Spina Bifida Association of Illinois
Did You Know...?
Folic Acid: The Best Hope for Prevention
400 micrograms of folic acid every day can reduce the risk of a baby being born with Spina Bifida by as much as 70%.
Join Our Mailing List
Communication sent includes the SBAIL Newsletter, event updates and information.
Programs Available from SBAIL
The Spina Bifida Association of Illinois currently offers a full array of programs to families dealing with Spina Bifida.
For more information or to participate in these programs, please call us at (773) 444-0305 or get in touch with us from our contact page.
Some of these programs include:
Adult Advisory Committee (AAC)
Crossroads - the quarterly newsletter
Family Outreach
The Family Outreach Program was developed in 1987 by parents of children with Spina Bifida. It grew out of a strong belief that new parents can find help and support by sharing experiences with other parents who have "been there".
The program is an invaluable resource for families who have to come to terms with this complicated birth defect. A referral network of trained volunteers is available to provide parents with information, understanding and reassurance needed to adjust to new circumstances posed by Spina Bifida.
Family Outreach works in cooperation with hospitals and clinics in Illinois as a service of the Spina Bifida Association of Illinois. As the Family Outreach Program grows, our goal is to help ensure that Illinois Spina Bifida families are NOT alone as they work toward understanding and adapting to their special lives.
Online Forum
The online forum was created to help link people in the Spina Bifida
community together throughout the entire state of Illinois along with
those outside the areas that we serve.
Take a look at our Forum
page to
find opportunities to discuss topics such as medical issues, transportation,
accessibility and expand your networking!
Adult Advisory Committee (AAC)
The AAC holds monthly meetings which provide a forum for adults to network and create appropriate programming for the adult community.
Network with other adults, learn about opportunities, and contribute to the future of decisions of SBAIL.
Crossroads
The quarterly newsletter is available to families and friends of SBAIL.
Please note: as of January, 2010,
SBAIL is now publishing Crossroads electronically on the SBAIL website in response to the requests of many members and to adapt to the rapidly transforming communications environment.
If you or a friend or family member will not be able to access the Internet and would like to request a hard copy, please contact
Chris Byrne via email or at 773-444-0305 so that the latest copy can be sent to you via mail.
View past newsletters online
Emergency Assistance Funds
Financial assistance for braces, therapy, equipment, and urological supplies (Illinois residents and members of SBAIL only).
Guidelines:
- Money given is for the direct benefit of the individual affected by Spina Bifida.
- Applicant needs to prove that he or she (or parent (s)) is unable to pay for this request.
- Money is not paid to an individual. Money will be paid directly to vendor/supplier.
- Required documentation must be from medical professional, equipment company, etc.
- No medication is covered with the exception of urological medications.
- All money granted will be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and will be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS) by an independent CPA.
Scholarship Fund
Financial award for post-secondary education for young adults with Spina Bifida. Applicants must reside in Illinois.
Winners may have a brief biography published in the quarterly newsletter, Crossroads.
SBAIL also offers the Valiant Scholarship,
a $2,500 scholarship awarded to the applicant who demonstrates the best ability and most experience to help others with Spina Bifida.
The application for all scholarships for the 2010-2011 Academic Year is due Friday, April 16, 2010.
Fall Family Classic Summer Picnic
Each year SBAIL sponsors a picnic for our members. This annual event gives families an opportunity to meet other families in similar circumstances.
2009 was the first year that the Picnic was combined with our annual Walk-And-Roll-A-Thon and we plan to continue this tradition going forward.
Read about the 2009 Fall Family Classic
Holiday Party
The Holiday Party is a winter favorite for the families of SBAIL. Held each year in December, all children will receive a gift and have the opportunity to visit Santa. Parents and children alike will have the opportunity to network with old friends and meet new ones.
Read about the 2009 Family Holiday Party
What's New at SBAIL
- 2010 SBAIL Workshop
- 2010 Scholarship Fund Application
- Win a New Corvette!
- Central Illinois Group Meetings
Thank you for your support!
SBAIL depends upon public donations to continue its work. You can help! Making a donation through our secure server is fast and easy, and when we receive your donation, we will send you an acknowledgment in the mail for tax purposes. Click the button below to make a donation.
The Family Resource Center on Disabilities supports programming through the SBAIL. This collaboration is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.
