Let me first start with an apology, this letter should have been written months ago.   My name is Maria Rinaldi. I am a C5-C6 quadriplegic living in Winooski, VT.   Last year, your foundation purchased me adaptive bowling equipment. I have meant several times to write a note of thanks but this has been a whirlwind year for me. I work part time at St. Michael’s College. I direct the Winooski Community Chorus. I have had to travel twice to SC as my partner sold his place there and we had to move everything up here. Then had to travel to Canada for the passing of a relative. And on top of this I traveled to Massachusetts to take driving lessons on an adapted van (just got my driver’s license last week).

Anyway…..

Thank you so very much for adaptive equipment!   Until now my ability to have recreational outings with my friends have been very limited. Many times I would be “left out” as friends hated to see me just sit and watch as they had fun. This equipment has allowed me to participate, becoming an active part of the fun!

Many people have marveled as they watch me actually bowl (not just push a ball down a ramp). It has even inspired others to give it a try!   I can’t tell you the number of people that I have met. Most just come up to see what I am doing. It truly has broken down barriers.

With my limited part time income, there is no way I would have been able to afford this equipment.   Thank you so very much once again!

Maria E. Rinaldi

Dear Kelly Brush Foundation,

I am sending this to you as a formal thank you for the grant that was provided in order for me to get a brand new Top End Force handcycle.  As you may recall in my application, I had informed you that I did have a handcycle, but that it was more of a recreational bike, rather than one that I could compete on.  When I did my very first full marathon on January 9, 2011 at Walt Disney World, I finished in 3:21:00.  Not having any prior races to compare with, I felt that my finish time was good.  As I continued to train, and competed in three more marathons last year, my finish times were not getting much better.  Most of the races I had been entering, I either came in last place, or very close to it.  From what I was being told from other racers, if I really wanted to compete, I would need a bike designed for racing.    As a quadriplegic, I was in a totally different class of athletes than the para’s I was racing against, and I came to the conclusion that I should just focus on racing against myself.

I received the new Force just before Christmas, and had about four weeks to train for the ING Miami Marathon on January 29, 2012.  Since this was my first time on this course, but I knew there were going to be a few bridges involved, I set a finish time goal of 3:00:00. I am excited to announce to you that I had a finish time of 2:40:53.  I beat my goal time by twenty minutes, and that’s forty minutes faster than my first race.  Probably the thing that was even more exciting than my finish time was that around mile 18, I passed a para!  This new bike has opened up a totally new perspective on racing for me.  I no longer feel that I am in a class by myself, but I can now race against other athletes.

In my application letter, I had also mentioned about “paying it forward” in regards to my old bike.  I had gotten involved with the South Florida chapter of Achilles International, and after much thought and prayer in what direction I should go in starting my own organization, I felt God wanted me to start an Achilles chapter in my area.  On January 26, I was notified that I was accepted to be the director of the Achilles International, Treasure Coast chapter.

I have already been able to loan my other bike out to “Kristi”.  She is a forty year old para that has been paralyzed since she was an infant due to cancer.  It was very exciting to be there to witness her reaction when she got on the bike for the first time.  This wasn’t just the first time on a handcycle, it was her first time ON A BIKE!

Thank you again for helping to make this dream a reality, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your help.

Sincerely,
Jason Dugmore
2011 KBF Grant Recipient

Jason Dugmore, a recent KBF grant recipient, competed in the ING Miami Marathon last month in Florida.  Jason rode on his new handcyle funded by the Kelly Brush Foundation and finished with a terrific time of 2:40:53!  Congratulations, Jason.  We are so proud of you and happy to know that the Kelly Brush Foundation funds are being put to such great use.  Good luck in your next race!!

Ben Hulin was awarded a mono-ski by the Kelly Brush Foundation in 2010.  Little did we suspect at the time that Ben and his mono-ski would be featured in a Casio Mobile Phone commercial!  Check it out here:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Betsy Cabrera, Kelly Brush Foundation, 802-846-5298 or BetsyCabrera@KellyBrushFoundation.org
KELLY BRUSH FOUNDATION AWARDS $47K FOR ADAPTIVE SPORTS EQUIPMENT
ANNUAL GRANTS AIM TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION

BURLINGTON, Vt. (Jan. 10, 2012) – The Kelly Brush Foundation awarded $47,072 in grants for adaptive sporting equipment for individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) as part of the foundation’s year end round of grant giving, Kelly Brush Foundation President Charlie Brush announced.

