United Spinal Navigators Receive $20,000 from Kessler
United Spinal Association’s wheelchair sports team, the United Spinal Navigators, have announced a $20,000 grant from the Henry H. Kessler Foundation. The Navigators compete in swimming, track, field, and table tennis events with the goal of provide athletes with disabilities the opportunity to train, participate, and excel in sports for regional and national competitions. The Navigators hope to build a foundation that will enable these athletes to qualify and compete in the Paralympic Games.
The Henry H. Kessler Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to perpetuating the vision and preserving the legacy of Dr. Henry H. Kessler, a renowned pioneer in the development and practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation. In 2005, the Foundation provided over $7.5 million in funding to support research, employment and other services for people with disabilities.
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“On behalf of United Spinal Association and the North Jersey Navigators we would like to extend a very warm thank you to you and the Henry H. Kessler Foundation for their great generosity in sponsoring our team once again,” said Jimmy Cuevas, United Spinal Navigators coach. He added, “The Navigators organization has several projects to support financially, one of them being the annual participation in the Junior National Wheelchair Championship games. Thanks to the strong support this year, the Navigators will be able to attend the 2006 Junior National Disability Championship Games in Tampa, Florida, July 22–29.” The team will also be competing in the 2nd Annual United Spinal Navigators Wheelchair Games in mid-September, 2006.
“This is the most motivated group of athletes I’ve ever had the honor to work with and I am certain we will be seeing many of these young men and women at the international Paralympic Games in the coming years,” said Victor Calise, Director of Sports Marketing for United Spinal Association and a Paralympian himself.
Since 1998, the Kessler Foundation has provided $34 million to Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Corporation (KMRREC), whose research focuses on improving health and promoting wellness for people with spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and other neurological and orthopedic conditions, and by supporting the efforts of others who serve people with disabilities.
United Spinal Association sponsors a wide variety of wheelchair recreational and adaptive sports programs, guided by the belief that the benefits gained by participating in sports are no different for athletes with disabilities than for able-bodied athletes. Membership in this national organization is free and open to all individuals with spinal cord injuries or diseases.