Frequently Asked Questions
About the Resource Center
Q. What does the Florida Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center (FSCIRC) do and how can you help me?
A. FSCIRC provides information, education, and peer mentoring to anyone in the state of Florida with a spinal cord injury.
Q. How can I become a peer mentor?
A. Click here to learn how to become a mentor.
Q. I’m newly injured, how can I request a peer mentor?
A. You can request a peer mentor by contacting FSCIRC or your BSCIP case manager.
Funding/Employment
Q. Does FSCIRC provide any kind of funding?
A. No, we do not provide funding.
Q. I need money, what can I do?
A. Well, the answer to this question remains the same whether you have a spinal cord injury or not – you have to work for it! Fortunately, there is a state program called Vocational Rehabilitation which can help you get back to work.
Transportation
Q. How can I find out about accessible transportation in my area?
A. There are 2 places you can look. First, you can use the FSCIRC Database to locate your nearest Center for Independent Living and contact them. Secondly, you can visit the Florida Senior Safety Resource Center and search their database of companies that offer accessible transportation.
Q. What companies do vehicle modifications and where can I go for my driving assessment?
A. You can find the companies closest to you by searching the FSCIRC Database.
Other Questions
Q. How can I find a support group in my area?
A. You can find the list of support groups on the Support Group page on our website.
Q. I lost the phone number for my BSCIP Case Manager, where can I find it?
A. All the BSCIP Case Managers and their contact information are listed in the FSCIRC Database.
Q. My family member recently became injured, where can I find a list of rehabilitation centers?
A. You can find the list of BSCIP designated facilities in the FSCIRC Database.
Q. Are there any places that can loan me equipment?
A. Yes, there are 2 places. The 1st place is your nearest Center for Independent Living (CIL). Your CIL has a loan closet that contains durable medical equipment. You can find your nearest CIL in the FSCIRC Database. The 2nd place you can find equipment is FAAST. FAAST has an assistive technology device loan closet featuring items that can be used by higher level injuries.
Q. Are there nursing homes that have experience with SCI?
A. Yes, there are two facilities:
Conway Lakes Health & Rehab Center Florida Club Care Center
5201 Curry Ford Rd. 220 Sierra Dr.
Orlando, FL 32812 AND Miami, FL 33179
407-384-8838 305-653-8427
Q. How do I go about getting a new wheelchair?
A. The procedure usually goes as follows. You first need to get a prescription for a seating evaluation and new chair from your doctor. You will then need to go see a physical therapist and a sales representative from a durable medical company who will measure you for the chair and help you pick out what options you want.
The therapist will write his/her evaluation and submit that to your insurance company along with your chair order*. Ideally your insurance will approve the order and you will have your chair in a few months. If your order is denied, you will need to appeal and argue your case for a new chair to your insurance company.
*Insurance companies and Medicaid/Medicare will usually only purchase a chair every 5 years.
FSCIRC Weekly Tips Archive
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Did you know that quadriplegics are exempt from property taxes in the state of Florida? To learn more, click here.
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Have you ever been to a hotel and not been able to transfer on or off the bed because it was too high? Well next time, ask the hotel staff to remove the boxspring which will lower the bed and create a much easier transfer.
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Are you a quadriplegic and tired of the difficulty in handling change at a toll booth? Well if your a quadriplegic with impaired hand function, then you are eligible to receive a toll-permit. For more information click here.
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Have you ever had to push your chair with a flat tire? Are you sick of constantly having to put air in your tires to get a decent roll? Well there is a tire made that is solid rubber and requires no air. It's called a KIK tire and can be ordered from anyplace that sells wheelchairs and equipment. The push may not be as good with a KIK tire, but you will never need to worry about a flat or filling your tire again.
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Do you have difficulty cutting your meat? At restaurants, do you often stick to more "quad friendly" entrees to avoid this hassle? Well here's a suggestion. When you make your selection, ask your server if the chef can cut your meat. They are usually more than willing to, so go ahead and don't be afraid to order that piece of steak or chicken at a restaurant.
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Are you a quadriplegic without the ability to sweat? Well if your going to be in warm weather for an extended period of time, bring a spray bottle filled with water to cool you down.
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When purchasing a new vehicle, many of the major car manufacturers offer up to $1,000 to help cover the costs of modifying the vehicle. This funding is provided by the actual manufacturer and therefore it is not something that you have to negotiate with the salesman or dealership.
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When traveling by airplane, be sure to bring all essential medications and assistive devices as carry-on items, just in case your luggage is lost. Also, arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes early and see if you can have your seat moved closer to the front of the plane to avoid having to be carried too far towards the back of the plane in the aisle chair.
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