Boston, MA (December 27, 2011) –  The Travis Roy Foundation (TRF) is pleased to announce the awarding of $75,000 of adaptive equipment grants to 30 spinal cord injury survivors across the United States.  The TRF distributes grants on a quarterly basis to SCI survivors in financial need and to research facilities investigating a cure for paralysis.  It is the Foundation’s hope to not only find a cure, but also to assist each grant recipient to become as independent as possible.

This quarter, the 30 recipients were of different age and background: from Massachusetts, all the way down to Florida, across to Arizona, and back up again to Montana. Grants also ranged widely from $700 for an ECU to control electronics to $5,500 for bathroom modifications, while other funds were awarded for vehicle lifts and modifications, wheelchairs, computers , chair lifts, and home modifications—both inside and outside.

Recipients included:

Ernest, from Georgia –  Ernest was injured after he fell 70 feet last spring.  He is a father of three who is eager to become active again with his kids.  The TRF granted Ernest $850, towards modifications to his manual wheelchair so that he can access his daughters’ softball field and go scouting with his son.

Joe, from Connecticut–  Joe was in need of a new, lightweight wheelchair so that he can go back to school and work on his degree, while also hoping to gain back more independence.  Joe was granted $2,500 towards a wheelchair with “spinergy” wheels, allowing for more flexibility to get into classrooms and around campus.

Tyler, from Massachusetts –  Tyler broke his neck during a diving accident this past July.  The TRF awarded him a $3,100 grant towards home modifications for a roll in shower and a wheelchair accessible toilet and sink.

Christopher, from Illinois –   Christopher was injured in a car accident.  He currently travels 76 miles per day for work, using hand controls, in a 10-year-old van that needs to be replaced.  The TRF gave Christopher a $3,000 grant for vehicle modifications so that he may continue to travel safely to work.

Dale, from Indiana –  Dale broke his neck in a motorcycle accident last summer and wanted to help take some of the pressure off family members. Dale was granted $2,700 for an Environmental Control Unit which enables him to open the doors in his home.

Individual grants are awarded nationally on a quarterly basis based on eligibility requirements. Anyone living with paralysis due to a spinal cord injury is encouraged to apply. Those interested in making a donation to the Travis Roy Foundation, or would like to apply for a grant, please visit the travisroyfoundation.org website.

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TRAVIS ROY FOUNDATION: Founded in 1997, the Boston based 501 (c) 3 Travis Roy Foundation distributes grants to spinal cord injury survivors in financial need and to research projects and rehabilitation institutions across North America. The Travis Roy Foundation is uniquely positioned to touch individual lives with its focus on providing adaptive equipment and sponsoring research. In the US alone, there are approximately 1,275,000 people currently living with a spinal cord injury and 13,000 new injuries each year.