October 11th. It is a day that I will always remember. It is the day that I suffered a C5 spinal cord injury. It is the day that everything went numb, and where everything changed.

This was 17+ year ago. I remember being painfully naïve - thinking that I would be ready for my water polo game the following week, when in reality, my milestone a week later was being able to wiggle a finger.

It was a scary time, but I was, and still am, an irrational optimist. So when the doctor said the chances of walking were extremely slim, I recalled something the great Lloyd Christmas once said: "so you're telling me there's a chance."

And so I was rushed to Craig Hospital, the top neurorehabilitation hospital, ready to get to work. But even though I was ready to do whatever I needed to, progress was slow and doubt began to creep in. Thankfully though, I was at Craig Hospital.

When I think of my three months at Craig Hospital, the word that comes to mind is hope. It is a place that always made sure you knew that while your life would be different from now on, Craig would help get you to be able to all the things you love...just differently. Craig is about looking forward, not backwards. It is looking for solutions, not excuses.

It is now 17+ years later since that fateful night. My body is not perfect, nor will it ever be. I cannot do everything the same way I used to, but I have learned to adapt and live life in this current body to the best of my ability.

I am deeply grateful for the care and cutting-edge therapies offered by Craig Hospital, which is a stand-alone, not-for-profit, Top-10 rehabilitation hospital. Because Craig is not controlled by a larger, parent hospital system, it relies on donor support to provide the highest quality care to patients and their families.

Why does a hospital need donations? Donations are used to fund programs that are not covered by insurance but that directly heal the mind, body, and spirit. Your gift is put to work quickly, empowering Craig staff to provide patient-centered care such as Pet Therapy, Recreation Therapy, a nation-wide Nurse Advice Line, a School Program for teenagers, Music Therapy, and more. Donations also offer direct patient assistance to help families modify their homes for accessibility, receive necessary durable medical equipment, and support caregivers.

Please join me and my family as we give the gift of hope and healing to the patients and families who are at the beginning of their journey.