Tom Doughty, (www.tomdoughty.com) a Professional Lap Slide guitarist who has been a tetraplegic since 1974, has secured Arts Council funding to hold a series of workshops and concerts at every Spinal Injuries Centre in the UK and Eire. First priority for workshops will be given to in patients and ex patients with the initiative taking place between mid April and May 2012. Confirmed dates can be found on Tom’s web site www.tomdoughty.com As well as gigging, session work and recording, Tom teaches lap slide guitar from his home and the internet using Skype.

An amateur guitarist before his accident, Tom spent years re-learning and inventing ways to play the guitar without the need for finger movement and now has an International following and recognition. Recent projects include collaboration with the classical guitarist Craig Ogden where the Duo play duets from Renaissance music to Jazz.

Tom has released 3 CDs, and tours throughout the UK and abroad. Information about some of his work is featured in this short film:http://youtu.be/XavkjayLHQM and here http://youtu.be/5biLdNnC-L8

The workshops will be held at each spinal centre, spanning half a day and will include methods and techniques, equipment and advice on how to teach slide guitar. Yamaha Europe are supplying a guitar for each centre and Bose are loaning an L1 sound system to Tom for the tour. the project may also be professionally filmed.

Evening concerts will be open to all.

To book a place, or for further information, contact tom: tom@tomdoughty.com or on 07989 919 486

Everyone at SIS would like to thank Chris and all of those who contributed, its an amazing effort and one which is very much appreciated by the organisation.

You can see footage of Chris’ jump on our youtube channel here

On the 11^th of November the Spinal Injuries Scotland Winter Dinner Dance courtesy of Digby Brown was held at The Thistle Hotel in Glasgow. Over 400 guests were treated to a night of fun, entertainment and just the right amount of education courtesy of a range of speakers and acts on the night. Guests were invited to take part in the casino, prize draw and tombola. Prizes ranged from a knitted doll portraying a paramedic to a brand new Nissan Pixo car! Another feature of the evening was the silent auction. Up for grabs were items such as signed football jerseys, luxury cottage breaks, VIP tickets to music and theatre shows and 2 hours of tattooing time amongst many others. 

We were delighted to see so many SIS supporters and members alike in attendance. The special guest for the evening was comedienne Ruby Wax, who brought her customary brand of humour.  Ruby launched into an equally hilarious and candid routine about her experiences of depression and mental illness. Talking about his own experience of spinal injury was athlete and SIS member Kenny Herriot. Kenny’s message and spirit hit home with the audience, highlighting the effects of a spinal injury and also the need for a determined and positive attitude. Kenny and Clober Farm Project Coordinator Shaun Dargan spoke of their cross country cycle which took place in August.

Also included on the night was a live version of the Noel Edmonds game show ‘Deal or No Deal’, which saw the lucky winner take away £1111.11, the sum chosen to reflect the date of the event.   

The evening came to close with the announcement of the raffle winner – who got to drive off in the brand new Nissan Pixo donated by Digby Brown. As much as the Winter Dinner Dance is a celebration and a brilliant evening of glitz and glamour, it is also phenomenally important in gaining extra support and raising awareness. Without the generous contributions of all involved we would never be able to raise the funds necessary to continue and expand on our work. Speaking of which, the total raised from the event was …..£55,000!!! In the current economic climate this is an exceptional amount of money to come from this type of event. Everyone at SIS would like to thank all of those who took part in making the event a success once again.

Well done Michael Kerr, another fine example of being an SIS Ambassador and Paralympian

Please let us know if you have seen other billboards with Michael on them.

Brian Grassie, Office Manager, and staff from the Spinal Unit are pictured with the TVs.

Fight the cuts to disability benefits

Join in the protest rally
11am at the Ross Bandstand
Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens

Why protest?

The Welfare Reform Bill is being talked about in Parliament just
now. If passed it could mean that disabled people in the UK will
have their benefits cut over the next few years. We must speak
out against these cuts.

Where and When?

On Saturday, 22 October, The Hardest Hit protests are taking
place across the UK. In Edinburgh a group of organisations are
having an event led by disabled people.
11 am Gather at the Ross Bandstand, Edinburgh.
12 pm People with personal experience of what the cuts
will mean to them as well as speakers from political
parties will be on the stage.
1pm The rally finishes.

Register Now

Make your voice heard. Join the rally or find out more:
e-mail: scotland@hardesthit.org.uk
call: Caitlin on 0131 652 3140 or textphone 0141 341 5347

Spread the word

facebook/thehardesthit #hardesthit
Visit our website and tell us your story
http://the hardesthit.wordpress.com/protest-online

For More information contact: Craig Semple on: 0131 319 8147 or email: wdd@digbybrown.co.uk to find out more information and to reserve your table.

The venue for the AGM is the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injury Unit in the Stepdown Unit. If you have any special requirements or would like any further information please contact the office on: info@sisonline.org or 0141 427 7686.

If you are interested in Wheelchair Basketball why not give it a try, you never know until you try it.

Click on the link below or on the image to view the flyer for the event.

Wheelchair Basketball in Renfrewshire

It is estimated that in Scotland there is a disabled person or person with a long-term illness living in just over one in three households. As Scotland’s only disability, rehabilitation and homecare show, Naidex Scotland caters for a widespread need by providing access to all the latest independent living solutions and services available on the disability market. It is the ideal place to see all the new and innovative independent living solutions, from wheelchairs and WAVs to adjustable furniture and bathing and showering equipment.

Visiting Naidex Scotland also provides an excellent opportunity to get free help and advice on a vast range of issues. Some of the UK’s leading organisations and charities will be at the show to offer information and guidance, including Enable, the chosen charity of the year for Naidex Scotland. The popular Meet the OT feature will be offering members of the public a chance to speak face-to-face with a qualified occupational therapist, who will give professional advice for free, and appointments can be booked in advance at www.naidex.co.uk/ot Another aspect of the show not to be missed is Spinal Injuries Scotland’s seminar in the Inspiration Theatre at 12pm on Wednesday 14th.

Visitors to Naidex Scotland can expect to see all the usual show features that make visiting so worthwhile such as the Communication & Learning Village, home to the latest communication aids and assistive technology. New features that have now been added to the show include the Car Zone, where many of the UK’s leading vehicle converters will be exhibiting the latest wheelchair assisted vehicle developments. Also making its Naidex Scotland debut is KideQuip, the must see zone dedicated to children with special needs, where visitors and healthcare professionals will be able to meet and discuss individual needs and products with exhibitors.

Naidex Scotland also presents a wealth of career benefits for all healthcare professionals. Not only will they have the opportunity to become acquainted with the latest products on offer; they can also enhance their professional development and add to their portfolio by attending the free CPD seminars supported The College of Occupational Therapists.

For more information on Naidex Scotland and to register for free entry please visit www.naidex.co.uk/scotland  or click on the logo below and quote priority code ESIS

Visit Spinal Injuries Scotland on stand G12 at Naidex Scotland