C.O. nonprofit gets grant from Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Destination Rehab is honored to announce that it has received a $6,520 Quality of Life grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The Quality of Life program awards grants to fellow nonprofits that mirror the Reeve Foundation’s mission and commitment to foster community engagement, enhance independence and promote healthy self-esteem.

Destination Rehab will use the grant for a 5-day Adventure Rehab Camp promoting confidence and quality of life for adults ages 18+ with paralysis. This camp will be facilitated by physical therapists, held in the summer of 2018 and located in Bend. It is open to individuals from throughout Central Oregon, and participants are invited to bring a family member or friend to experience the camp alongside them. Grant funding helps offset costs so Destination Rehab can offer this opportunity at a lower cost to those with financial challenges.

Destination Rehab founder Dr. Carol-Ann Nelson said, “This is an incredible opportunity for people to have a supportive environment to try out all the amazing activities we have here in Central Oregon. My hope is that each person who comes to this adventure camp will be amazed at what they are able to accomplish, and will leave with a sense of renewed confidence and passion for life.”

When asked about the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Carol-Ann said, “I am blown away by their commitment to fund innovation and promote quality of life. It is truly an honor to be part of their community.”

“We are continually looking for new ways for individuals living with paralysis to reintegrate themselves into the community through our grant recipient programs,” said Maggie Goldberg, VP of Policy and Programs. “Whether it is a small grant for a ramp to access a public building, or a larger award to support an accessible playground or create a transportation service, each project brings us closer to our ultimate goal of full inclusion and independence.”

Destination Rehab was founded as a Bend nonprofit in the Spring of 2016 to address issues of isolation, sedentary lifestyle, and lack of community reintegration for people with chronic conditions. Their mission is to utilize Physical Therapy to promote community participation, confidence and independence for adults with physical disabilities and neurologic conditions.

They offer adventure based group outings and one-on-one physical therapy sessions, and include the participants’ family members and friends in the process of education and rediscovery. The population they serve includes individuals with stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, Parkinson’s Disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and more. Participants with Destination Rehab learn critical skills, gain confidence, and discover new ways to participate in the community, leading to increased confidence and quality of life. [For more information visit www.DestinationRehab.org]

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life for individuals living with paralysis, announced it has awarded $809,291 to 90 nonprofits nationwide during the first grant cycle of 2017. The Quality of Life program conceived by the late Dana Reeve has awarded over $22 million in grants to 2,956 programs since its inception in 1999. Funding for the grants is made available through the Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) operated by the Reeve Foundation under a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.