The aim of the Human Development Institute’s Wellness Edge grant program was to increase the quality of engagement for individuals with paralysis and their support networks, including caregivers, family, and friends in recreational settings, and thereby improve health outcomes of not only the individual but also his or her support network by building capacity of local communities to enhance and facilitate access to recreational programs, so they might effectively serve individuals with paralysis and their support networks.
Why? An estimated 5.4 million people live with paralysis in the United States. The leading causes of paralysis are stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis. People impacted by paralysis are more likely to have health risk factors, such as being overweight, smoking and not being active; which put them at greater risk of developing secondary conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Given the higher health risk that individuals with paralysis face and the lack of infrastructure in the state to provide accessible and inclusive recreational programming, there is a strong need to help communities develop, implement, and provide accessible recreational services.
How? A three-year grant totaling $600,000 from the Administration on Community Living to support a Paralysis Resource Center State Pilot program grant. Wellness Edge will provide grants of up to $10,000-$24,999 to community organizations that provide organized recreational activities that are intentionally designed to benefit individuals, groups or communities.
Funded projects
The PDFs below highlight the projects which were funded by the Wellness Edge project. They provide information about adaptive sports or equipment and assistive technologies that can help everyone participate. Each one also includes contact information for the recipient.
- Archery ft Bowling Green Parks & Rec
- Artistic expression ft IDEAS XLab
- At the gym ft The Ethan Foundation
- Curling ft Derby City Curling Club
- Golf ft the Kentucky-Indiana Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Horseback riding & bowling ft the Spina Bifida Association of Kentucky
- Kayak launch ft the LFUCG Jacobson Park project
- Kayaking ft Warren County Parks & Rec
- Mini golf & fishing ft KARRN Stroke Camp
- Physical Education ft Fayette County Schools
- Social recreation ft Independence Place & Project SHARE
- Tennis ft Bluegrass Tennis Association
- Water skis and tubing ft. Easterseals Bluegrass
- Wellness ft Gathering Strength