BACKBONES

09/04/2026

🎉 Fun Fact Friday 🎉

Did you know the first-ever Disability Pride Parade was held right here in Chicago?

It stepped off on July 18, 2004, at Solidarity Drive near the Adler Planetarium with the theme "Unified in Pride."

The Grand Marshal that year was Yoshiko Dart - a preeminent leader of the disability rights movement, and wife and partner in activism to Justin Dart, the father of the ADA and godfather of the disability rights movement. Together, they fought to end prejudice against people with disabilities and to strengthen and protect the rights of the disability community. 💙

Chicago has always been a city where disability pride runs deep, and this September, we're bringing that same spirit back for a night of connection, community, and fun.

Join BACKBONES for ConnectNight: Old Chicago, New Connections: an evening built for our community to gather, laugh, and connect (or reconnect!) with old and new friends alike.

📅 September 18, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM CDT
📍 Trigger Chicago, 2810 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60618
🎟️ Tickets: https://www.backbonesonline.org/events-1/connectnight-chicago-2026

09/04/2026

A spinal cord injury can change almost every part of your life.

And sometimes one of the hardest changes is feeling like you're suddenly navigating a world that wasn't built with you in mind.

That's why BACKBONES exists.

We create opportunities for people with spinal cord injuries and their families to connect, build community, develop leadership, and know they're not alone.

09/02/2026

September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month.

We're celebrating the people, stories, relationships, creativity, leadership, and community that make up the spinal cord injury community.

Throughout September, we'll be sharing stories, resources, and some of the work we're doing to make sure people with spinal cord injuries don't have to navigate life alone. Because awareness is a starting point.

-- Connection is what changes things --

Follow along this month and help us celebrate the BACKBONES community. 🧡

09/01/2026

Meet Jamie, our PeerConnect Program Coordinator! 🎉

Jamie joined BACKBONES in April 2026 and coordinates the peer support sessions that keep our community connected. Right now, she's working hard to help plan the most accessible ConnectNight yet: Old Chicago, New Connections, happening September 18th at Trigger Chicago!

As a woman with a spinal cord injury, she's passionate about disability advocacy and pours that passion into everything she builds here.

Outside of BACKBONES, Jamie is also a service dog handler and advocate, and works in service dog placement. Her partner in crime? Her own service dog, Oliver. 🦮

Fun fact: Jamie is a published writer, and a devoted animal lover. 🦝

She looks forward to connecting with the community at ConnectNight Chicago! 💚

Get your tickets for ConnectNight Chicago at https://www.backbonesonline.org/events-1/connectnight-chicago-2026

08/31/2026

Mark your calendars!

ConnectNight Chicago is happening September 18, 2026, and we're putting the call out for volunteers!

If you're able to lend a hand with physical tasks like setting up and breaking down the event space, we could really use you. Whether you can stay for the whole night or just swing by for an hour, every bit of help counts.

This is a great way to be part of a night built around connection and community.

No experience needed, just a willingness to pitch in.

📩 Ready to help? Email us at [email protected], and we'll get you set up.

We can't wait to see this event come together! 💙

08/29/2026

Be Part of the Conversation
Register for the 2026 Spinal Cord Injury PFDD Meeting
September 29th, 2026 - 10 AM – 3 PM ET / 7 AM – 12 PM PT
Virtual Event | Free to Attend

What is PFDD?
Patient-Focused Drug Development (PFDD) is an FDA initiative that brings the voices of people living with spinal cord injury into research, clinical development, and FDA decision-making.

Be Part of the ConversationRegister for the 2026 Spinal Cord Injury PFDD Meeting September 29th, 2026 10 AM – 3 PM ET / 7 AM – 12 PM PT Virtual Event | Free to Attend Click here to register Who should attend? People Living with SCI Caregivers &Family Members HealthcareProfessionals Researchers,I...

08/28/2026

BACKBONES is gearing up for ConnectNight Chicago on September 18, 2026, and we need hands on deck to make it happen!

If you're able to help with physical tasks like event setup and breakdown, we'd love to have you. Whether you've got an hour or the whole evening, your help makes a real difference in creating a space where our community can connect.

No experience necessary, just a willingness to jump in and be part of something meaningful.

📩 Interested? Email us at [email protected] to sign up or ask questions.

Let's make this ConnectNight one to remember. 💙

08/25/2026

Accessibility isn't an afterthought for us - it's the foundation. ♿

We're excited to host ConnectNight: Old Chicago, New Connections at Trigger Chicago, a venue chosen with our community in mind:

♿ Open, flat-floor layout with wide, flexible space — easy to navigate for wheelchairs and mobility aids
🚻 Four full ADA-compliant restrooms on-site
🅿️ On-site parking plus nearby street parking along Addison Street
💵 Pay-What-You-Can, because cost shouldn't be a barrier either

Everyone deserves a space where they can show up fully and comfortably, and that's exactly what we're building on September 18.

📅 Sept 18, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM CDT
📍 Trigger Chicago, 2810 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60618
🔗 RSVP: https://www.backbonesonline.org/events-1/connectnight-chicago-2026

08/24/2026

There's something special about the way our community shows up for one another — and community is built one conversation at a time.

Join us Friday, September 18, 2026, for "Old Chicago, New Connections" at Trigger Chicago. It's a night to honor our roots and grow our future together.

We've made this a Pay-What-You-Can event because your presence is what matters most. Let's make some new memories.

When? Sep 18, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM CDT
Where? Trigger Chicago
2810 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618, USA

RSVP at: https://buff.ly/vLcUQK1

08/17/2026

What questions do you have about bladder management after SCI/D?

Join us for Bladder Talk: Real Questions, Real Answers — a PeerConnect session with guest speakers Melissa Morrison-Jacobus, RN, CURN, and Meredith Cole, BSN, CRRN, presented in partnership with Hollister Incorporated.

📅 Wednesday, August 19th
🕠 5:30pm CST

Bring your questions, we'll bring the answers. Link to register below 👇

https://www.backbonesonline.org/events-1/bladder-talk-real-questions-real-answers