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Recent Projects
G.O.A.L.S., Inc. (Go Out And Live Successfully!) in Boca Raton,
Florida, was formed in 1997 to assist individuals living with spinal cord
injury (SCI). Over the years, we have funded accessible ramping, pathways, home
modifications as well as accessible vehicle repair. We’ve also provided
wheelchairs, home and porch lifts, helped purchase accessible vans, supported
athletes, and worked with SCI support groups in larger settings. To date,
thanks to our many sponsors and contributors, we’ve funded over $222,000 in
grants for mobility-related projects across twenty-eight states (California,
Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin).
Earlier Projects
2007 was a a year of cheers and tears. We purchased an Airline Plus PK Cushion for Rebecca S. from Gilmer, TX. A light weight manual wheelchair for Harry L. in San Lorenzo, Ca. Harry had been trying to obtain this particular chair for nearly two years. We then helped Joe S. from Kane, PA to live his dream of playing rugby for the Pittsburgh Steelwheelers by helping fund a Rugby Chair. We also provided a bed and wheelchair for Sabrina B. of Opa Locka, FL.
Hallee S. of Port St. John, FL. was assisted with the purchase of a RT 300 stimulation system. Dino T. of Lawrence, MA, received a roof rack for his vehicle. G.O.A.L.S., Inc provided down payments on vans for Toby D. from Spring Hill, FL. and David M. of Roanoke, VA. We purchased a commode chair for Debra W. of Madison, WI. And paid a registration fee for Monica K.R. of Houston, TX, to allow her to participate in the MS. Wheelchair U.S.A. race.
Our founder Doug Richardson, who passed in March 2007, lives on in all of us. His handicapped accessible van was generously donated to the foundation by his brother Rob and was passed on to passed on to Ron B. of Apollo, FL. who was in need.
In 2006, we were able to fund a Used Van for Brenda A. from
Bellefontaine, Ohio, we co-payed for the purchase of a Storm TDX 3 Power Chair
for Kevin B. of Lake Mary, Florida and purchased a stair lift for DeVaughn
B. of Jersey City, New Jersey. We also funded a Working to Walk,
Symposium and Rally for Ben S. of Tecumseh, Nebraska, repaired a wheel
chair for Bryan G. from Durham, Missouri and made a down payment on a
used van for Henry S. of Mount Gilead, North Carolina. Our final project
for 2006 was to purchase a new wheel chair for Rocky S. of Plentywood,
Montana.
2005 was a record year for us as we funded twenty-four (24)
mobility-related projects across the country! During the 1st Quarter, we
obtained a used “car-topper” for Jim W of Sarasota, Florida so he can
store his wheelchair when driving. In Galliapolis, Ohio we repaired the
transmission on Denver B’s vehicle and arranged for a used stair-lift to
be shipped to David H of Skyesville, Maryland. Additionally, we located
a used van lift for Anthony K of Arnold, Missouri and helped with the
purchase of a wheelchair lift for Linda L of Simpsonville, Missouri. In
Clymer, New York, we helped purchase an off-road hand-cycle for Ken B and
bought a new wheelchair for Beverly B of Cincinnati, Ohio. Finally, we
provided a down payment on a four-wheel utility vehicle for Melinda F of
Unionville, Missouri and helped fund a bedroom modification for Robert F
of Glen Burnie, Maryland.
During the 2nd Quarter of the year, we shared the cost of “all court”, sports
wheelchair for Michael Z of Alvin, Texas and purchased an extra
“X-Tender” battery for Dave B in Riverside, California. We also funded
the cost and installation of electric door openers for the home of Robert M
in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and helped Marcus C of Palisades Park, New
Jersey, repair his truck. Finally, we purchased building materials for an
adaptive therapy/playhouse for eight-year old, Cody D of Moss Tennessee.
Our 3rd Quarter funding included the transportation of a used, accessible van
from Phoenix, Arizona to Hollywood, Florida for Kathy T plus an aquatic
pool lift for David J of Tampa, Florida. Additionally, we made down
payments on accessible vans for Donald K of Vinton, Iowa and Rob M
of Oxford, Mississippi.
In the 4th Quarter, we provided a grant for an adapted, hand/foot tricycle for
ten-year old Karen L of Delray Beach, Florida and made a down payment on
an accessible van for Jennifer S of Westminster, Colorado. We also
funded a “lock-down” system for Dustin T of Lawrence, Kansas to secure
his wheelchair while traveling and a “car topper” for Gary S of
Carlisle, Pennsylvania to store his wheelchair when driving. Additionally, we
purchased portable, adaptive driving hand-controls for Ty P of Ephraim,
Utah and worked with the State of Michigan to modify a vehicle for Paul G
of Jonesville, Michigan.
2004 was a very busy year for us as we funded thirteen (13)
mobility-related projects for people with spinal cord injury. In the spring, we
helped with payment for a handicapped van for Lori P of Cresson,
Pennsylvania; a quadriplegic and single mother of three. Additionally, we
helped fund a bathroom renovation for Ben S of Tecumseh, Nebraska who
had been injured last summer, after his senior year of high school. We also
advanced funds for a wheelchair for Gary P of Hebron, Indiana who had
been injured last summer in a railroad accident while working in Chicago. Also,
we installed a wheelchair van lift for William S of Perry, Florida and
purchased a scooter basket for eight-year old Maddie H of Hood River,
Oregon.
In summer, we purchased a used, accessible van for John F of Palmdale,
California who had been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver. John
will be using his van to return to work and regain a measure of independence.
