The Kelly Brush Foundation | Dedicated to Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Research

KELLY BRUSH FOUNDATION AWARDS $100K IN ANNUAL GRANTS

by betsy on January 10, 2012

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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Grant Recipient Thanks KBF

by betsy on November 17, 2011

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:

: Faylis Ward on her KBF Monoski

Dear Kelly Brush Foundation,

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!

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Kelly Brush Ride Raises Record Amount: Enjoys Largest Turnout Ever

by betsy on September 12, 2011

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 Wins Boston Marathon Handcycling Womens Division

by admin on April 19, 2011

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.

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KBF Awards $45K for Adaptive Sports Equipment

by admin on December 16, 2010

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.

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Kelly Brush Featured in ESPN’s Women’s History Month

by betsy on October 25, 2010

Kelly was selected as one of the women ESPN featured during their “Women’s History Month” on SportsNation in 2009. ESPN was interested in Kelly’s story because of her skilled athleticism accompanied by her determination and perseverance. You can check out the ESPN interview here.

or here: more ESPN interview here.

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675 riders raise $275,000

by admin on September 14, 2010

The 5th annual Kelly Brush Century Ride drew 675 riders and raised $275,000 for spinal cord injury prevention and research on Saturday.

The ride, which began and ended at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt. included 23 participants using hand cycles. The day was postcard perfect with clear blue skies and temperatures in the 70s.

“We are absolutely thrilled to see such strong support for the foundation and our mission,” said Charlie Brush, Kelly Brush Foundation president. “Our thanks goes to each and every rider whose participation helps the Kelly Brush Foundation make a positive difference in the lives of those with SCI and raises the bar for ski racing safety.”

The 100-mile ride raises money for 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.

The ride continues to grow each year. The number of participants grew by about 175 this year and fundraising increased by about 40 percent.

For every $5,000 raised by a team or individual, 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 ski clubs and racing organizations across the country for safety netting to line race courses and safety gear for racers.

The Kelly Brush Century Ride is made possible thanks to the generosity of participants and sponsors including: VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Sugarbush Resort, Shearer Audi, Audi of America, KeyBank, Saatchi & Saatchi and Champlain Investment Partners and others.

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Kelly Brush Learns to Monoski on Fox Sports

by betsy on October 25, 2009

Watch Kelly’s interview with Fox Sports originally aired in 2009. The interview shows how inspiring Kelly is in her continued efforts to be the most she can be (and more!)

Interview on Fox Sports| Kelly Brush Foundation
- Watch more Sports Videos at Vodpod.

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2009 KBF Ride: Olympic Athletes and Grant Recipients Ride Side by Side

by betsy on August 25, 2009

Local news WPTZ Channel 5 featured the 2009 KBF Century Ride in this video which shows Paralympians Sarah Will and Chris Waddell who rode in that year’s event alongside of 15 other hand cyclists, many of whom are KBF grant recipients themselves.

Together, the hand cyclists raised over $10,000 for the Foundation, funding at least two individual grants for individuals.

WATCH VIDEO here.

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Kelly Brush named one of “Middlebury People of the Year” – 2009

by betsy on April 25, 2009

Middlebury People of the Year

The Middlebury Campus’ People of the Year men-o-year

Student of the Year

Kelly Brush ‘08

Since returning to Middlebury after a tragic skiing accident last spring that has confined her to a wheelchair, Kelly Brush ‘08 has demonstrated unparalleled optimism and strength – biking nine miles in a race this fall to raise money for custom sporting equipment, and inspiring her family, fellow students and faculty alike.

“It’s incredible how fast she has transitioned, hardly complaining, just taking each new challenge in stride,” says Kelly’s sister Lindsay Brush ‘07.

“I have never been so inspired by someone I was so close with,” says friend and roommate Lani Young ‘08, who likens Brush to the famous peacemakers, politicians and athletes from whom she drew inspiration from as a child. Young described visiting Brush at Berkshire Medical Center in Massachusetts, and, upon commenting on Brush’s “giant white high-tops,” Brush quickly responded by saying “Lans, when I get better we’re going to ball together.” Such optimism, asserts Young, epitomizes Brush’s approach to life. “Ever since her accident she has been completely focused on the things she still can do, and not on what she can’t.”

Brush’s resolute attitude was particularly prevalent in the film class she recently took with Visiting Assistant Professor of Film and Media Culture Deborah Ellis. Even though the limited wheelchair access in the screening room forced Kelly to sit in the far back, she managed to attend classes even in the midst of winter. “The worst day was one spring snowstorm when everyone was soaked,” recalls Ellis. “Kelly’s gloves were drenched from wheeling through the mush.”

“I think Kelly’s bravery really came through one day when she screened a video she made,” says Ellis. In the video, a young woman, portrayed by Kelly, drives to the drugstore to buy a pregnancy test. Ellis explained how the class “hadn’t imagined Kelly beyond her wheelchair.” In screening her video, explained Ellis, “Kelly had opened up a world for the students in the class and since that day she sat higher in her chair.”

In addition to driving, Brush does a variety of physical activities.

“If it’s active and available for her to do, she’s doing it,” says Lindsay – “from skiing to biking, she’s never afraid.”

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