United Spinal Association and Independence Care System (ICS), are co-sponsoring the first annual conference to improve the lives, health, and well-being of women with disabilities.
The conference titled From Within -- A Discussion About Self-Esteem, Self-Awareness, & Self-Empowerment for Women with Disabilities, will include a variety of workshops to enable women with disabilities to overcome many common obstacles toward a better quality of life.
Open to the public, From Within attendees will have the opportunity to participate in frank and open discussions on self-image, parenting, fitness & nutrition, dating & socializing, relationships, abuse & domestic violence, and breast health care.
"Women with physical disabilities are invisible in our society. You seldom see images of women using wheelchairs or other mobility devices in the commercial media. And the special needs of women with disabilities don't show up in the diversity conversation either. Our goal is to give women with physical disabilities an opportunity to discuss self-esteem and self-awareness and become empowered to take charge of all areas of their health and lives," says Marlene Harmon-Perkins, United Spinal's VP for Corporate and Donor Relations and an organizer of the event.
"This event is one of Independence Care System's initiatives to address the full range of the healthcare needs of women with physical disabilities," says Marilyn Saviola, ICS Director of Advocacy, who will be among the presenters. "It will provide a special opportunity for women to think about all the aspects of their lives and health."
One of the event's keynote speakers, Wendy Crawford, who is founder of mobileWomen.org, a site dedicated to women who use wheelchairs, will talk about "The Raw Beauty Project," an innovative visual arts project designed to inspire the public to create new perceptions, transform stereotypes and break through personal obstacles in expanding awareness of women with physical challenges. Crawford also chairs United Spinal's Women Without Limits Advisory Committee, which is committed to enhancing the lives of all women with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) by identifying and addressing the many issues that are relevant in their lives.