United Spinal Awarded $25,000 ‘Quality of Life’ Grant From Christopher Reeve Foundation
Jackson Heights, NY––United Spinal Association has been awarded a $25,000 ‘Quality of Life and Health Promotion’ grant from the Christopher Reeve Foundation (CRF) to help fund United Spinal’s Wheelchair Sports and Recreation program. The program provides ongoing opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in a wide variety of adaptive sports.
Health promotion grants, a special category of CRF’s Quality of Life grants, are funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA. The grants focus on removing societal and environmental barriers that limit the abilities of individuals living with paralysis.
“United Spinal’s Wheelchair Sports program is built around the belief that athletic competition is as beneficial for people with disabilities as it is for people without disabilities,” said Sports Director Bill Hannigan. “Aside from the obvious physical benefits, participating in sports can build confidence, self-esteem, and overall emotional health. We’re grateful that the Christopher Reeve Foundation has recognized the merits of our program and their generous grant will enable us to give more people with spinal cord injuries the opportunity to participate in our adaptive sports program.”
United Spinal’s program also offers clinics around the country to introduce children and adults with disabilities to adaptive sports such as wheelchair softball, tennis, basketball, rugby, sled hockey, and numerous other competitive events designed specifically for wheelchair users.
The CRF awarded a total of $717,404 in Quality of Life grants to 90 nonprofit organizations around the world. The Quality of Life program was launched in 1999 by the late Dana Reeve as a way to help improve the day-to-day health and well-being of those living with paralysis, 1,163 grants totaling $9,220,980 have been awarded to date. For more information visit www.ChristopherReeve.org.
About United Spinal Association
United Spinal Association is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization created in 1946 to provide expertise, create access to resources and strengthen hope, thereby enabling people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) to fulfill their potential as active members of their communities. Membership is free and open to all individuals with disabilities of the spinal cord. For more information please visit www.unitedspinal.org or call 800-404-2898.