Meet the “Chair”men of the Board…Hudson Reps Making a Difference for NSCIA CT

2/2/2014 12:00:00 AM

In 2010, Ray Gorneault and Joe Uccello discussed what they could do to be more involved in the community, especially with the people they worked closely with in their professional lives. Ray and Joe are Assistive Technology Professionals (ATP's) with Hudson Seating and Mobility, Ray joining them in 1995, and Joe in 1998. Both carried extensive backgrounds in the medical field, Ray having worked at the Newington Children's Hospital for many years, Joe as an Athletic Training student and licensed EMT. Their outgoing natures were the final component that led them to medical sales with Hudson Seating & Mobility, the largest family owned dealer of custom seating and mobility in New England. The two decided that joining the NSCIACT was a great way to try to give back to the people they work closely with, individuals with spinal cord injury.

Joining the board in 2010, things started out slowly, as they became accustomed to how the organization worked. They were elected to the board in October 2010. At that point, they joined the committee for the 2nd Annual Twilight Gala. The fundraising event was still in its infancy, but still a successful endeavor for the organization. After helping to organize the 2011 event, they decided they would both like to chair the event, leading the organizing efforts. Also, in 2011, they decided since they both see many of the new spinal cord patients through their work at Hospital for Special Care and Gaylord respectively, they took up positions as Co-Vice Presidents of Membership for the organization.

The 3rd Annual Twilight Gala was a tremendous success. They nearly tripled the money raised from the previous year. At a time when the organization was struggling to find its way, the effort from Joe and Ray saw the organization's financial status return to firm ground, and the membership grow almost 25% in their first year in their new positions. But they did not rest on the laurels of their success at the 2012 event.

The 4th Annual Twilight Gala was the most successful event ever put on by the organization, raising over $50,000 for the organization and its membership. 244 guests attended the March 9th event, headlined by Gold Sponsorship from Hudson Seating & Mobility and Advanced Wheels of Technology. Many guests enjoyed Paul Nitz as the guest speaker. The 4 time gold medal Paralympian gave a tremendous speech, and afterwards, was seen chatting with many guests as the night went on.

But Ray and Joe aren't done yet. They have still retained their positions as co-chairmen for the 5th Annual Twilight Gala being held on March 8th, 2014. And this year's event promises to be bigger than ever. This year's guest speaker is Eric LeGrand. Eric suffered a spinal cord injury in 2010 while playing football for Rutgers University. He is a spokesperson for ESPN and Subway. Ray and Joe feel that Eric's star power and notoriety can raise the Twilight Gala to the premier fundraising event in Connecticut. They have also taken on new roles within the organization. They no longer share the Vice President of Membership role. Ray now is the sole VP of that position, and Joe has taken on a new role as Vice President of Advocacy. Their roles at Hudson are ever evolving with recent changes to Medicare and Medicaid, and they felt they are in a position to pass this information along to the membership as it happens. With their aggressive spirit, they plan on raising the NSCIACT to new heights never seen before. 



 News from National  

Get the latest news, resources and information from our national affiliate, United Spinal Association.



  Our Mission

The Mission of the Connecticut Spinal Cord Injury Association (SCIACT), a chapter of United Spinal Association, is to support those with spinal related injuries or diseases and their families by being an advocate for their rights while serving as a resource to its members and the general public.

Learn More

 More stories in Chapter News

  Hurricane Helene Relief for Wheelchair Users Is on the Way

Go To Article...

  All-terrain wheelchairs coming to Connecticut state parks

Go To Article...

  Congratulations to Diana Pernigotti, our latest Philip B. Arnold Award recipient!

Read More...

  Lawmakers pass bill that will lower wheelchair repair times

Go To Article...

  Disability Rights and Justice Rally 4.18.2024

Go To Article...

  Wheelchair users protest long repair wait times in Hartford

Go To Article...

  Disabled Sailing Online Seminar: Wheels On The Docks

Read More...

  Connecticut Wheelchair Repair Task Force pushes for change

Go To Article...

  Participate in a Study Using a Physical Activity App

Go To Article...

  Registration Opens for Gaylord Adaptive Skiing Program

Read More...

  Daisy Award given to Karen Doukas, RN of Gaylord Hospital

Read More...

  Seated Strong Exercise Classes

Read More...

  YOUR VOICE COUNTS - Please take and share this important Survey!

Go To Article...

  These CT residents have muscular dystrophy, quadriplegia or other injuries....

Read More...

