I was 21 years old serving our country in the US Marine Corps. Everything changed in 1997 when I was sent to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The eventual diagnosis was AMN (adrenomyeloneuropathy), a degenerative nerve condition that cut short my career in the military.
Over those nine weeks at Walter Reed, and in the years since, the diagnosis could have consumed me, defined me. I still remember seeing kids hooked up to all sorts of machines. Seeing parents and siblings by their sides, questioning what their future would look like. It rocked me to my core. I wanted to hug all of them. It was then that I realized a new purpose. I chose to show them that life wasn’t over for us. We would need to adapt, but we could still achieve and accomplish incredible things.
You also believe in that idea so much that you’ve given your time, money, and a heck of a lot of support for so many people and in so many ways. Grant recipients and program participants in the thousands have realized new limits and new joys. Thanks to you.
When we change the life of one individual, understand that it ripples out, affecting entire families. It also benefits mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, grandmothers and grandfathers.
Your donations give entire families an activity they can do together. You give caregivers a break. You put proud smiles on parent’s faces when they see their children doing the things every child deserves the opportunity to experience.
Please, give today and help us rise to this challenge.
Chris Kaag, Founder, IM ABLE Foundation
The IM ABLE Foundation’s work of helping those who can benefit from our programs continues to reach further and further into the community. If you would like to get involved, we would love to have your support. Involvement includes volunteering, making a charitable donation, organizing a fundraiser or becoming a partner through sponsorship. Whatever you can do, your contribution will help tremendously.
