Cindy Donald Foundation — Dreams of Recovery

Committed to creating a positive change...

Success Stories

Dreams of Recovery Foundation is proud to introduce our first group of grant recipients. We would like to thank all of our donors, volunteers and supporters who have contributed in making a positive impact in each recipient's life.

Recipients receive a specialized therapy program or piece of therapeutic equipment that will allow them continued recovery. Although recovery from these injuries is very slow, it is amazing to see the changes that can happen with the proper therapy and dedication by each individual.

Please take a few minutes to view each of their pages below. Here you will be able to read their success stories, view photos and videos of therapy as well as track their personal progress via Facebook, Youtube and other social media sites.

Niki Antil

My name is Niki Antil. When I was 19 yrs old, I was in a car accident. I broke my neck at the C5-6 level, which rendered me a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chest down. The accident changed my life forever taking away so many things that I took for granted. Read More
Noa Maya Carmel

Noa Maya was diagnosed at 4 months with Neuroblastoma (cancer). Unfortunately, it was compressing her spinal cord and left her paralyzed from the chest down - no sensation or movement. Read More
Chris Chapman

On May 8, 2010 I suffered an injury resulting in a broken neck in a local sporting event in Reno. This left me as a C-5 incomplete quadriplegic. Since the onset of my injury my focus has been primarily on physical therapy and getting as much return back as possible. For the level of my injury I am told that I am having a great recovery thus far and will continue to do so in the future. I have been getting significant return through my trunk and lower extremities which is showing great potential into the future for walking. Read More
Melanie Christianson

My name is Melanie Christianson. On June 12, 2012 I was in a horse accident that resulted in me fracturing my C5 & C6. The accident left me a quadriplegic. Read More
Kelley Goddu

In July 2006, Kelley Goddu, 21 years old, had a tragic diving accident that changed her life forever. Prior to the accident, she lived a very active life. Kelley grew up in New Hampshire and enjoyed playing lacrosse, competitive swimming, & gourmet cooking. At the time of her accident, Kelley was attending Syracuse University as an environmental interior design major and had aspirations of becoming an interior designer. Read More
Laurel Hodges

In February 1990, the first time I ever drove in snow and ice I had a head on collision just outside Portland Maine. No seatbelt, thrown from the vehicle into a snow bank. This turned out to be a good thing, the cold kept the swelling down. Read More
Bryan Jones

Senior Trip to Florida – July 4, 2001 – Water Accident Changed my life forever. I played competitive soccer throughout high school and had several scholarship offers from colleges like UCLA, Air Force Academy, and more. Most of my friends went to Cancun, but I chose to go to Florida for my senior trip with some friends. While horse playing with my best friend he pushed me in the water, a 10 foot drop off. Immediately, I knew something was wrong. I slowly floated up face down, drowning. 14 days later I woke up in Atlanta in the Shepherd Center ICU. Read More
Fred Kralovansky

I was 39 when I was involved in an auto accident, April 6, 2006. I was a passenger belted in when we were hit on the expressway during rush hour, two cars chasing one another when one car hit the other causing it to spin around hitting us. The impact caused the vehicle I was in to spin around 5 - 6 times pinning me under the dashboard with the roof collapsing on top of me. This accident left me an incomplete quad. Read More
In Memory of Saul Mendoza, Jr

Saul Mendoza, Jr., 16 passed away Sunday, November 28, 2010 in Escondido, California. He was born on November 4, 1994 and lived in Escondido all of his life. Saul's family would like to give special thanks to Awakenings Health Institute for all of their help and support. Read More
Gabriel Pean

In June 2009 I suffered a spinal cord infarct during surgery, severe spinal cord compression before surgery. Suffered paralysis from the waist down with gradual return of sensation after almost 3 years of physical therapy. Read More
Jawanis Rogers

My name is Jawanis Rogers, I am a 32 year old paraplegic. I suffered a spinal cord injury at T7 level (mid chest) and I have been confined to a wheelchair since May 28, 2011. I live in a city called Blakely in rural southwest Georgia. I live at home with my wife and three sons ages 15, 10 and 4 years old.. I am able to do some things for myself and I try to be as independent as possible. Read More
Dr. Drew Seibert

Hi, my name is Drew Seibert. I am a gastroenterologist, formerly with a busy practice in Gwinnett Co, just northeast of Atlanta, for 13 years. The night before Valentine's Day in 2006 was a Monday, and the next morning I had a full schedule of colonoscopies in the morning and office patients in the afternoon. I went to bed as usual--and woke up from a coma three days later, confused, breathing only on a ventilator, and paralyzed from the neck down. Read More
Josh Vanderbush

Josh Vanderbush, 22, fell from a third-floor balcony at Riverplace Apartments in Carrollton Saturday morning, injuring his spinal cord at the 6th & 7th vertebrae and breaking numerous bones in his neck. He was left paralyzed from waist down. After his fall, Josh somehow was able to use his cell phone in his pocket to call the police. Read More
Ryan Vleck

My name is Ryan Vlcek. At the tender age of 18 I suffered a C5-6 herniated disc in my neck from a car accident that rendered me a quadriplegic. It was my senior year of high school in 1995 and I was on the cusp of starting my life as an adult. I had plans of attending college and starting a career when this life changing injury occurred. I had to refocus my goals and aspirations in life and start over mentally and physically. Read More
Barry S Washington

I am loving the stander!! Getting exercise and building my standing strength. I am so appreciative of you guys...Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Read More
Molly Welch

It was February 2008; I had a horrendous car accident, one exit from Auburn where I was attending college. I crossed the median and hit a pick up truck – then fainted ---- My world completely changed. Read More