Getting Back Up Foundation

For those seeking a way to continue going to physical therapy after their insurance no longer covers it, the Getting Back Up Foundation is one of the best foundations out there that was created for this very purpose. From helping people cover the financial costs of exercise-based recovery to covering the costs of much-needed adaptable products, the Getting Back Up Foundation has been helping the spinal cord injury community since 2011. 

And there's more. They have a housing project idea for people with spinal cord injuries that could change the lives of many. Learn about this, as well as who founded this amazing organization, who they've helped, and how you can apply for help, below.  

How They Help

Scott Fedor, who was in a successful marketing career at the time of his injury, broke his neck in a diving accident in 2009. Within two years, he had already experienced the injustices of the medical insurance industry in the US. 

With a high-level cervical injury and paralyzed from the shoulders down, he found himself in a nursing home with absolutely no physical therapy.

Miraculously, he was able to return to physical therapy and get the products he needed by the generosity of friends and family in his life. Overblown by their love and support, he felt encouraged to help others like him who were also in need, which is how the Getting Back Up Foundation was born in 2011. His drive to make a difference was the integral reason the foundation come to fruition and now 10 years later, the foundation has impacted thousands of lives.

The Getting back Up Foundation in fact shares stories of their grant recipients. On this page (https://www.gettingbackup.org/our-recipients/), you can read individual stories of some of their recipients and specifically how the foundation helped them after their spinal cord injury. For example, Alina, an L1 paraplegic from Utah, received a scholarship to continue exercise-based recovery at Neuroworx and the Absolute Center in Sandy, Utah (https://www.gettingbackup.org/our-recipients/alina-g/). Or Heather G., a C5-6 quadriplegic from Colorado, received an exercise scholarship to attend the SCI Recovery Project in Denver, Colorado (https://www.gettingbackup.org/our-recipients/heather-g/). The Getting Back Up Foundation helps anyone in any US state, even though they are based in Ohio.

If you are in need of adaptive equipment that insurance won't cover as well, Getting Back Up may help. Any products that will help you navigate through everyday tasks that are difficult because of your injury are equipment they will consider paying for. When applying, you can specify the equipment you need and why, and make sure to list the price as well.  

And lastly, one of their most exciting initiatives is called "The Quad." Knowing one of the biggest issues in the spinal cord injury community is finding accessible housing, they want to build an accessible housing facility called "The Quad” that will be a cohabitation housing facility where people with spinal cord injuries can live together on a permanent basis vs. living in a nursing home. It will have all of the accessible accommodations they need as well. If you are interested in helping this dream happen, please contact them.

How to Apply for Help

The Getting Back Up Foundation makes applying for their scholarships and grants incredibly easy. Simply click on the “Apply “button at the top of their page, and you'll be brought to a link where you can download their "Application for Assistance." Once you fill out the PDF application, answer all the questions, and can upload it directly on their site or you can email it to them at info@gettingbackup.com. 

Note: When you fill out the form, you will need to inform them of any other funding services you may be receiving, as well as a full quote of the service or product requested and biography and photo.

But don’t be shy. If you have a spinal cord injury and need the Getting Back Up Foundation can help with, we encourage you to apply. They help pay for more than 350 hours of exercise-based therapy each year to hundreds of people in need.

- Learn more: https://www.gettingbackup.org/