Meet the Spring 2025 Active Fund Cohort

We’re so excited to introduce the Spring 2025 Active Fund cohort: 138 individuals receiving equipment grants and 21 more getting the chance to test gear through Try-It-First awards. 

Congratulations to the 159 people from 39 states and territories who are turning dreams into action and doing the activities they love.

While some are returning to competitive sports, others are carving out time for family bike rides and finding joy in recreation. Each person’s path is unique, but they all share a drive to stay active, and now they’re getting the right equipment to make that happen.

This grant cycle supported everything from high-performance racing chairs to all-terrain equipment built for outdoor adventure. Some of the most awarded items included:

  • Offroad Handcycles: 33
  • Basketball Chairs: 26
  • All-terrain Chairs: 21
  • Road Handcycles: 16
  • Tennis Chairs: 13
  • Alpine Skis: 13

We also saw hockey sleds, rugby chairs, adaptive snow and water sports equipment—even a wake surfboard. The variety says a lot about the energy, motivation, and diverse interests in this community.

These grants are going to people from across the map, with the highest numbers coming from:

  • California: 20
  • Texas: 10
  • Florida: 9
  • Pennsylvania: 8
  • North Carolina: 8

Ages ranged from just 8 years old to 66, though most folks were in their 20s and 30s. Over a third of this group sustained their injuries within the past four years, but others have been living with a SCI for much longer—proof that the drive to stay active never goes away.

This program isn’t just about equipment—it’s about what that equipment makes possible. Here’s what a few of our Spring 2025 grantees had to say:

“This grant will allow me to remain active, involved, and engaged in my daughter’s childhood in ways that are currently limited. It will ensure that as I age with SCI, I have the ability to continue parenting outdoors and sharing experiences with my family that are otherwise physically impossible.”

“When I’m carving down a run, I’m not thinking about paralysis, I’m just skiing. Having my own equipment will allow me to progress even further, ski more consistently, and join my friends and girlfriend on future trips without relying on borrowed gear or scheduling around equipment availability.”

“I previously competed in triathlons as an able-bodied athlete. Finding that I could once again do it with adaptive equipment was a game changer… My goal of competing at the World Championships and Paralympic Games will become that much more feasible with equipment designed to support me and fit me.”

From first-time trail riders to Paralympic hopefuls, from kids learning the ropes to adults rediscovering movement—this cohort shows us what’s possible when determination meets the right support.

We can’t wait to see where they go next.

Congratulations to the Spring 2025 Active Fund cohort!

Living with an SCI and interested in getting your own adaptive sports equipment? Consider applying for one of our Scholarships to try a new sport, test out a piece of equipment, or build skills by attending camps, clinics, or other adaptive sports programs. Once you find the perfect fit, check out our Active Fund guidelines to prepare your paperwork for our Spring 2025 cycle! 

Questions about our grants? Feel free to reach out to us a [email protected]