Hi Everyone,
My dad and I decided you should get to know us and what our vision is for the Walk and Roll Foundation. It’s the beginning of our exciting journey to promote awareness to both able-bodies and those suffering with a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Not only does a SCI affect that one person, it also affects the entire family. We, as many others, know how a SCI affects you not only physically but also mentally.
As my dad and I sit here discussing this past year, I realized once I left the hospital, I knew I needed to take action and focus in my rehabilitation in order to regain as much function as possible. This is where my dad and I began to research information we had gotten from family and other sources. Through this research what touched us the most was a facility called Project Walk based out of Carlsbad, CA. Project Walk is an intense exercise-based facility focused on SCI. Project Walk uses the Dardzinski Method™ which got our attention when we researched their facility. Six months post injury, we decided that since there wasn’t anything near Monterey or even close by that could provide me with the challenging rehabilitation that I had been thriving for and I knew I needed to be there.
By the second or third day my dad and I began meeting people with injuries, some similar to mine, that were told as I was told, “you’ll never get function back”. Some people were getting slight movement back and others could even stand and take steps. Watching the trainers and their huge passion for what they did really helped me stay motivated. This got my attention because since day one when the doctors came in and told me I would never dance again, let alone walk, this was unacceptable to me. From the age of 3 my life and goal was to be a dancer. I made the decision then to fight to prove them wrong. As time went on and we met more miracles, I noticed my dad asking more questions and disappearing at times to talk with the Director of Operations and other staff members. I couldn’t help but notice after a couple weeks of being at Project Walk his level of excitement was matching mine. It was like the meeting of the minds, our conversations were starting to drift into an area of excitement that had a strong meaning we were not aware of at the time. But today we are very much aware of what that meeting of the minds was all about.
Since there is nothing in or around our area (Monterey CA) we understood not only did we need it but many others need a facility like this in Central and Northern CA. This was the beginning of our mission to start a nonprofit organization so we could move forward with a facility here.
There are many other goals for Walk and Roll. We want to reach out and help the less fortunate receive financial aid and furnish a knowledgeable resource center they can rely on. We also want to inform the general public more about SCI and that even if a person that has insurance doesn’t mean they receive what they need. For instance, we found many people, including me, who were told by their insurance that a wheelchair was not covered because it wasn’t a necessity? This is so wrong and with the help of others we will make a difference.
We have a lot of goals and idea’s to reach out and give back. I’ve been blessed by the support of my family, friends and community and I would ask that everyone who has helped me with my journey to please continue by supporting the Walk and Roll Foundation, so we can help many others in need. I’ve watched my family and friends see me struggle to learn how to do the everyday things in life a different way. I would like to ask anyone reading this to take some time and visit people suffering with a SCI in the hospital or a rehab center and I believe it will open up a part of your heart the will change who you are as a person, it’s changed us! The emotional and physical changes that occur for everyone around a SCI are unexplainable.
When I speak with schools and organizations about my life, I want so badly for them to understand how life as we know it can be taken from us by one choice we make, or the choice of someone else. I’m reaching out to teens and adults in hopes they understand this could be them or someone they love in this situation. None of us are invincible and I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be where I am..
Please continue to follow us here at Walk and Roll as we expand our staff, vision and resources to take the Walk and Roll Foundation around the world. My dad and I appreciate everyone who’s been reaching out and supporting this mission! Our goal is to help and provide information and resources so survivors and families can lead a strong and productive life.
With your help and support we can make a difference!
Sincerely,
Chelsie & Jon Hill
My dad and I decided you should get to know us and what our vision is for the Walk and Roll Foundation. It’s the beginning of our exciting journey to promote awareness to both able-bodies and those suffering with a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Not only does a SCI affect that one person, it also affects the entire family. We, as many others, know how a SCI affects you not only physically but also mentally.
As my dad and I sit here discussing this past year, I realized once I left the hospital, I knew I needed to take action and focus in my rehabilitation in order to regain as much function as possible. This is where my dad and I began to research information we had gotten from family and other sources. Through this research what touched us the most was a facility called Project Walk based out of Carlsbad, CA. Project Walk is an intense exercise-based facility focused on SCI. Project Walk uses the Dardzinski Method™ which got our attention when we researched their facility. Six months post injury, we decided that since there wasn’t anything near Monterey or even close by that could provide me with the challenging rehabilitation that I had been thriving for and I knew I needed to be there.
By the second or third day my dad and I began meeting people with injuries, some similar to mine, that were told as I was told, “you’ll never get function back”. Some people were getting slight movement back and others could even stand and take steps. Watching the trainers and their huge passion for what they did really helped me stay motivated. This got my attention because since day one when the doctors came in and told me I would never dance again, let alone walk, this was unacceptable to me. From the age of 3 my life and goal was to be a dancer. I made the decision then to fight to prove them wrong. As time went on and we met more miracles, I noticed my dad asking more questions and disappearing at times to talk with the Director of Operations and other staff members. I couldn’t help but notice after a couple weeks of being at Project Walk his level of excitement was matching mine. It was like the meeting of the minds, our conversations were starting to drift into an area of excitement that had a strong meaning we were not aware of at the time. But today we are very much aware of what that meeting of the minds was all about.
Since there is nothing in or around our area (Monterey CA) we understood not only did we need it but many others need a facility like this in Central and Northern CA. This was the beginning of our mission to start a nonprofit organization so we could move forward with a facility here.
There are many other goals for Walk and Roll. We want to reach out and help the less fortunate receive financial aid and furnish a knowledgeable resource center they can rely on. We also want to inform the general public more about SCI and that even if a person that has insurance doesn’t mean they receive what they need. For instance, we found many people, including me, who were told by their insurance that a wheelchair was not covered because it wasn’t a necessity? This is so wrong and with the help of others we will make a difference.
We have a lot of goals and idea’s to reach out and give back. I’ve been blessed by the support of my family, friends and community and I would ask that everyone who has helped me with my journey to please continue by supporting the Walk and Roll Foundation, so we can help many others in need. I’ve watched my family and friends see me struggle to learn how to do the everyday things in life a different way. I would like to ask anyone reading this to take some time and visit people suffering with a SCI in the hospital or a rehab center and I believe it will open up a part of your heart the will change who you are as a person, it’s changed us! The emotional and physical changes that occur for everyone around a SCI are unexplainable.
When I speak with schools and organizations about my life, I want so badly for them to understand how life as we know it can be taken from us by one choice we make, or the choice of someone else. I’m reaching out to teens and adults in hopes they understand this could be them or someone they love in this situation. None of us are invincible and I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be where I am..
Please continue to follow us here at Walk and Roll as we expand our staff, vision and resources to take the Walk and Roll Foundation around the world. My dad and I appreciate everyone who’s been reaching out and supporting this mission! Our goal is to help and provide information and resources so survivors and families can lead a strong and productive life.
With your help and support we can make a difference!
Sincerely,
Chelsie & Jon Hill