Help wheelchair-users see through the fog so they can focus on the clarity of living life to its fullest.
A group of individuals came together with a good idea to not only help others, but raise awareness for our cause – for spinal cord injury survivors.
50 marathons… 50 states… 50 weeks
By competing in actual sanctioned marathons, these wheelchair athletes take the opportunity before each event to reach out to the local hospital or rehab center in that area about spinal cord injury survivors, research and treatment. There are 1.3 million people living with spinal cord injuries, more than 5 times the number of Americans previously estimated in 2007.
The marathon moments allow the racers to express gratitude to therapists since they know personally how much spinal cord injury victims appreciate their help and encouragement. Those visits to hospitals and rehab centers also give the athletes a chance to visit with patients. These athletes know what it was like to hear the words “you will spend the remainder of your life in a wheelchair.” They know how devastating that can sound. Yet they also know life goes on.
Countless spinal cord injury victims know that because of the great strides that have been made over decades of research and treatment. People are living healthier, vibrant lives; and many are walking again, thanks to the work of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
Think about Superman. He was stronger than a locomotive, faster than a speeding bullet and he leaped tall buildings in a single bound. However, the actor who portrayed Superman in the movies became a statistic in 1995 when a horse accident left Christopher Reeve with a spinal cord injury, with insurmountable complications, and with a fatal outcome.
Christopher Reeve
You can help change outcomes for others with spinal cord injuries by participating in and/or supporting this challenge of completing 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 weeks.
You can make a donation to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. It is committed to finding treatments and cures for spinal cord injuries. To achieve this goal, the Foundation funds some of the most brilliant minds in neuroscience – researchers who are poised to deliver the answers that will change the lives of spinal cord injured people worldwide. (If donating by check, please write “50 Ability Marathons” in the memo line.)
Stories about how the lives of three of these wheelchair athletes – Paul, Grant and Aaron – are featured on this website. Let them inspire you as you inspire others with your donation to the Foundation… or check out the Sponsors link in the toolbar at the top of this page to see how you can financially support the racers as well.
They are racing for others who will follow in their tire tracks to lead positive lives despite negative circumstances that changed their lives forever.