The foundation awarded 13 Kelly Brush Individual Grant Program grants to individuals from across the United States. The financial assistance assists with purchasing adaptive equipment including monoskis and handcycles.

“Enriching the lives of those with spinal cord injury through adaptive sports and recreation is a key goal of the Kelly Brush Foundation. Specialized adaptive equipment, often customized for the individual athlete, can be cost prohibitive.  Through Kelly Brush Individual Grants, the foundation aims to remove financial barriers to participation in adaptive sports,” Brush said.

The Kelly Brush Individual Grant Program provides support to economically disadvantaged individuals to purchase adaptive sporting equipment. The program’s goal is to increase participation in adaptive sports and recreation activities and improve the quality of life for individuals living with SCI.

Chris Jefferson was among the foundation’s grant recipients. Jefferson, a U.S. Army veteran and former 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper, was awarded a grant for adaptive ski equipment that will help him as he strives for a berth on the U.S. Paralympic Team.

“This equipment will make a big difference in my skiing, which in turn will make me better and more competitive as I train for the chance to serve my country again in the 2014 Paralympics in Russia,” said Jefferson, who is training with the Paralympic Development Program in Aspen, Colo.

The foundation also announced $53,442 in Ski Racing Safety Grants to ski clubs and race teams across the country. Ski Racing Safety Grants assist racing organizations in purchasing equipment that enhances safety for racers, including safety netting to line race courses, padding for chair lift towers and spine protectors for racers. Fifteen clubs and organizations received Ski Racing Safety Grants ranging from $500 to Monroe County Special Olympics, in Michigan to replace old and unsafe helmets to $12,500 to the United States Ski and Snowboard Association Central Region, based in Minnesota, for safety netting to bring the entire region up to full netting on all courses.

“Raising the bar for ski racing safety is part of the Kelly Brush Foundation’s core mission. This round of Ski Racing Safety Grants supports clubs and race teams from Maine to Idaho in their efforts to make the safety of their athletes a priority and to change the paradigm for both ski racing and training,” Brush said.

The Kelly Brush Foundation annual grants are made possible by the foundation’s primary fund-raising event, the Kelly Brush Century Ride, which is held annually in September in Middlebury, Vt. and hosted by the Middlebury College Ski Team. This past September, 24 handcyclists and 721 cyclists rode in support of the foundation’s mission and raised more than $275,000 for the foundation’s programs including adaptive equipment grants, improving ski racing safety, advancing scientific research on SCI and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team.

About the foundation: The Kelly Brush Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving ski racing safety, enhancing the quality of life for those with spinal cord injury(SCI) through providing adaptive sports equipment, advancing scientific research on SCI and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team.  Kelly Brush, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont. The Kelly Brush Foundation affirms Kelly’s ongoing commitment to live life on her own terms and better the lives of others living with SCI. www.kellybrushfoundation.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE

CONTACT: Betsy Cabrera, Kelly Brush Foundation, 802-846-5298 or BetsyCabrera@KellyBrushFoundation.org

KELLY BRUSH FOUNDATION AWARDS $100K IN ANNUAL GRANTS

GRANTS SUPPORT SKI RACING SAFETY AND ADAPTIVE SPORTS

BURLINGTON, Vt. (Jan. 10, 2012) – The Kelly Brush Foundation awarded $100,514 in grants for spinal cord injury prevention at the end of 2011 enriching the lives of those with spinal cord injuries and furthering the foundation’s mission to improve ski racing safety, Kelly Brush Foundation President Charlie Brush announced.

The foundation granted $53,442 in Ski Racing Safety Grants to ski clubs and race teams across the country. In addition, the Kelly Brush Individual Grant Program awarded $47,072 for adaptive athletic equipment.

