Lead Stories, News

CPW receives grant from Christopher Reeve Foundation

Cerebral Palsy of Westchester (CPW) is proud to announce that it has been awarded $12,579 as part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National
Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) 2022 2nd Cycle Direct Effect Quality of Life grants. CPW’s grant is one of fifty-seven grants totaling $1,122,501 that were
awarded through the program, supporting nonprofit organizations that empower individuals living with paralysis.

According to the Reeve Foundation, more than 3,600 grants totaling over $37 million have been awarded since the Quality of Life Grants Program’s inception. Funding for this program was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL grant #90PRRC0006-02-00).

“These awarded projects are addressing some of the most dire needs of our community. Organizations are still reeling from the effects of the pandemic and are
now bracing for a possible recession while facing inflation and ever-rising costs,” said Mark Bogosian, Director, Quality of Life Grants Program, Reeve Foundation. “The Reeve Foundation is proud to partner with these organizations and support their initiatives that enhance the quality of life for the community we serve.”

CPW will use the grant to purchase and install a special adaptable and accessible wheelchair-to-water pool lift, allowing for a greater number of program
participants living with severe disabilities the ability to enjoy the therapeutic effects of CPW’s swimming pool. Annually, over 150 child and adult program participants use the pool – it is a sought-after destination during the summer months, especially during the Jimmy Vejar Summer Fun program that runs each July and August. The pool is used for a variety of functions including swimming lessons, recreational swim, and swim therapy.

According to Linda Kuck, CPW’s Executive Director, “Water gives the person a higher range of motion capabilities, and, for many of our clients, is the only way
they can exercise or move independently. We would like to thank the Reeve Foundation for this wonderful gift!”

About the Reeve Foundation: The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. By uniting the brightest minds in the field, the foundation works tirelessly to accelerate scientific discovery across the field of spinal cord research by investing in labs across the globe. Additionally, through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, the Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) promotes the health, well-being, and independence of people living with paralysis, providing comprehensive information, resources, and referral services assisting over 100,000 individuals and families since its launch in 2002. The Reeve Foundation is committed to elevating our community’s voices and needs to achieve greater representation
and independence. For more, visit christopherreeve.org.