Easter Seals Southwest Florida is proud to announce that it has received an $11,600 Quality of Life grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The award was one of 73 grants totaling over $537,550 awarded by the Reeve Foundation to nonprofit organizations nationwide that provide more opportunities, access, and daily quality of life for individuals living with paralysis, their families, and caregivers. Conceived by the late Dana Reeve, the program has awarded 2,380 grants totaling over $17.6 million since 1999.
Easter Seals Southwest Florida will use the grant for complete remodeling of a restroom to include a lift system and emergency call lights. The remodeling of the restroom is part of Easter Seals’ plan to create more space and accessibility for people with profound disabilities including paralysis.
“We are very honored to receive this important and competitive grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation,” says Easter Seals’ president and CEO, Ladd Waldo.
“Giving the gift of independence for individuals living with paralysis is why the Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center was created. We are honored to provide these organizations with Quality of Life grants to help make this vision come true for the paralysis community nationwide,” said Donna Valente, Quality of Life Grants Director, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. “The organizations receiving these grants will offer much needed services that will bolster their communities and strengthen the lives of those accessing these critical programs and resources.”
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants Program was created to address the myriad needs of children and adults with paralysis and other mobility impairments and their families. Grants support critical life-enhancing and life-changing initiatives that improve physical and emotional health and increase independence. Funded projects offer a diversity of services and approaches: improving access; providing education and job training; sponsoring organized sporting activities; and much more. Quality of Life grants are funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Award #U59DD000838).
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 people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB’s Charity Seal. The Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) is a program of the Reeve Foundation, and is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Award No. U59DD000838. For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-539-7309.
About Easter Seals Southwest Florida
Easter Seals Southwest Florida has been providing quality programs and services in Sarasota and Manatee counties for people of all ages with developmental disabilities since 1946. Programs begin with children six weeks of age and continue throughout the lifespan. Among programs serving children and adults with delays and disabilities such as autism, spina bifida, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, are The Lily School for Child Development, Children’s Therapy, Project Rainbow Children’s Respite, VIP Academy for Teens, and Life Skills Development for Adults. Please visit www.easterseals-swfl.org for more information.