Organization Helps Quadriplegics And Paraplegics Recover From Paralyzing Injuries
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Each year 11,000 spinal cord injuries occur in the United States alone. These injuries happen in an instant to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Many of our clients were given less than a 10% chance of ever walking again and a majority of them were told they had zero hope for recovery.
It all began with one man’s determination to regain his life and independence even though everything seemed to be fighting against him. In 1998, Mike Thomas was in Cuba vacationing when a tragic car accident left him a C-7 spinal cord injury (SCI), leaving him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Mike was told that he had a 3% chance of walking again. Like many individuals with spinal cord injuries, Mike did not accept that prognosis, but was limited by traditional physical therapy.
Mike was discharged from his traditional rehabilitation facility having “completed his therapy”. Unwilling to accept his prognosis of living in a wheelchair, Mike wanted more and sought out an alternative form of recovery. In 1999, Mike was referred to a small sports training center owned by Ted and Tammy Dardzinski that specialized in functional and postural training. With their specialized training, Mike began taking steps and The Dardzinski Method® was developed. Co-founder Eric Harness joined Ted and Tammy and together Project Walk was born.
Almost 13 years later, Mike continues to take steps and walk independently. Project Walk has treated thousands of clients from 46 states and 19 countries. Our Certified Specialists have logged over 250,000 hours working to reactivate the central nervous system at our headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. We have published research that has shown that 71% of clients may increase function below the level of injury. The heart of Project Walk is to globally improve the quality of life for individuals with SCI.
In 2006 the Certified Facility program emerged. This program is designed to train healthcare professionals from around the world in The Dardzinski Method®. This program gives clients the opportunity to partake in our recovery program closer to their home not only in the U.S., but in locations such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, and Spain.
Unfortunately, insurance does not cover alternative therapy programs. A majority of our clients are forced to end their recovery program prematurely due to the lack of financial support to continue. It is estimated that the lifetime costs for basic medical needs of a SCI is somewhere between $500,000 to more than $3 million depending on the severity of the injury.
In order to continue to raise awareness and change the perception about SCI, Project Walk is hosting our 8th annual Steps to Recovery event on October, 27, 2012 at our headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. Tim Yates, Project Walk CEO, says, “This event celebrates our client’s amazing progress, dedication, and hope. We invite the entire community to come see what amazing things our staff and clients are doing by cheering them on as they walk across our center.” All donations raised from this event will assist in our clients continued progress down their road to recovery.
“Project Walk means a CHANCE to start over for me—a chance to PROVE TO MYSELF, my family, and the doctors that told me otherwise—that NOTHING is impossible!’
More About This Charity
Region
West
Category
Health and Well Being
Name
Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery
Mission
Project Walk exists to provide an improved quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries through intense exercise-based recovery programs, education, support and encouragement.
Impact
- Treated Thousands of Clients From 46 States and 19 Countries
- Certified Specialists Logged over 250,000 Hours Working to Reactivate the Central Nervous System at Headquarters Facility
- Hosting 8th Annual Steps to Recovery event this Year to Raise Awareness and Change the Perception about Spinal Cord Injury
Works In
United States
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