  WEBINAR: Sexuality and Sexual Function in SCI

Go To Article...

  WEBINAR: Men Living with Paralysis and Dating

Go To Article...

  Participate in Disability Travel Research, Chance to Win Prizes

Go To Article...

  Participants needed for the international SCI Exercise Counselling Survey

Read More...

  Get your free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 test kits to help stop the spread of COVID

Read More...

  Open House at New Horizons Village Dec 1

Read More...

  Medicare Open Enrollment 2021 - Oct 15 - Dec 7

Go To Article...

  CARP 2021 Rowing & Kayaking season is here!

Read More...

  SILC Seeks New Board Members

Go To Article...

  A Research Study on COVID-19 and Disabilities

Go To Article...

  We mourn the passing of Travis Roy (1975 to 2020): Hockey Player, Inspiration, Friend

Read More...

  State of CT launches ABLE CT program for individuals living with disabilities

Go To Article...

  The CT Cross Disability Lifespan Alliance

Go To Article...

  United Spinal offering 5 free COVID-19 masks

Go To Article...

  Upcoming Election Coverage

Read More...

  Online Event: Mindfulness and Resilience Tips for People with SCI

Go To Article...

  211 of CT: Info and Resources for Communities during Covid-19

Read More...

  Hand Hygiene for People with Spinal Cord Injuries

Read More...

  Exploring Timeliness of Cancer Diagnosis in Persons with Physical Disability

Go To Article...

  Seating and Mobility Services at Gaylord Specialty Care

Go To Article...

  16-year-old helps man in wheelchair get home before severe weather strikes

Read More...

  Exercise and Fitness after Spinal Cord Injury Video Wins Silver Telly Award

Read More...

  National Nurses Week May 6 - 12, 2019

Read More...

  Connecticut State Park Access for Persons with Disabilities

Go To Article...

  Take a Disability & Transportation Survey from Virginia Tech

Go To Article...

  Casting for Print Shoot For a New Razor...

Read More...

  Honoring our Veterans: Tim Fournier & Steve Emt

Read More...

  New Horizons Art Celebration Dec 2 featuring Blind Boys of Alabama

Go To Article...

  Roll a day in someone else’s chair - 6th Annual Walk-n-Roll

Go To Article...

  New Horizons Wellness Fair Oct 20 2018

Go To Article...

  Check out United Spinal's New Mobility Magazine

Go To Article...

  Our Resource Directory is Online!

Read More...

  Sports Academy senior organizes wheelchair rugby tournament

Go To Article...

  Danbury-area spinal injury support group forming

Go To Article...

  Yale Scientist Aiming To Reverse Spinal Cord Injuries

Go To Article...

  A SCIACT Success Story: Meet Nicole

Go To Article...

  First paralyzed human treated with stem cells has now regained his upper body movement

Go To Article...

  Annual Meeting Recap: Standing Wheelchairs!

Read More...

  Pictures from the 2016 Twilight Gala

Read More...

  Hollister offers free catheters to United Spinal & its affiliates

Read More...

  We've Changed our Name!

Read More...

  United Spinal's Roll on Capitol Hill

Go To Article...

  Man walks again after years of paralysis

Go To Article...

  Gaylord Hosts Meeting with National Spinal Cord Injury Organizations

Read More...

  180 Medical Scholarship Program open to those with SCI

Go To Article...

  Looking for an Accessible Vacation Spot?

Read More...

  Check Out Chapter 126

Go To Article...

  Powerful Tools for Caregivers receives proclamation from Danbury Mayor

Read More...

  Free lifetime pass for National Parks for disabled U.S. citizens

Go To Article...

  Take this Adaptive Sports Survey!

Go To Article...

  Seniors initially denied motorized wheelchairs receive them

Read More...

  Got SCI Questions? We've Got Answers!

Go To Article...

  East Granby Company Knows An Inspirational Story When It Sees One

Go To Article...

  CT Chapter teams up with Powerful Tools for Caregivers

Read More...

  The Annual Wheeling and Able Golf Classic has another successful year!

Read More...

  Research Study: Are you living with a long-term incomplete Spinal Cord Injury?

Read More...

  Upper Limb Robotic Training Study in Spinal Cord Injury

Go To Article...

  Quadriplegic Participants Needed For Research Study

Read More...

  Connecticut Loses a Great Advocate

Read More...



  Donate

Donating to the NSCIA CT Chapter has never been easier or more secure! Please click this button to donate the amount of your choice using the payment method of your choice.