Rochester Rehabilitation Receives $15,000 Grant from Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

September 01, 2011

Rochester Rehabilitation is pleased to announce that it has received a Quality of Life grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for its DriveOn program. The award was one of 77 grants totaling more than $508,000 awarded by the Reeve Foundation to nonprofit organizations nationwide that aid in providing more opportunities, access, and daily quality of life for individuals living with paralysis, their families, and caregivers. Since the program was developed in 1999 by the late Dana Reeve, over 1,900 grants have been awarded, totaling nearly $14.8 million.

Rochester Rehabilitation will use the funds toward the purchase of an adapted training vehicle with adaptive equipment.

"We are grateful to the Reeve Foundation for its support of DriveOn," said Cynthia R. Huether, president and CEO of Rochester Rehabilitation. "We believe the ability to drive helps people living with paralysis and other disabling conditions to access vital health care services, job opportunities, and be a part of social and community activities."

Each year, DriveOn helps over 700 individuals with a variety of disabilities drive safely and maintain their mobility and independence with specialized driver training and education.

"We are honored to carry on Dana Reeve's legacy through the Quality of Life Grants Program," said Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. "We believe those affected by paralysis deserve the best resources, support and community. We are proud to award these organizations who provide opportunities to those individuals living with paralysis, their families and friends, and caregivers, to enhance their well-being."

Over the past 11 years, the percentage of DriveOn clients with physically disabling conditions has increased from 35% to 60%. A majority of these clients use a wheelchair and/or require adaptive driving technology to achieve mobility freedom.

In 2010, 97% of those who received specialized driver training obtained or retained their driverâ€TMs license, and 97% of these individuals were accident-free nine months later. In the Rochester community, 2000 Census statistics document that there are 110,192 individuals over the age of 16 (20% of the population) who have a disability. Of that population, 50,383 have a physical disability.

The Reeve Foundation's Quality of Life grants are divided into three categories, Actively Achieving, Bridging Barriers and Caring and Coping. Some Quality of Life grants are funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Award #1U59DD000338). These grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations that address the needs of people living with paralysis caused by spinal cord and other injuries, diseases and birth conditions.

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. For more information, and to review the entire list of Quality of Life grant recipients, please visit our website at ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.

About Rochester Rehabilitation

Since 1919, Rochester Rehabilitation has helped people with disabilities lead independent and active lives by delivering outstanding employment, health and wellness, and driver services. Rochester Rehabilitation is proud to be one of the original founding partners of the Al Sigl Community of Agencies - a collaborative partnership of nonprofits committed to making a difference in the lives of people living with disabilities - and is a United Way donor designated agency.

For more information, please visit our website at RochesterRehab.org or call 585-271-2520.