Your Impact
Transformative
Tales:
Your Impact in Action: Transforming Lives Through IM ABLE Participants’ Stories
A Look Inside Our World
Welcome to the heart of IM ABLE where stories of triumph, resilience, and determination come to life. Immerse yourself in the inspiring narratives of individuals and families from throughout the community, each with their own unique journey of overcoming. Through captivating photos, compelling videos, and intimate backstories, these accounts offer glimpses into the lives of real people who have overcome adversity with courage and strength. Explore their stories and witness the remarkable resilience that defines the spirit of IM ABLE.
Recently Added Stories
Jon H.
In 2017, Jon had a spinal cord tumor removed from his neck. The surgery left him with lasting challenges, but it didn’t take away his competitive spirit.
Aaron B.
Despite being diagnosed with Bruck Syndrome as an infant, Aaron has faced every challenge with strength and determination. With your help, he’s received a basketball wheelchair and support that have dramatically improved his quality of life. Today, Aaron continues to defy the odds – showing the world just how able he truly is.
Kevin N.
After losing his right leg above the knee due to complications from kidney disease in 2021, Kevin faced deep depression and feared his active life was over. Through rehabilitation, a shift in mindset, and discovering adaptive sports, he found renewed purpose – falling in love with sled hockey and joining the Mighty Penguins team. With support from an IM ABLE Foundation grant, Kevin regained independence, completed a 5K on a handcycle, and is now preparing to return to work, reclaiming a life he once thought was out of reach.
Andrea "Andy" L.
After suffering five simultaneous strokes, Andy was told she’d never stand or walk again—but she wasn’t ready to give up. With the support of IM ABLE’s Adaptive Personal Training Program, she began rebuilding her strength and defying expectations. Today, the music-loving former runner is reclaiming her mobility one step at a time, proving resilience rocks.
Kyle K.
At just 13 years old, Kyle survived a devastating car accident that left him with 27 broken bones, a torn aorta, and life-threatening injuries, launching his family into years of intensive care and recovery. Despite the doctors’ bleak outlook, Kyle pushed through countless therapies and eventually found motivation and healing through adaptive sports. With support from the IM ABLE community, he made a powerful return to activity and proves that with the right support, recovery and joy are possible.
Beth K.
After surviving Toxic Shock Syndrome that developed from strep throat and resulted in quadruple amputation, Beth rediscovered independence and purpose through adaptive biking and fitness with the IM ABLE Foundation. Once an avid hiker, she now embraces competition, strength, and new goals – proving the second half of her life is just beginning!
Brian O.
Brian, a gifted athlete from West Baltimore, became paraplegic at 24 after surviving a 2008 shooting, a moment that reshaped his life but not his determination. Through handcycling, mentoring, and sharing his story, he has transformed tragedy into purpose, inspiring others to stay resilient.
Cheryl
Cheryl, a former dancer living with multiple chronic and neurological conditions, transformed her own journey of disability into purpose by creating inclusive, adaptive Zumba classes that emphasize fun, choice, and functional movement. With support from the IM ABLE Foundation, she became a licensed instructor and now empowers people of all ages and abilities to keep moving, build confidence, and improve their daily lives — proving that movement is both healing and transformative.
Esther K.
After years of struggling with paralysis and depression following brain stem tumor surgery, Esther made a powerful decision – to reclaim her health and independence. With your help, she received an EvolutionVN in-home exercise station designed for people with disabilities. Now, she’s building strength on her own terms and surprising her family with her determination to thrive.
Greg H.
Greg suffered a stroke in March 2022 and was told he would likely never regain movement, comprehension, or independence. Refusing to accept that outcome, Greg’s son reached out to IM ABLE for help securing a recumbent trike to support his father’s recovery. With Greg’s determination and the backing of the IM ABLE community, he received the trike and soon after completed a sprint triathlon.
Jared S.
In August 2006, Jared sustained a complete T5 spinal cord injury in a car accident, abruptly changing his active lifestyle of ice hockey, BMX biking, and horseback riding. Despite the life-altering event, his determination remained strong. With support from IM ABLE’s donors, Jared received a Mako adaptive mountain bike from Reactive Adaptations, allowing him to stay active and continue pursuing his passion for adventure.
Jessica K.
Through adaptive cycling and the support of donors, Jessica found freedom, strength, and a powerful way to care for herself while continuing to inspire her students and advocate for the disability community.
JoAnn K.
Fifteen years after a devastating sideline accident left Joann with severe orthopedic and neurological complications, she made the life-changing decision to undergo a hip-level leg amputation. This choice gave her a renewed sense of independence – allowing her to stand, sit, and walk for the first time in over a decade. Thanks to your donations, she received an adaptive handcycle and proudly took 1st place in the Women’s Handcycle division at the 2025 Boston Marathon.
Jon D.
Jon was welcomed into his foster family as an infant, and early developmental concerns led to years of physical, occupational, and speech therapy to support his growth. Despite ongoing challenges with muscle weakness and communication, Jon’s determination remained strong, and his family eventually discovered the IM ABLE Foundation’s IM FIT and Adaptive CrossFit programs. These inclusive fitness opportunities helped Jon build strength, independence, and confidence—transforming his abilities and daily life in meaningful ways.
Patrick S.
Patrick, a lifelong athlete, overcame severe, drug-resistant seizures and Rasmussen Syndrome that ultimately left him functioning with one hemisphere of his brain, refusing to give up despite being told he would never walk again. Through adaptive sports and the IM ABLE Foundation, he rediscovered his passion in biking and triathlons, rebuilding his confidence
Rodger K.
Rodger, a lifelong athlete and triathlon competitor, refused to let a spinal cord injury in 1999 stop him from pursuing the sport he loved. With grit and determination – and a handcycle loaned by IM ABLE’s Chris Kaag – Rodger returned to competition, eventually becoming the oldest person ever to compete in the handcycle division in the Ironman World Championship.
Stella C.
When Stella was born, her parents were devastated by a bleak prognosis and grieved the future they thought she had lost. Attending IM ABLE’s BASH and Got the Nerve? Triathlon gave them renewed hope, showing a vibrant, inclusive community where kids like Stella are celebrated and supported. Thanks to your support, Stella is growing up in a world that embraces her fully—where instead of hearing “she can’t,” she’s surrounded by people saying, “she can.”
The Marcinkowski Family
When Sherry’s daughter Amber was diagnosed with a rare and debilitating hip disease, their family’s world was turned upside down – physically, emotionally, and socially. At her lowest point, a meeting with Chris Kaag and the IM ABLE Foundation gave Amber hope, showing her that her challenges didn’t define her and that she still had the power to live an active, fulfilling life. Through support like a loaned adaptive bike and genuine inclusion, IM ABLE not only changed Amber’s path but uplifted the entire Marcinkowski family.
The McDevitt, Saunders, and Kutch Families
Through the generosity of IM ABLE Foundation donors Tom and Elaine McDevitt, two Berks County families gained life-changing access to adaptive cycling equipment. Their support empowered Chris Saunders, a father paralyzed in a hunting accident, and Andrew Kutch, a young man with Down syndrome, to stay active and enjoy the outdoors with their families.
Todd G.
Todd’s life was transformed after a spinal cord injury left him a quadriplegic, but through intense rehabilitation and the help of an adaptive e-assist trike funded by IM ABLE, he’s regained mobility and a renewed sense of purpose. A lifelong outdoor adventurer, Todd now uses cycling not only for his own physical and emotional healing but also to inspire others, including veterans, through his own nonprofit.