We also funded a porch lift for Wayne E of Garner, North Carolina so he
may better access his home from ground level. Additionally, we bought a
collapsible wheelchair for Scott M of Ankeny, Iowa. Scott was injured
last summer following his high school graduation and will attend college this
year. Further, we provided the expenses for Gene R of Austin, Texas to
attend the Very Special Arts (VSA) International Festival in Washington, D.C.
this summer. Gene suffered a spinal cord injury at age 17 and has spent his
life working in rehabilitation and advocating for people with disabilities.
During fall, in conjunction with the State of Michigan Rehabilitation Services
and ARRO, Inc., we helped fund a power wheelchair for Kirk D of Jackson
Michigan. We also helped fund a Quickie X-Tender for Christina M of Avon
Lake, Ohio and a Quickie X-Tender and new wheelchair for Dave B of
Riverside, California. The “X-Tender” is a device that can be attached to a
manual wheelchair to give it power for short intervals when needed (hills,
inclines, etc.). It’s an outstanding innovation and helpful to people with
shoulder problems caused by prolonged use of a manual chair. Additionally, we
provided the down payment on a used, accessible van for the family of Jeff M
of Altoona, Pennsylvania.
In 2003, we funded a “Stair Glide Lift” for LeAnne R of Loudenville,
Ohio. LeAnne is a single mother with two young children who lives with her
brother in a two-story house; with the lift, she will be now be able to go
upstairs and tuck her children into bed. We also funded a “Power Seat” for Nancy
N of Englewood, Florida that will enable her to reach items on counters
and transfer in and out of bed. Additionally, we worked with Frank H of
Mandan, North Dakota to fund an elbow “touch pad” that will operate the lights,
switches and other electronic controls within his accessible van. Finally, we
provided cement to pave a patio and sidewalk for Howard S of Yuma,
Colorado. Since his injury, Howard had been unable to work in his garden and
can now continue his favorite hobby!
In 2002, we purchased a new wheelchair for Forest M in Benson, North
Carolina. Since his injury in 1980, Forest had worn out his chair and we were
glad to get him a new one! We also helped Billy M of Brookston, Indiana
with building materials for a handicapped deck on his house. Billy has two very
active youngsters and now he’ll be able to keep an eye on them. That fall, we
assisted a man in rural Oregon who had been injured when thrown from a horse.
The family of David M (a wheat rancher) saw our web site and contacted
us about paving a pathway from his garage to his shop so he could help his sons
run the farm. We’re happy to say David is now out and about in his power
wheelchair, doing what he loves!
Just before the onset of winter, we worked with Royce S to help fund a
new electric lift on his accessible van. Royce’s new lift enables him to better
get from place to place in the rugged weather of Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Earlier, we helped fund a new racing wheelchair for Brad W in La Crosse,
Wisconsin. His new, state-of-the-art chair will help improve his marathon time
and (hopefully) allow him to qualify for the next paralympics.
Another young man with Olympic dreams is Seth A, of Grand Rapids,
Michigan. Seth asked if we could help with an off-road, hand cycle so he could
continue his lifelong love of bicycling. In October 2002, he borrowed a racing
wheelchair, and in his very first try, WON the Detroit Marathon! In fact, his
time was the fastest for any handicapped marathon racer in the country and he’s
signed a contract with a leading manufacturer of wheelchairs to compete in
marathons; nationally and internationally plus train for the next paralympics!
In 2001-2002, we worked with Jamie R of West Salem, Wisconsin who was an
avid downhill skier prior to his accident. He had become adept at mono skiing
and inquired about funding to update his equipment. That same year, we also
helped Tammy L in Sarasota, Florida with a power seat for her motorized
scooter which will enable her to independently transfer from chair to bed.
Over the years, we’ve helped Lisa L of Lomita, California, who was shot
in a random act of violence eight years ago and was featured in one of our
newsletters. She's now completing her degree at USC with plans to go to law
school and advocate against gun violence. Her story is quite amazing as she is
completely paralyzed and forced to breath with a ventilator. Two years ago, we
helped Lisa with van repairs, portable ramping and wheelchair repair.
A few years ago, we funded a Stair Glide for Stephen A in Parkton, North
Carolina, to help him better access his family’s split-level home. Steve had
been injured in a diving accident and at last report, was doing fine. That same
year, we purchased a wheelchair for Jeremy A of Boise, Idaho. Jeremy had
been injured in a 250-foot fall while rock climbing and, because of
complications with insurance, desperately needed a new wheelchair. We also
worked with Rachel C of Greensboro, North Carolina who had been a
nationally ranked soccer player at the time of her car accident. She graduated
from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and finished her Master’s
Degree at Wake Forest University. Rachel, who is now a Doctoral student at the
University of Pittsburgh, needed a new wheelchair, which we were pleased to
provide.
Jayme M of Columbus, Wisconsin, was hurt in a car accident several years
ago but is active and now does motivational speaking. He was in need of a
portable ramp to better get around his town, independently and we were happy to
help with his request.
One of our initial projects was to purchase a new wheelchair for Susan H
in Orlando, Florida and, in 1999 we worked with the Boston Medical Center to
help one of their patients, Josh K, who had suffered a spinal cord
injury in a truck accident a few months after graduating from high school. We
funded building materials for accessible ramping plus home modification with
labor and support provided by family and friends in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Finally, over the years, we’ve worked with ARISE Child and Family Services of
Syracuse. In 1999, to pave the track at their People’s Park facility in
Madison County, New York and in 2000, we funded building materials to construct
an accessible restroom at their popular Marshall Farms facility. Additionally,
we funded the construction of accessible ramping at the homes of two people
with spinal cord injury in Oswego County during 1999.
It is because of the support of our many donors and sponsors that we are able
to continue our mission of helping people with spinal cord injury Go Out And Live
Successfully! For information about our foundation, please
contact us at:
G.O.A.L.S., Inc.
PO Box 7106
Albany, New York 12224
General Contact
Tel: (561) 212-6499
Email: pat@goalsinc.net
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