HYDE PARK CHURCH SUPPORTS FELLOW RESIDENT IN HIS MISSION
TO ASSIST THOSE WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES:

HYDE PARK, MA (October 21, 2009)—

The members of the First Congregational Church of Hyde Park have decided to make a $35,000 donation to Journey Forward, a Canton-based nonprofit dedicated to bettering the lives of those who have suffered a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).

Journey Forward was founded by Dan Cummings, a Hyde Park resident, who on June 24, 2000, dove into shallow water and suffered a severe spinal cord injury. Cummings was diagnosed a C-6 quadriplegic and was told that he would never walk again. “I refused to listen to what I was hearing. I was 19 years old at the time with my whole life ahead of me, and I was dedicating it to getting out of my wheelchair. The first three years I felt that I was being taught how to live in my wheelchair; I needed to be taught how to get out of my wheelchair!” Cummings said.

After learning about a specialized spinal cord recovery center based in California, Cummings spent the next four years in its intense exercise-based program before miraculously walking out of the doors in March, 2007. Cummings then decided that his next step would be to assist others and give them the opportunity to gain independence. In June of 2008, Cummings opened the doors to Journey Forward, the only New England facility that uses the latest in research and equipment to assist SCI clients of all abilities in a very active, full body approach.

This donation will be used to assist Journey Forward in providing the latest technology and research and increase awareness of the organization.

For more information, please contact Dan Cummings, DanC@Journey-Forward.org (781)828-3233.