NorCal SCI expands Extended Rehabilitation Facility fund to $500,000

When we launched NorCal SCI 4 1/2 years ago, our overarching goal was to develop a solution that would help address the continuing decline in the initial length of rehab time those with a new spinal cord injury were receiving. This past year saw the average length of stay for those with an SCI at Northern California’s rehab hospitals plummet to 19 days from what used to be 60 days a mere two decades ago. Last year, we announced our most ambitious goal of opening an Extended Rehabilitation Facility by May of 2022 to help provide longer lengths of rehab for the newly-injured. Today, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are pleased to announce the allocation of $500,000 toward making this facility a reality.

Though we still need to raise additional funds, we are working hard on cementing the implementation model so that we can launch the facility by May of 2022 and be able to fully fund its operation for the first two years. Of particular importance to us is to serve those who don’t have the sufficient insurance coverage and financial means to afford the experience of intense therapy during those critical early days following their discharge from initial rehab stays.

The facility will be located in the Bay Area and will employ physical therapists, occupational therapists and exercise therapists and will have a modest inventory of appropriate adaptive equipment specifically for those with SCI. Additionally, we plan on making the facility available to other individuals with SCI who may want to use it as part of a gym membership.

What we are about to do is sorely needed in Northern California and while we acknowledge that we won’t be able to immediately serve everyone who experiences a new SCI, it is the first of many steps we will be taking to better address this issue. It requires significant sources of funding and while we’re grateful to our generous donors for covering the expenses for the first two years, we will need additional sources such as insurance reimbursement, self-pay (by those who can afford to do so), grants and donor funding.

If you agree with the direction we’re taking and have the means, directly or indirectly, to financially support us, we’d be grateful to receive such consideration HERE.

Thank you for your support and look for more news in the coming weeks.

Nick & Franklin, co-founders
NorCal SCI