by the Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury Association to provide its members with the best resources and opportunities. Chapter board member Karen Quammen believes in the approach. “We feel like there is such an advantage to talking with the professional side of SCI. They see individuals in the medical setting and we want them to see them outside of that medical setting. It’s kind of a different perspective — a different conversation — so that they’re not seeing them as patients, so that they’re seeing them as people in the community.”

To start that conversation, last September, MNSCIA brought together regional professionals for “Bridging Together: Advanced Spinal Cord Injury Conference.” “With MNSCIA members at each table we used lunch to have candid dialogue with nurses, therapists, and doctors about our theme, ‘Authentic Answers to Unspoken Questions.’ We explained what it is like to live with SCI,” says board member Shawn Dean.

Based on feedback from participants and chapter members, the event was a huge success. The chapter held a similar event this spring in Duluth and is in talks with Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute about hosting another in 2015.

The chapter’s focus on building professional relationships doesn’t stop with medical and SCI-related professionals. “We’re going to be working with major corporations here in the Twin Cities and hosting a career day for individuals with disabilities as well as an abilities expo,” says Quammen. “We want to make sure that if people are looking at going back to work or changing careers — or anything like that —  that we’re going to have the resources to help support them.”

The MNSCIA chapter focuses on forging relationships between professionals in the medical field and people who have SCIs.
The MNSCIA chapter focuses on forging relationships between professionals in the medical field and people who have SCIs.

Quammen has extensive experience organizing similar events as the state coordinator for disability mentoring day, a former president of the Minnesota Business leadership Network and a founding board member of US Business Leadership Network. She hopes the chapter can partner with major corporations like Medtronic, 3M, United Health Group and General Mills to connect its member and local people with disabilities with good jobs and career advice.

“We see building professional and corporate relationships as an asset to our members and we are really working on it,” she says. “We’re bringing a team of business reps together with folks form the MNSCIA on a planning committee and we are going to start meeting right after the first of the year.” So far she says the response from corporations has been enthusiastic and positive. “I see us forging this type of relationship and providing opportunities for people with SCI and other disabilities to be part of the community.”

Chapter Leadership Meeting

The Minnesota chapter served as host for the 2014 Chapter Leadership Meeting Sept. 11-13. Quammen says it was a privilege and that she only wishes the weekend event had been longer. “We can all learn so much from each other and I would’ve loved to see additional presentations from different chapters. Every chapter is doing unique things but we don’t necessarily always get to hear about those things,” she says.

Board member Joey Carlson was one of many hometown attendees who joined in outings to visit some of the Twin Cities landmarks. An after-hours excursion to downtown hotspot The News Room was deemed a success and hinted at the attendees’ resourcefulness. “The restaurant looked pretty panicked when they saw 15 or so wheelchair users coming, but they were able to move everything out of the way and I think everyone had a great time,” says Carlson. Carlson said the weekend was a valuable experience. “I’ve got some new friends and I know that I have connections in other states that I can reach out to if we have a member traveling here,” he says.


Spotlight: The Twin Cities

Rob Wudlick

by Rob Wudlick

My Take

Many think of Minnesota as a cold state, but in the summer, the sun shines strong. With hundreds of accessible trails to explore around the Mississippi River and lakes, you could spend years wandering and still discover new corners to explore. Restaurants and shops reflect a diverse culture in the cities. If you plan it right, you can see Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, roam the streets that inspired many of Bob Dylan’s tunes, catch a show at Prince’s First Avenue nightclub, or empty your wallet at the Mall of America.
Worried about the winter cold and snow? No problem. With Minneapolis’ skyline system, one can make it across the city without having to step outside. The skyline features eight miles of enclosed and connected buildings and up to three stories of restaurants, shops, event centers, sports venues, hotels, universities and even a Target. On the other side of the river, St. Paul has many attractions, such as the large Science Museum of Minnesota, the historic state capital, and winter events like the Winter Carnival. It is also home to the Wild, Minnesota’s NHL team.

Skinny on the City

Minneapolis and St. Paul lie in the land of 10,000 lakes and offer countless opportunities. With many trails and parks to explore around the summertime and over eight miles of skyway shops and amenities in downtown Minneapolis to keep people from the cold frigid winters, the Twin Cities offer year-round recreation for all.

Places to Go

There are endless opportunities for accessible urban exploration in the summertime. You could visit the Como Zoo and Conservatory across the Mississippi on the historic Stone Arch Bridge, watch barges navigate the locks at St. Anthony Falls, or go to a Twins baseball game.

When it comes to huge outdoor parties in the middle of winter, St. Paul’s Winter Carnival is the best.
When it comes to huge outdoor parties in the middle of winter, St. Paul’s Winter Carnival is the best.

In the winter, you can pick from a multitude of art museums, such as the Walker Art Center, showcasing modern art, and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, which features many centuries of art from across the globe. Professional hockey, football and basketball teams also provide nightly entertainment during the winter months.

Outside of the city, you can visit the University of Minnesota’s Landscape Arboretum, which has miles of accessible trails through beautifully landscaped Midwestern terrain, or explore one of many parks designed for accessibility operated by the Three Rivers Park District.

Available Health Care

The ABLE program at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley is one of eight community fitness and wellness sites overseen by the NeuroRecovery Network through the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. It offers aggressive post-rehabilitation services to keep your body in shape. People come from all over the Midwest to receive services from CKRI, which is the largest upper-Midwest healthcare provider for people with neurological needs.

Getting Around

The Twin Cities boast a new and growing light rail system that makes it easy for wheelchair users to get around. And it makes getting into town from the airport convenient. The city bus system also offers clean and scheduled rides around most parts of the Twin Cities and surrounding area.

Metro Mobility, provided by the city and state, offers the most reliable, customizable and affordable accessible transportation. It is important to line up your ride a day or two ahead of time and plan on minor delays, as this service is very popular.

There are also countless private accessible shuttles and taxi services on the Internet. If you’re driving yourself, parking in the city does cost standard city parking fees, but there are many places to park and the roads are mostly pothole-free, except for in the spring — just watch out for the ice in the winter.  Minnesotans’ reputation for having nice personalities holds true and manifests itself in the patient driving habits of most of those who live here. It definitely isn’t Boston.

Must See, Must Do

Target Field, home to the Minnesota Twins, was built in 2010 and is the golden standard for accessible stadiums, featuring multiple levels of integrated accessible design and non-obstructed views from standing crowds. You’ll even find the occasional built-in power charger for when you need some power-chair juice.


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