Please consider posting the following announcement about a new
scholarship for students with limb loss. I am also attaching a photo if
you want to include it.
Thanks,
Rick
Amputee Coalition of America Announces
Christina Skoski, M.D., Scholarship Fund
The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) announces the establishment of
the Christina Skoski, M.D., Scholarship Fund. This year, the fund will
award a $1,000 scholarship to a student with limb loss who has a special
desire to learn, exhibits potential for success, and plans to attend a
four-year college. The scholarship amount may be increased in the
future.
The scholarship fund was initially endowed with $25,000 from Christina
Skoski, M.D., and the ACA hopes to see it grow in the future through
matching gifts. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made to the
Christina Skoski, M.D., Scholarship Fund.
“I’ve had a wonderful career, which afforded me a fulfilling, successful
and interesting life,” says Dr. Skoski. “I hope this scholarship will
encourage young amputees to set high goals and pursue their dreams,
whatever their interests.”
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be amputees and have a
minimum high school grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 and a minimum ACT
score of 30 or SAT score of 1340. They must also submit a letter of
recommendation from a high-school adviser. Additionally, the student or
his or her parent or legal guardian must be a current member of the ACA.
All majors are welcome.
Applications are accepted only by online submission at
https://www.amputee-coalition.org/scholarship. The application deadline
for fall 2009 consideration is March 1, 2009. The scholarship recipient
will be announced no later than May 31, 2009, and will also be announced
at the ACA National Conference in June.
Dr. Skoski’s generous donation reflects her strong conviction that limb
loss should not be a barrier to academic or professional success. As a
sophomore in high school, Dr. Skoski became a hemipelvectomy amputee as
a result of sarcoma. Ten years later, she received her medical degree
and practiced as an anesthesiologist for 30 years. Today, Dr. Skoski, a
longtime member of the ACA and its Medical Advisory Committee, is a
staunch advocate of higher education as a way for amputees to gain
greater self-sufficiency, overcome life’s obstacles, and advance causes
for people living with limb loss.
“I believe that higher education is the key to security and independence
in the real world, particularly for a young person with limb loss,” says
Dr. Skoski.
“We are thrilled to announce our first endowed scholarship fund at the
ACA,” says Kendra Calhoun, ACA president and CEO. “Endowed scholarships
span the generations, enabling students to earn degrees and move on to
productive careers. For many of these students, these accomplishments
would not be possible without scholarship support provided by generous
thought-leaders like Dr. Skoski.”
About the Amputee Coalition of America
The Amputee Coalition, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a national
nonprofit organization that empowers people who have experienced
amputation or are born with limb differences through education, support
and advocacy. For information on becoming an ACA member or making a
donation, please visit the ACA Web site at www.amputee-coalition.org or
call 888/267-5669.
Rick Bowers
Editor and Communications Coordinator
Amputee Coalition of America
900 E. Hill Avenue, Suite 205
Knoxville, TN 37915-2566
1-888/267-5669, x8108
865/524-0591, x8108
Register now for the 2009 ACA Annual Conference, which will be held June
18-21 in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information, please visit
www.amputee-coalition.org/conference