Fundashon Alton Paas was founded on September 7, 2012. This year we have celebrated 10 years of existence. As we reflect on the past 10-years of the foundation, it’s truly marvelous to see how far we have traveled. The solutions we create for people with a spinal cord injury also benefit those with neurological problems. We have come across several people with a brain injury, stroke, MS, and other conditions that are benefiting from our solutions. They had nowhere else to turn and have now become a part of our foundation’s family.
While our past president, mister Alton Paas, may have been the wick to ignite this, you as our community have been the fuel that is powering us forward. Thanks to all our followers and supporters, we are seeing people living with paralysis regain confidence, independence, and improved quality of life. We have seen people celebrating greater recovery because of the work we’ve accomplished together.
Our foundation will continue working forward to change lives of people with spinal cord injuries and other neurological issues.
For the next 10 years and ahead I visualize a growth of the foundation on the following aspect
A. Consumer network
Fundashon Alton Paas will be the facilitator of a consumer network for the Caribbean. In 2018 we started a group with professionals to work united for a better quality of life for people with spinal cord injury. SCI is a challenge, both for the individual as for public health. However, with the right responses, it is possible for a person with SCI to live independently, prosper and contribute anywhere in the world. The Network will serve as a sustainable collaboration between people with SCI themselves, families and organizations related to SCI within the Caribbean region. Furthermore, we must expand to others with paralysis due to neurological and neurosurgical issues.
B. AP Center
A new AP Center, which will become more then only an exercise place. It must serve the person with mobility impairment in a much wider aspect. A place that is fully accessible, with specialized equipment, with higher levels of staffing with people trained to provide exercise programs that integrate strength and fitness training, flexibility exercises, and walking practice. Alongside a place for social encounter, a one-stop community center for health and wellness for people with a paralysis.
C. Wheelee
Wheelee will become the community accessibility transportation with the motto ‘It’s not the destination, it’s the glory of the ride’. It will be an accessible transportation that makes accessibility easy and fun.
The whole family of Fundashon Alton Paas is also focused on this direction. Specially because during our last focus day with our board and staff there was an exercise that made us all look at the future and describe the future through a magazine cover. In different words each group that presented their vision was all in alignment. That is why for the next years we will stay focused to achieve this vision as well so that we can create a future without limitations.
Written by Migarda Martina, New chairman of the Alton Paas Foundation board.