Ski Racing Safety Grants assist racing organizations in purchasing equipment that enhances safety for racers including safety netting to line race courses, padding for chair lift towers and spine protectors for racers. Fifteen clubs and organizations received Ski Racing Safety Grants ranging from $500 to Monroe County Special Olympics, in Michigan to replace old and unsafe helmets to $12,500 to the United States Ski and Snowboard Association Central Region, based in Minnesota, for safety netting to bring the entire region up to full netting on all courses.

“Raising the bar for ski racing safety is part of the Kelly Brush Foundation’s core mission. This round of Ski Racing Safety Grants supports clubs and race teams from Maine to Idaho in their efforts to make the safety of their athletes a priority and to change the paradigm for both ski racing and training,” Brush said.
The foundation also announced the awarding of 13 Kelly Brush Individual Grants for adaptive athletic equipment. Individuals from across the United States who are living with SCI received financial assistance with purchasing equipment including monoskis and handcycles.

“Enriching the lives of those with spinal cord injury through adaptive sports and recreation is a key goal of the Kelly Brush Foundation. Specialized adaptive equipment, often customized for the individual athlete, can be cost prohibitive.  Through Kelly Brush Individual Grants, the foundation aims to remove financial barriers to participation in adaptive sports,” Brush said.

The Kelly Brush Foundation annual grants are made possible by the foundation’s primary fund-raising event, the Kelly Brush Century Ride, which is held annually in September in Middlebury, Vt. and hosted by the Middlebury College Ski Team. This past September, 24 handcyclists and 721 cyclists rode in support of the foundation’s mission and raised more than $275,000 for the foundation’s programs including adaptive equipment grants, improving ski racing safety, advancing scientific research on SCI and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team.

About the foundation: The Kelly Brush Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving ski racing safety, enhancing the quality of life for those with spinal cord injury(SCI) through providing adaptive sports equipment, advancing scientific research on SCI and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team.  Kelly Brush, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont. The Kelly Brush Foundation affirms Kelly’s ongoing commitment to live life on her own terms and better the lives of others living with SCI. www.kellybrushfoundation.org

IMAGE CAPTION: Kelly Brush Foundation grants assist adaptive athletes in purchasing sports gear including monoskis and handcycles. In this image adaptive athlete Chris Jefferson of Aspen, Colo. competes at Copper Mountain in Colorado in December.

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The legacy and work of the Kelly Brush Foundation goes way beyond the initial funding of a monoski or handcycle.  By funding these pieces of equipment for individuals living with a spinal cord injury the Foundation is enhancing their lives in a way that most people take for granted.  This is evident when we hear back from past year grant recipients and hear how they are still enjoying their equipment and their lives even more because of it.  We recently received such a note from Faylis Ward, a 76-year old monoskier who received her grant last year from the Kelly Brush Foundation.  Faylis writes:

Just wanted to thank you once again for helping me to acquire a monoski.  I am now 76 years on this planet.  Last ski season I was able to ski 39 times with the help of my family.  After the lifts closed my son brought me up to the 12,000 foot Independence Pass just out of Aspen, Colorado.  Pushed me up the snowy slope so I could ski down.  Once on June 30th and once on July 5th.  It’s hard to believe the happy feeling I experience on each ski day.  My senior years are so much fun.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Waiting for ski season,
Faylis Ward

We say, “Thank you, Faylis!” for sharing with us how the grant you received from the Kelly Brush Foundation has impacted your life.  We hope to see you on the slopes some day!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Betsy Cabrera, 802-846-5298 or betsycabrera@kellybrushfoundation.org

RECORD SUPPORT
FOR 6^TH ANNUAL KELLY BRUSH CENTURY RIDE
OVER 700 RIDE FOR SPINAL CORD INJURY PREVENTION, ADAPTIVE SPORTS

BURLINGTON, Vt.(Sept. 15, 2011) The Kelly Brush Century Ride raised a record amount and drew the largest turnout in the six year history of the annual event held in Middlebury, Vt.

The 100-mile ride held on Sept. 10, raised over $275,000 for spinal cord injury prevention, adaptive sports and ski racing safety. A total of 721 riders participated in the scenic ride through theChamplainValley.

