Grant Recipient
Rick Urso
History
From Rick’s application: I was on vacation with my family in Maui and a wave crushed me while in the ocean – my immediate goals are to be able to transfer myself from my chair to a car seat. My long-term goals are to do my own personal care and get myself in and out of bed. I was a very productive member of our community prior to my accident. I wish to be so again.
Action
The Board of Directors of the Mary and Charles A. Parkhill Foundation for Spinal Cord Rehabilitation unanimously approved a grant for 8 hours per week for 3 months – for the adaptive exercise programs at NeuAbility in Colorado.
Response from Rick and RaNae Urso
Polly, Charlie, and the entire Board,
You guys have me in tears of joy right now. I mean it. As I read your email to my wife RaNae, I just couldn’t hold them back. I don’t easily cry, but your act of kindness and generosity is worth the emotion.
Please know that I am going to work hard with the 96 hours you have given me. They will make a big difference in my life. You have given me much hope. You both inspire me to keep plugging away, one day at a time. And, to keep my eye on the prize (more independence). I will keep you informed on my progress, forever thankful that there are people like you.
Summary of Progress
The sessions are going really well. I set a goal of standing while working out for 30 minutes about a month ago, and yesterday I broke that goal. I not only broke it, I shattered it – I stood for 48 minutes while working out. Finished it with a few minutes of cardio with the ropes. Just left NeuAbility after 3 hours of training and 1/2 hour on FES bike, and am exhausted and sore. but it is a good sore. I knew this is what I needed to do to get healthy, do my own transfers and gain some independence.