Faces of Frazier: The Chase is On!

Chase Ford is just one of many miracles at the Frazier Rehab Institute. When he was only two years old, Chase's life changed forever after playtime on the couch with his brother turned tragic. Jumping up and down, Chase fell backwards and hit his head on the wooden armrest--something I'm sure we've all done in our childhood--and as fate would have it, he was paralyzed from the neck down. "When he got hurt, I asked one doctor the prognosis," says Renee Ford, Chase's mother. "He said, 'Your son will be in a wheelchair forever.'"

But this past April, Chase proved them wrong; he walked across the finish line of the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon without assistance (photo above)!

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and University of Louisville's own Susan Harkema, Ph.D., pioneered and funded Frazier's Locomoter Training that brought Chase from zero mobility from the neck down to being able to walk over 100 yards without assistance. The program involves suspending patients in harnesses over treadmills while therapists move their legs to simulate walking. Chase was the youngest child to ever undergo this type of therapy.

"When I first got the opportunity to work with Chase he was unable to stand, and he was unable to walk by himself without assistive devices," says Lee Smith, Chase's physical therapist for the last year. Now, Chase looks forward to running again.

On the possibilities, Lee notes, "We're finding out about what we are capable of doing." On the great demand for Frazier's cutting edge therapy, "There are a lot of other people out there that we could be able to help if we just had the funding."

Want more on Chase and his inspiring journey? You simply must check out this video!

Special thanks to the Fords for allowing me to share Chase's powerful story.

From Crisis, A Benefit is Born

Imagine feeling dull back pain on Thursday...and five days later you 're unable to walk. Such is the story of my dear friend Russell, who at age 32 discovered he was one in the 1.3 million to contract Tranverse Myelitis--a rare neurological disorder that attacks the spinal cord. Some patients recover from TM with only minor or no continuing problems. Others suffer permanent impairments that impact their ability to perform ordinary tasks of daily life...walking, bathing, driving.

Nearly three months from his initial diagnosis, there is great hope. Russell is well on his way to recovery thanks in large part to his dogged determination to run again, the humor and spirit of his lovely wife Ashley, the smile and chunky thighs of his beautiful baby Annie, the prayers of friends, family, and colleagues around the world, and the state-of-the-art therapy provided by the Frazier Rehab Institute Spinal Cord Medicine Program.

Through this experience, Russell--always one to give and never quick to receive--was called to see the silver lining and pay it forward. Myself--always up for hosting a party and giving back--wanted to dedicate my planning skills for the benefit of a greater good. And so the Red Carpet & Bluegrass Benefit was born.

I hope you will join us for this charity reception in celebration of the groundbreaking work of Louisville's own Frazier Rehab Institute, and Russell's incredible journey on the road to recovery. Proceeds from the event will benefit Frazier and will help expand capacity to care for the many more waitlisted patients with spinal cord impairments...awaiting treatment...hoping for miracles.

Please check back for future event news and updates, including the launch of our official Web site. In the meantime:

• Follow Russell's journey by visiting the family blog.
• Check out Frazier's facility and courageous patients.
• Contact me to sponsor the event and receive visibility, tickets, and other benefits, including warm fuzzies.
• Save the date, and invite your friends.
• Start saving for those donations!