BACKBONES BACKBONES exists to help people with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) and their families connect with their communities.

02/18/2026

In this series, Jon Haven shares the many ways love surrounds him.

In the first photo, Jon and his wife stand close together outdoors, wrapped in each other’s arms. Their bodies lean inward naturally, faces relaxed and smiling. It’s a quiet, steady kind of love — the kind built on partnership, trust, and choosing one another through every season.

In the second image, Jon smiles brightly at the camera while holding a baby dressed in little overalls. The baby looks up at him with curiosity and connection. It’s a tender, joy-filled moment — a reminder of how we love the little humans in our lives with a fierceness and softness all at once, and how those small arms can hold our whole hearts.

The third and fourth photos show Jon surrounded by extended family — his family and his in-laws. They gather close together, smiling, shoulders touching, generations woven side by side. It’s love that stretches wide — beyond one household, beyond one moment — rooted in belonging, tradition, and shared history.

Love can look like partnership.
Love can look like holding the smallest hands.
Love can look like family that grows and grows.

✨ Backbone’s Love Week ✨
What does love look like for you? From February 14–21, we’re celebrating the many ways love shows up in our lives. We love our community and the connection we share with one another — this week and always. Share your photos and tag us to be featured.

02/17/2026

In this series, Lori shares the many faces of love in her life.

The first photo shows Lori with her kids and family, gathered around her. There are overlapping shoulders, big smiles, and the unmistakable closeness of people who share years of memories. They are her heart — the people she lives for.

The next image are her pets — loyal companions looking up at her with devoted eyes. Their presence is steady and constant, the kind of love that shows up every single day without question.

Another photo, Lori is pictured with her caregivers. They stand close together, smiling with the ease that comes from trust and teamwork. They are more than support — they are chosen family. Their partnership allows Lori to live independently and fully, and you can feel the mutual respect between them.

In the final image, Lori is with her friends who have stood by her. They lean into each other comfortably, smiling with the warmth of long-term loyalty. This is love that looks like showing up, staying present, and staying alongside someone no matter what.

Love isn’t just one moment.
It’s community.
It’s care.
It’s family — chosen and biological.
It’s the people (and pets) who surround us every day.

✨ Backbone’s Love Week ✨
What does love look like for you? From February 14–21, we’re celebrating the many ways love shows up in our lives. We love our community and the connection we share with one another — this week and always. Share your photos and tag us to be featured.

Monica sits in her wheelchair on the beach, sand stretching around her with soft patches of grass nearby. Her fiancé sta...
02/16/2026

Monica sits in her wheelchair on the beach, sand stretching around her with soft patches of grass nearby. Her fiancé stands close beside her, and they both face the camera. She leans into him, wrapping her arms around his, holding him with quiet certainty. Their smiles are warm and steady, full of excitement for what’s ahead. With their wedding just two months away, this moment captures love that feels grounded, joyful, and ready for the future they’re building together.

✨ Backbone’s Love Week ✨
What does love look like for you? From February 14–21, we’re celebrating the many ways love shows up in our lives. We love our community and the connection we share with one another — this week and always.

Stephanie is cuddled close with her dog, whose entire body seems determined to smother her with affection. The dog’s fac...
02/15/2026

Stephanie is cuddled close with her dog, whose entire body seems determined to smother her with affection. The dog’s face presses into hers radiating pure devotion. Stephanie scrunches up her face in delighted surrender, half laughing, half bracing for another enthusiastic kiss. It’s playful, messy, unconditional love — the kind that doesn’t ask permission, it just pours over you.

✨ Backbone’s Love Week ✨
What does love look like for you? From February 14–21, we’re celebrating the many ways love shows up in our lives. We love our community and the connection we share with one another — this week and always.

Analiese sits in her wheelchair, angled slightly toward her partner. He bends down toward her, one hand gently resting n...
02/14/2026

Analiese sits in her wheelchair, angled slightly toward her partner. He bends down toward her, one hand gently resting near her shoulder as their faces hover just inches apart, about to kiss. There’s a softness in the moment — the kind that feels quiet and electric at the same time. Her eyes are lifted toward him. It’s a snapshot of intimacy, of choosing each other, of love that meets you exactly where you are.

✨ Backbone’s Love Week ✨
What does love look like for you? From February 14–21, we’re celebrating the many ways love shows up in our lives. We love our community and the connection we share with one another — this week and always.

💜 Sexuality & Disability 💜 MYTH: People with disabilities aren’t s*xual.REALITY: Disability does not erase identity, des...
02/12/2026

💜 Sexuality & Disability 💜

MYTH: People with disabilities aren’t s*xual.
REALITY: Disability does not erase identity, desire, or s*xuality.

People with disabilities experience connection, intimacy, relationships, and autonomy just like anyone else. Sexual health is part of overall health — the problem isn’t disability, it’s barriers.

Stigma. Limited or no s*x education. Providers avoiding the conversation. Lack of access to inclusive care. These gaps can affect safety, autonomy, and quality of life.

Everyone deserves accurate information, respect, consent, and choice about their own body and relationships. Sexual health conversations should always be inclusive — never assumed.

