WINTER 2010

Welcome to the newelectronic Crossroads!

SBAIL is now publishing Crossroadselectronically on the SBAIL website inresponse to the requests of many membersand to adapt to the rapidly transformingcommunications environment.Other communications and announcementswill be posted on the SBAIL website morefrequently, so please check our site for the

most up-to-date news. You can also nd us

on Facebook and Twitter.In order to continue receiving regular communications from SBAIL, please—if youhave not already done so—forward us your e-mail address.Please contact us atsbail@sbail.orgwithyour name and e-mail address.

Attend theChicagoland Bowl-A-Thon

Join us for on Saturday, April 10th at thePoplar Creek Bowling Alley in HoffmanEstates from 2pm to 4pm for theChicagoland Bowl-A-Thon.A $25 bowling fee includes 2 hours of bowling, soda and free pizza. Bowl for freeby raising $25 or more.

SAVE THE DATE

:What: Chicagoland Bowl-A-ThonWhen: Saturday, April 10, 2010When: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PMWhere: Poplar Creek BowlCost: $25 - raise pledges &bowl for free

Crossroads

Mark Your Calendar

March 6First SaturdaySessionMarch 27SBAIL SpringConferenceApril 3First SaturdaySessionApril 10ChicagolandBowl-A-ThonMay 1First SaturdaySessionJune 5First SaturdaySessionJune 26Pony Up for

Spina Bida

June 27-30NationalConference,Cincinnati, Ohio

SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS

April 24Emerald IsleFundraiser August 1Windy City

Corvette Rafe

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome to the Electronic Crossroads............1Attend the Chicagoland Bowl-A-Thon............1Mark Your Calendar............1

President’s Message

............32010-2011 Scholarships............32010 Spring Workshop............4

Windy City Rafe Tickets............4

From the Desk of the Executive Director

............5Edison Park Turkey Trot ............5First Look for Charity Event ............6Bloomington Candlelight Bowl............6Family Holiday Party............7-8Anixter Village Holiday Party............8Fall Family Classic a success............9Record set at Bloomington Memorial Walk............9NICB Raises Money for SBAIL............10SB Genetics Update ............10Design for Well-Being class at RIC ............11Sport & Recreation Programs from CPD ............11Conductive Education Summer Camp............ 12Join the Junior Wheelchair Bulls............12

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N e w & U p c o m i n g

R e c en t N ew s

M o r e I n f o

President’s Message

By Mark BernsteinGreetings. This is our annual message to letyou, the people we serve, know where we havebeen and where we are going. During the lastyear, there were many successes for our organization, but also some struggles. Wecontinue to make great strides as anorganization in broadening our reach andservices.This year, we are partnering with the YMCA’sCamp Independence to provide a summer camping experience. Camp Independence islocated at Camp Duncan in Ingleside, Illinois,

and is a brand new facility designed specically

for those with disabilities. Look for the campapplication which should be arriving soon. Weare also providing support to Anixter Village inChicago, the only housing dedicated to

support the transition of adults with Spina Bida

to independent living in the community. Throughboth of these programs, we will provide not onlydirect services to improve the lives of thosewho are affected, but also important informationabout how to make other and future programsbetter.We have also continued the new programs thatwere started last year to provide direct services

to families affected by Spina Bida. The

meeting groups and workshops have been asuccess and participation is growing. Thegroups are informative in an enjoyable socialsetting. We encourage you to use these pro-grams as a resource.

Like all non-prot organizations, however, the

current economic troubles have affected our association. We continue, however, to expandour reach and seek new partners andsupporters. There is no other organization inIllinois that is dedicated to serving people

affected by Spina Bida. Your continued

support is therefore critical to our continuedsuccess, and we ask that in the coming year youresolve to get more involved with our organization. There are always opportunitiesand a need for volunteers and supporters.We look forward to seeing and hearing from youduring the coming year. In the future, wherepossible, we plan to communicate by e-mail soplease forward your e-mail addresses so we canstay in touch. Best wishes for a safe, happy andhealthy year.

Apply for a Scholarshipfrom SBAIL

Now is the time to ll out an application for an

SBAIL scholarship for the 2010-2011 academic

year. If you are a young adult with Spina Bida

or a high school senior planning to attendcollege or other post-secondary school, or if you’re currently enrolled in one, you are eligibleto apply.The deadline for applications is April 16, 2010.Scholarship guidelines and applications areavailablehere online.

Please call the SBAIL ofce at 773-444-0305 for

an application by mail or for answer to questionsabout application guidelines.

Follow SBAIL online

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