Triumphing over spinal cord injury

Kevin and Tiffany Mather adjusted to a life-changing accident through Triumph Foundation

Kevin Mather loved to ride his bike. On July 3, 2009, the Valencia resident pedaled along Sierra Highway with a dozen buddies on a beautiful Southern California morning.

Moments later, Mather was lying on the asphalt, the white line that divided the bike lane from the road now at eye level. A car’s broken rear-view mirror lay shattered next to him. Mather was the victim of a hit and run, the driver turning himself in just an hour later. Continue Reading »

My mission to cure paralysis

“Charitable” isn’t the first word which usually springs to mind when you think of a Goldman Sachs banker.

But Carolina Gonzalez-Bunster, who left the investment bank at the height of the financial crisis, is now a rising star in the not-for-profit world. Her charity, the Walkabout Foundation, has won the backing of both former and fantasy Presidents (Bill Clinton and Martin Sheen) and she has walked hundreds of miles to fund its work – all while living off her savings.

Walkabout, which she founded with her elder brother Luis in August 2009, has two goals: to distribute wheelchairs in the developing world and to help find a cure for paralysis. Continue Reading »

Michael Feger Paralysis Foundation Inc.

Our mission is to raise awareness about spinal cord injury and disease through education. Provide assistance to people who have a spinal cord injury and disease. Help them move forward in a life of independence, health and personal fulfillment.

United Spinal Association and National Spinal Cord Injury Association Will Merge

United Spinal Association and National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA), two leading nonprofits with more than 125 years of combined service to the disability community, have recently announced their intended merger unifying resources to become the single, largest membership organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) nationwide.

The combined organization will significantly increase the membership base and will give all members access to a wide range of national programs and services, including an established community of local affiliates. Equally important will be the powerful, authentic consumer voice that the merger will provide at the national level. Continue Reading »

Darrell Gwynn Foundation Raises $490,000 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Darrell Gwynn Foundation auctioned two cars and made a wheelchair donation at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on Friday, January 21. Proceeds from the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction totaled $490,000 which will primarily benefit the foundation’s Wheelchair Donation Program, but also the foundation’s Education & Prevention Program, Paralyzed Assistance Fund and Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week initiative. The Darrell Gwynn Foundation’s mission is to provide AWARENESS, PREVENTION, SUPPORT and ultimately a CURE for Paralysis. Continue Reading »

A positive outlook: Special therapy helps man with spinal injury reclaim productive life

Practically from the time he could walk, Darren Templeton of Kinnelon enjoyed playing sports: football, basketball, baseball, soccer. As a student in Kinnelon High School, he was a member of the hockey and tennis teams, and he was an avid skier.

While vacationing with his family near Manahawkin in July 2004 … a month after graduating from high school … he dove from his family’s boat. The tide was rapidly changing, and water that Templeton thought was deep proved to be too shallow. He broke his neck, leaving him a quadriplegic.

Some people might be excused for succumbing to despair or depression. But Templeton’s main emotion was frustration. Following the accident, he went through weeks of physical therapy that was beneficial but unsatisfying. Continue Reading »

Paralyzed Man and His Wife Deliver Healthy Baby Courtesy of In Vitro Grant from The Cade Foundation

David and Jennifer Sharp of Chester, VA have given birth to a very special baby boy. Colin, born December 8th was conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) thanks to a financial grant awarded by The Cade Foundation in Baltimore, MD.

David and Jennifer Sharp of Chester, VA have given birth to a very special baby boy. Continue Reading »

Kelly Brush Foundation

The Kelly Brush Foundation is dedicated to Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Research, purchasing adaptive sports equipment for individuals with SCI, and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team Continue Reading »

Spinal injury inspires foundation

SAN ANGELO, Texas — Chris Canales knew before that night that his life would soon change. He just expected it to go in a different direction.

It was the final regular season game of his senior season at San Marcos Baptist Academy, and the all-conference defensive back and punter already had received three college scholarship offers. Continue Reading »

Quarter century of helping the newly disabled

Guy Coulombe keeps on going

EDMONTON – We’ve been handing out High Fives to various events and great folks.

This week, though, we’re going to give a High Five to someone who deserves to be celebrated: Guy Coulombe.

At 17, Coulombe saw his life change radically near his hometown of Donnelly.

“We were driving and hit some loose gravel,” says Coulombe, now 47. “We weren’t wearing seatbelts because seatbelts weren’t a big thing back then. So the truck went one way and I went the other.” Continue Reading »