The Kelly Brush Foundation is dedicated to making active lifestyles a reality for those who have experienced a spinal cord injury. They offer the inspiration to believe and the grants to enable anyone to buy the equipment they need to get out and go. But the Kelly Brush Foundation funds more than just recreation because when you’re out there on the hill, road, or trail, as your heart rate rises and you feel the wind on your face, disability fades away. An active lifestyle forges connections with others — both new friends and old, in and out of a chair.
The Kelly Brush Foundation has three main grant programs for the community: Path2Active, The Active Fund, and the Active Project. Matt Tilford, the Community Engagement Manager for the Kelly Brush Foundation, presented to the United Spinal Association Northeast Ohio Chapter about the Kelly Brush Foundation and a great overview of what each program details. If you are interested in hearing that presentation, you can find it at https://youtu.be/kuck6JGyYAE
Path2Active
The Kelly Brush Foundation helps people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) get out, be active, and find independence and fulfillment in life post-injury. After an SCI, the barriers to getting active are real – physical, financial, and logistical. The Kelly Brush Foundation’s Path2Active breaks down those barriers by providing financial support to organizations seeking to offer new programs and individuals seeking to get active through adaptive sports programs. Whether you are an organization looking to develop a new camp, experience, or program, or an individual in need of financial support to try a new activity, attend an event, or test a piece of equipment, Path2Active is for you.
The Active Fund
Through the Active Fund, the Kelly Brush Foundation provides grants for individuals with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury to purchase adaptive sports equipment. They believe in the power of sport and recreation to foster inclusion and overcome the barriers of paralysis. They have helped over 1,600 people from 50 states purchase handcycles, monoskis, sport chairs, racing chairs, hockey sleds, and much more.
The Active Project
The Active Project is a brand-new program that is a warehouse of adaptive sports resources. Through the Active Project, you can learn about dozens of adaptive sports that are offered across the United States, including what equipment is involved and the skills needed to participate. You can also discover and connect with organizations that offer adaptive sports as well as users participating in competitive or recreational sports. So far, there are around 2500 users and around 350 sporting organizations on the platform/website.
You can find out more about all three of these programs by visiting www.kellybrushfoundation.org. If you know of organizations that offer adaptive sports in your area, email Matt Tilford at matt@kellybrushfoundation.org. They would love to get them added to the map.
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Let’s keep those happy thoughts, productivity, and self-care going! Until next time, live honestly, passionately, and with kindness! Take care!
