On Saturday, June 29, 2024, the Spinal Cord Injury Association of CT honored Diana Pernigotti as the latest recipient of the esteemed Philip B. Arnold Award.
Diana Pernigotti has served the spinal cord injury community for over 15 years. Through her work and volunteer services, she has connected people with resources, education, and opportunities with the main goal of assisting in improving the quality of life for persons with a spinal cord injury.
The trajectory of her work has brought things full circle in that she has harnessed the skills she honed managing multiple bookstores before 2009 to managing multiple SCI-related projects. Diana has been involved in the design of the programs, from securing funding to coordinating the work and providing employment opportunities that are unique to people with an SCI. Working at a local rehabilitation hospital that was part of the SCI Model Systems, Diana was responsible for managing the recruitment and implementation of multiple research projects throughout Connecticut and the New England area.
Now, Diana is working with the Center for Health Assessment Research and Translation at the University of Delaware. This has allowed her to maintain local connections and further support the mission of the SCI Association of Connecticut while working on international projects that will benefit the people of Connecticut.
Diana has been with the SCI Association of Connecticut since 2009 serving as an Executive Board Member and has provided the Chapter and its members unique links between research and education opportunities, mentorship, and support to improve access to SCI-related needs while helping to empower people to do so on their own and for others in the future Mostly though, she provides compassion and friendship to people who have been affected by SCI.
The Philip B. Arnold Award is the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Connecticut's highest honor and is awarded to those who have provided exemplary and unprecedented services to those with Spinal Cord Injuries or Disease, their Friends and Families. Please join us in our congratulations and appreciation of Diana Pernigotti!