> Penn State University needs Volunteers for a Research Study

Penn State is conducting a research study on relations between eating habits, obesity, and bowel habits among children with spina bifida. Children with spina bifida aged 3-18 years and their parents are eligible to participate. The study involves having parents or caregivers complete a questionnaire that will take no more than 15 minutes. They are not gathering any identifying information, such as names or addresses. All participation is completely voluntary. This research is being conducted by Keith Williams, Ph.D., Feeding Program, Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Kimberly Schreck, Ph.D., Psychology Program, Penn State Harrisburg.

You can get a copy of the questionnaire via email, fax, or mail. You can contact them by email at feedingprogram@hmc.psu.edu or by calling (717) 531-7117.

Note: In an effort to aid Dr. Williams in his research, the sbaMass has provided a copy of the Summary Explanation and the Questionare for downloading. Both documents are in PDF format.

This research has been approved by the Institutional Review Board, under Federal regulations, at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the Penn State College of Medicine, and the Penn State University. This research has also been reviewed and approved by the Spina Bifida Association of America.

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> Do Something Invites Young People to Apply for Community Project Grants

Each fall and each spring, Do Something gives grants of $500 each to ten young people who submit creative proposals for solving local problems.

Members of Do Something's Youth Advisory Council evaluate the proposals and award grants to the most deserving projects in three areas: community building, health, and the environment.

An applicant must be 25 years old or younger on May 1, 2006 to receive a 2006 Do Something grant. Applicant must have a mentor to apply for a grant. A mentor can be a friend, relative, teacher, coach, or anyone 18 years old or older who is willing to help the applicant with their project. Applicants may apply for grant either individually, or on behalf of a group or team.

Visit the Do Something Web site for complete program information and application procedures.

If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity and need assistance contact edugan@sbaMass.org.

> Health Guide for Adults Living with Spina Bifida

The Health Guide for Adults Living with Spina Bifida provides useful health information and resources to help you manage your health, prevent complications of spina bifida, and maximize your well being.

A PDF copy of the manual is available here.

> Action Alert - Our Advocacy Efforts Have Paid Off!

Congress provided the National Spina Bifida Program (NSBP) with a total allocation of $5.049 million. That's a $1.392 million increase over last year's allocation!

Read more here.

> Applications Are Now Being Accepted to Join the sbaMass Youth and Adults Group Planning Committee

The sbaMass YA Planning Committee needs your help! With the recent growth in sbaMass YA membership and participation, the sbaMass YA Planning Committee is looking for volunteers to assist with activities including coordinating events, transportation, flyer preparation and moderating its online Yahoo!Group. Planning Committee meetings are held bi-monthly at the Burlington Mall in the Food Court. If you are interested in participating (you do not have to have spina bifida to volunteer your time), please email a paragraph or two about yourself and why you would like to volunteer to Jen Kuhar at jkuhar@sbaMass.org, or via mail to the sbaMass at:

Spina Bifida Association of Massachusetts
sbaMass YA Planning Committee
733 Turnpike Street, #282
North Andover, MA 01845

> Learn about the sbaMass Parents Group Clothing and Equipment Program

The group has begun implementing a clothing and equipment sharing program. Read more here.