Falling Forward Foundation

Merry Christmas from Falling Forward! ❄️ Thank you for following along on our 12 Days of Ability. We wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season! 💙

Day 12 of Ability: Every 12 months, millions of lives are forever changed by catastrophic injuries: 🧠💥 2.5 million traumatic brain injuries 🧠🩸 795,000 strokes 🩻 17,900 spinal cord injuries These numbers are staggering, but behind each one is a person: a father, a daughter, a best friend, who is facing the impossible. It could happen to anyone, at any time. That’s why your donation matters. Every dollar you give provides crucial rehab when insurance won’t, turning heartbreak into hope. Please consider donating to help someone regain independence and rebuild their lives: https://lnkd.in/e46dAFan

🎵 On the 11th Day of Ability, Falling Forward gave to me: 11 years of recovery! 🎵 In 2011, a serious fall in Italy changed Sam’s life forever. While his SCI recovery was supported by unlimited rehab visits, he saw others face a very different reality. Their dreams were shattered. They lost progress when insurance stopped paying for rehab. The injustice was undeniable. Determined to create change, Sam founded Falling Forward Foundation in 2013. His mission was clear: to make sure no one has to stop healing because they can’t afford the rehab they need. 11 years later, thanks to our donors, board members, and rehab partners, over 200 lives have been transformed! That’s 200 people who’ve regained independence and hope! 👏 This journey started with one man’s fall, but together, we’re building a future where everyone gets the chance to rise. 💙

Day 10 of Ability: 10 kids got their dad back when Jason's rehab continued. While his wife was pregnant with their 10th child, Jason suffered a near-fatal brain injury in a bicycle accident in 2014. Just as Jason was making progress toward his rehab goals, he hit the limit of visits covered by his insurance. Thanks to donors like you, his recovery didn’t stop there. Your generosity empowered Jason to continue therapy at Ability KC, where he regained vital skills and reached his goals. 10 years later, Jason works, provides for his family, and is living proof of the life-changing impact of rehabilitation! This giving season, you can help more families like Jason’s. Together, we can ensure recovery doesn’t end when insurance does. 💙 https://lnkd.in/e46dAFan

🎵 On the 9th Day of Ability, Falling Forward gave to me: The reason for funding ability! 🎵 Virtually all (99%) medical insurance policies limit medical rehabilitation. On average, insurance companies only cover 20-30 rehab visits. To regain independence after a major medical event, people can require up to HUNDREDS of rehab sessions. Covering treatment costs on your own can be financially overwhelming, leaving most people to deal with the challenges of living with a *preventable* disability. That's why Falling Forward is here. We help people access outpatient rehabilitation (physical, occupational, and speech therapy) after their insurance stops paying. Our donors fund grants for four top rehab centers in the U.S.: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Craig Hospital, Ability KC, and LMH Health. #StandForAbility #Rehabilitation

For the 8th Day of Ability, here are Mari's reasons to never give up after she survived a hit-and-run accident: 🫶 To see Taylor Swift in concert (and she did!) 🚶To walk again 📚 To return to school 🏐 To play volleyball again 🛀 To bathe independently 🍳 To cook her own meals 👗 To "rock a dress at homecoming" 💪 To become a better version of herself What’s your reason to never give up? Share in the comments to help us inspire others! #GiveTheGiftOfAbility #Motivational

🎵 On the 7th Day of Ability, Falling Forward gave to me: A voice for Jackson and his space-bound dreams! 🎵 Jackson recently turned 7- a milestone that Jackson's mom said: "Feels like an incredible blessing, especially considering his early start at just 3 pounds, 3 ounces." You don't immediately see his disability when looking at his cute photos. As a toddler, he had speech delays and needed extensive speech therapy. After 2 years with Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's incredible staff, Jackson is ABLE to talk! 🗣 🚀Jackson has grown into a lively, curious boy who’s always ready for new adventures. In one of the photos below, Jackson proudly is holding a spaceship. He dreams of becoming an astronaut! 👨🚀 Just think- would his dream of space happen if he was still struggling with speech? Would he have the confidence for adventure? Thanks to you, Falling Forward is, as Jackson's mother put it, "creating a powerful legacy of healing and hope for countless families" like Jackson's. 💙 #StandForAbility #SpeechTherapy

💪 6th Day of Ability: About 65% of individuals with disabilities may never work again, largely due to limited rehabilitation after catastrophic injuries. Take Shawn, for instance. Last year, a major stroke turned his life upside down. Once a healthy 35-year-old father, he suddenly faced paralysis on his left side and the grim prognosis from doctors that he might never walk or return to work. Becoming unable to be the breadwinner for his family weighed heavily on him. When his insurance coverage ended, Shawn made progress in physical and occupational therapy but had significant cognitive challenges. Fortunately, Falling Forward stepped in, funding his continued speech therapy. After a year of dedicated rehabilitation, he triumphantly returned to work! 💼 Shawn is living proof that with enough rehab, it's possible to work again! #StandForAbility #StrokeSurvivor

🎵 On the 5th Day of Ability, Falling Forward gave to me: Five golden rings of transparency! 🎵 At Falling Forward Foundation, we’re committed to transparency and impact. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a GOLD seal from GuideStar, we proudly ensure that 100% of every dollar you give goes directly to providing life-changing rehab care. Your generosity helps people rebuild their lives after devastating injuries, giving them hope and a path forward. #12DaysOfAbility #FallingForward

4th Day of Ability: On the 4th of July, 2020, Meredith was celebrating with her friends in her above-ground pool when she woke up face down in the water, unable to move. Though she doesn’t remember the incident, it left her paralyzed from the chest down. Donor support enabled her to continue rehabilitation at Craig Hospital when insurance stopped paying. She now stands, drives, and lives independently! 🙌 #12DaysOfAbility #SCI