Cindy Donald Foundation — Dreams of Recovery

Committed to creating a positive change...

Success Stories

Dreams of Recovery Foundation is proud to introduce our 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 A

My name is Niki A. 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
Christopher B

Chris was at a family gathering when he fell off the boat onto a shallow sandbar causing a C4, C5 spinal cord injury. Read More
Jennifer BL

My name is Jennifer, a 22 year old Lebanese American and a paraplegic. On December 28, 2008, I was involved in a sledding accident where I fell on my back and dislocated two vertebrae at T10/11 which caused my spinal cord to bruise. The doctor's diagnosis, I would never be able to walk again. She continued by saying there were no medical treatments that would repair the injury caused to my spinal cord. One significant fall from a sled on a small hill in Big Bear, California changed my entire world. Read More
Chris C

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
Noa Maya C

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
Melanie C

My name is Melanie C. 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
Kevin C

My name is Kevin, when I was 26 I was working construction building a house when one day I slipped while carrying a sheet of plywood. Somehow the wood went up in the air and fell down on my head. The impact crushed my C5 vertebrae, resulting in complete paralysis. Read More
Kelley G

In July 2006, Kelley G, 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 H

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 J

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
Kristy J

While playing flag football at the University of West Georgia, another player fell on me and broke my neck. Read More
Fred K

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 P

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
Nicholas P

Nicholas had a series of mini strokes that affected both sides of his brain in 2009. His positive outlook and determination and continued therapy will help him reach his goals. Read More
Jawanis R

My name is Jawanis R, 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
Kamon R

In 2008 Kamon graduated from Stone Mountain High School in the top 10% of his class. He went from there to Southern Polytechnic University as a software engineer major. In his 5 semesters there he maintained a 3.5 GPA and a place on the Dean's List. Read More
Dr. Drew S

Hi, my name is Drew. 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
Ryan V

My name is Ryan V. 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
Josh V

Josh V, 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
Molly W

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
Barry S W

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