“With blue skies and comfortable temperatures, we could not have ordered a better day for the Kelly Brush Ride,” said Charlie Brush, president of the Kelly Brush Foundation. “I’d like to send out a huge thank you to all who rode and raised money. Thanks to the efforts of our many supporters, the foundation will be able to do more than ever to help people face the challenges of paralysis through the love of sport and improve ski racing safety.”

The largest fundraising ride in the state, the Kelly Brush Century Ride is also one of the best attended rides in the Northeast for handcyclists. This year 24 participants rode the course on handcycles.

The 100-mile ride raises money to support the Kelly Brush Foundation’s multi-faceted mission including:  improving ski racing safety, enhancing the quality of life for those with SCI through adaptive sports equipment grants, advancing scientific research on SCI and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team.

For every $5,000 raised, the foundation donates adaptive sports equipment in the name of the team or individual who raised the money. In addition, funds raised support ski racing safety grants awarded to clubs and racing organizations across the country for safety equipment such as netting to line race courses and protective gear for racers.

The Kelly Brush Century Ride was started by the Middlebury College Ski Team as a way to raise money to buy an adaptive mono-ski for team member Kelly Brush, who was paralyzed as the result of a ski racing crash. Brush and her family later founded a non-profit, and the ride was opened to the public.

The Kelly Brush Century Ride is made possible thanks to the generosity of participants and sponsors including: VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Shearer Audi, Sugarbush Resort, Earthlogic and many others.

About the foundation: The Kelly Brush Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving ski racing safety, enhancing the quality of life for those with spinal cord injury(SCI) through providing adaptive sports equipment, advancing scientific research on SCI and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team.  Kelly Brush, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont. The Kelly Brush Foundation affirms Kelly’s ongoing commitment to live life on her own terms and better the lives of others living with SCI. www.kellybrushfoundation.org

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Kelly Brush cranked her way to victory on Monday in the prestigious Boston Marathon, winning the women’s handcycle division.

Brush, of Charlotte, finished in a time of 1:55:01. She finished sixth place overall among handcyclists. Brush qualified for Boston at last year’s KeyBank Vermont City Marathon in Burlington, her first marathon attempt, where she finished in a time of 2:19. Boston was her second marathon.

“When I qualified for Boston a year ago at the Burlington marathon I had no idea what to expect. Being part of a race with tens of thousands of participants was a thrill. I can’t believe I won,” Brush said.

Training for the event was a challenge for Brush, 24, who is attending Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions in Boston, where she is studying to become a nurse practitioner. The marathon came in the middle of exams and training was difficult in the city. She was only able to ride outdoors three times before the race.

Brush is a graduate of Middlebury College where she was a member of the ski team. She sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in 2006. She and her family started the Kelly Brush Foundation to raise awareness and money for ski racing safety and spinal cord injury prevention. Each year the foundation hosts a 100-mile bicycle and handcycle ride in Middlebury, Vt. that raises money for the foundation. This year the Kelly Brush Century Ride is set for Sept. 10.

The Kelly Brush Foundation awarded $45,000 in Kelly Brush Inspiration Grants for adaptive sports equipment to recipients from Maine to California, Executive Director Joyce Wallace announced.

In all, 14 individuals from across the United States who are living with spinal cord injury (SCI) received grants for adaptive equipment including monoskis and handcyles.

“By providing individuals with adaptive sports equipment through Kelly Brush Inspiration Grants, the foundation significantly enhances the lives of those with spinal cord injuries enabling them to get back to the sport they love or to experience a form of recreation brand new to them,” Wallace said.

Grant recipients included Ben Hulin from Southbend, Ind. who suffered a spinal cord injury in a motorcycle accident. Hulin will use his award to purchase a mono-ski for teaching adaptive skiing at the National Ability Center in Park City Utah and to pursue his dream of alpine racing.

“Each year the Kelly Brush Foundation grows, we are able to make a positive difference in the lives of more people with spinal cord injuries,” said Charlie Brush, Foundation President and father of Kelly Brush.