📚Source: Stapleton et al., Sexuality and Disability (2022), IntechOpen. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.104325

💙 Please join us in welcoming Stephanie Judge as one of this year’s participants in BACKBONES’s Leaders Program! 💙Stepha...
02/09/2026

💙 Please join us in welcoming Stephanie Judge as one of this year’s participants in BACKBONES’s Leaders Program! 💙

Stephanie has always been a caregiver. She was a Licensed Nursing Assistant then a Personal Care Attendant for companies such as Easter seals and Cerebral Palsy of Massachusetts with a specialty in Alzheimer's/dementia. Stephanie had a very early introduction into the world of disability because her grandmother, who was a primary caregiver of Stephanie, had cerebral palsy.

Stephanie was injured at the T3 level in a car accident involving a drunk driver. She is an advocate against drunk driving. After her injury, Stephanie rediscovered her love of art Through mixed media, painting, photography, and collage. Before her injury, Stephanie loved to forage in the woods, exploring nature and the outdoors. She still does this in her power chair when possible with her fiancè and two dogs.

Since April 28th, 2018 Stephanie has been rebuilding a life, while navigating the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of SCI and recovery.

"“We believe that everyone deserves full control over their comfort and health,” said Bernd Krebs, chief technology offi...
02/05/2026

"“We believe that everyone deserves full control over their comfort and health,” said Bernd Krebs, chief technology officer at Sunrise Medical. “Voice Activation on the CTRL+5 gives riders more autonomy in managing their posture and well-being, especially those who may have difficulty accessing their standard controls.”"

Read more !

Love is in the air!BACKBONES Love Week is coming up February 14th-21st. Love looks different for everyone, whether it’s ...
02/03/2026

Love is in the air!

BACKBONES Love Week is coming up February 14th-21st. Love looks different for everyone, whether it’s romantic, platonic, or parental we would love to see what love looks like for you.

Comment "love," and we will DM you more information on how to submit your photos!

💙 Please join us in welcoming Myron Wright as one of this year’s participants in BACKBONES’s Leaders Program! 💙After sus...
02/02/2026

💙 Please join us in welcoming Myron Wright as one of this year’s participants in BACKBONES’s Leaders Program! 💙

After sustaining a life-altering spinal cord injury during a high school football game in 2002, Myron has remained unwavering in his commitment to personal growth, education, and service. Using a power wheelchair operated by a head-control system, he navigates life’s challenges with resilience and determination. His motto, “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not give up,” perfectly reflects his inspiring spirit.

A native of Thibodaux, Louisiana, Myron graduated from Thibodaux High School in 2005 and went on to earn an Associate of General Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Nicholls State University, followed by an MBA from Southern University A&M of Baton Rouge in 2016. His professional background includes eight years as a Data Analyst at Thibodaux Regional Health System.

Committed to giving back, Myron founded the Myron Wright Foundation in 2007 to support community development, education, and medical initiatives. He is also the author of “Overcomer – The Life of Myron D. Wright,” which chronicles his journey of perseverance. Today, he serves as a full-time Business instructor at Fletcher Technical Community College and as an elected Board Member of the Lafourche Parish School Board. Myron is actively involved in disability advocacy across Louisiana through leadership and advisory roles with organizations such as the Louisiana Developmental Disability Council and the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council. In his free time, he enjoys the arts, sporting events, fashion, and- most importantly- time with family.

Funding Accessible Home Modifications"If you need help paying for accessible home modifications, grants are the first pl...
01/29/2026

Funding Accessible Home Modifications

"If you need help paying for accessible home modifications, grants are the first place to look because if you qualify, grants are free money — you don’t have to pay them off like you do a loan.

The most generous home modification grant program in the U.S. is reserved for veterans with service-connected disabilities. For service-disabled wheelchair users, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Specially Adapted Housing Grant will pay up to $121,812 (the amount changes every year) to buy, build or change your permanent home. You have to own or purchase your home to qualify for this grant.

For non-veterans, state Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies will sometimes pay for accessible home modifications if the modifications — like entrance ramps or lifts — help you access your job. For people older than 62 who have low incomes, the USDA offers a grant program that can be used to make your home more accessible if you meet the eligibility criteria."

Read more about how to fund home modifications !

💙 Please join us in welcoming Ben Iammartino as one of this year’s participants in BACKBONES’s Leaders Program! 💙Ben Iam...
01/26/2026

💙 Please join us in welcoming Ben Iammartino as one of this year’s participants in BACKBONES’s Leaders Program! 💙

Ben Iammartino is a passionate and resilient college student who prides himself on turning his negative experiences into positive stories. He is a mental health and disability advocate who uses his openness and vulnerability to spread positivity.

Ben is currently a psychology major with a family studies minor at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. He is a sophomore with a strong desire to be a medical social worker and a public/motivational speaker. He loves using his voice to educate students around campus and spark change around the world around him.

Outside of the college campus, he loves going to his CrossFit gym and cooking a variety of different foods. He loves the challenges that CrossFit brings throughout every workout and he loves the calmness that cooking brings him. His big goal outside of a professional goal is to write a book based on the lessons and positivity that his experiences have taught him.

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P. O. Box 7334
Prospect Heights, IL
60070

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