The cost of living with paralysis is astronomical. In the first year alone, paralysis costs between $508,000 and $1.04 million dollars. In each subsequent year, cost of living is between $67K and $181K, depending on the level of injury sustained. Often just meeting the essential needs for every-day living is out of reach for Arizona families, and the pursuit of hobbies, travel, work and school demands even more support.
Despite tremendous challenges and cost, non-profit organizations like Will2Walk Foundation and its partners work to help those with spinal cord injuries (SCI) pursue quality of life. “People with SCI have the right to return to work and pursue education, and they deserve the opportunity to stay active and become fit,” says Rich Hamill, President and Founder of Will2Walk Foundation.
“Thanks to the opportunities I’ve been afforded, I have lived well as a quadriplegic for nearly 25 years. But rehabilitation is shorter and costlier today, and the newly injured have to work harder to get the support I got in 1992,” Hamill offers. “Will2Walk Foundation exists to help those in Arizona and across the nation stay active, fit and independent.”
Throughout September, communities across the country will recognize the tremendous challenges facing those with spinal cord injury, celebrate the progress made in research, reward individuals with SCI doing amazing things, and connect with one another with a true sense of unity to live as well as possible with paralysis.
Will2Walk and its partners have planned several ways to recognize SCI Awareness Month:
I Roll, You Walk…Together We Live Awareness Event
The entire Arizona community is invited to I Roll, You Walk…Together We Live, an awareness event on September 26, 2015 at the Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities (SpoFit).
When: Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 9:00am-1:00pm
Where: 5031 East Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034
What: Meet the local non-profit organizations that serve the SCI community, see demonstrations from rugby and basketball teams, take an opportunity to test your skills at navigating obstacles in a wheelchair, enjoy contests and fun for the kids, and try out the food truck onsite for lunch purchase.
Will2Walk Foundation Triple Your Donation Campaign
Donations made to Will2Walk in September will have a dollar-for-dollar match by a Will2Walk Board Member, and then another dollar-for-dollar match through a corporate matching program. This means your donation will have three times the impact it normally would.
“Our goal for this campaign is to raise $1,000, which will actually end up being $3,000. Through our Scholarship & Sponsorship Program, this amount will allow us to help pay for physical therapy, equipment, assistance with training, or partial home-care service for someone living with an SCI,” emphasized Hamill.
To donate, visit will2walk.org.
About Will2Walk
Will2Walk is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to keep people with spinal cord injury active, fit and independent. Educational programs, life-skill mentorships, public awareness programs and community outreach services are the primary elements of the Will2Walk mission.
