Thank you for joining us at the BASH as we celebrate IM ABLE Foundations 15-year milestone of redefining possible for so many. Through your support, we have given thousands of individuals the ability to see what they can achieve, despite their challenges.
Tonight, we will be raising funds to help the next generation of adaptive athletes overcome obstacles and realize their goals. At 8:30, the band will take a break and there will be short program. We will honor Rachel Kuhn as Motivator of the Year for her contributions during IM ABLEs early years that made it possible for us to be here today. Bill Wellock, 2014 IM ABLE adaptive equipment grant recipient, will speak to the impact it had on his life. There's a short video.
And then were going to ask you to donate to help those reaching out to us today, asking for our help. What does your generosity make possible?
Jordan reached out to us this winter asking for a handcycle of his own. He and his mother drive three hours, twice a week, to Baltimore to borrow one at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Your gift of $10,000 helps us say yes to his request, or others throughout the year.
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Jordan C. I am currently 29 years old. At the age of 18, I became a quadriplegic due to a virus. It ended up being transverse myelitis. During that time, I had to be intubated due to my diaphragm becoming paralyzed. At that time, the doctors told my parents and I that I would never be able to walk again or breathe on my own. I went through vigorous therapy to learn how to walk all over again. I never thought I would be able to ride a bike again so doing this is like a dream come true.
- Jordan
Every child deserves to participate fully in childhood alongside their friends and family. A donation of $5,000 makes it possible for IM ABLE to give a bike to a child who wants nothing more than to get off the sidelines and have fun this summer.
IM ABLE owns and maintains a collection of approximately 15 adaptive cycles. Your donation of $3,000 makes it possible for us to pack them into the trailer and host a demo day, introducing people in our region to the joy that is adaptive cycling.
Your donation of $1,000 creates a mentor relationship between children and young adults in IM ABLEs programming and one of our nations finest veterans, law enforcement, and first responders. Together, they work on physical activity and leadership development.
IM FIT Inclusive Group Fitness Classes are a motivating and encouraging environment for kids who get excluded from traditional sports and fitness opportunities. IM FIT is free of charge for all participants. Its pure smiles and you can make that possible.
For people who have had a life-changing accident or health incident, IM ABLEs Adaptive PT Program picks up where insurance leaves off. People come to IM ABLE to do more than just day-to-day activities. They want more. They are not content waiting on the sidelines watching their friends and families enjoy sports or the outdoors.
There are 400 people in this room today. If every person gives at least $100, we can change the lives of thousands of adaptive athletes in this community.