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 fri
ends 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
