In 2016, Mark Raymond learned the hard way that life can change in an instant.
A New Orleans, Louisiana man was on a boat with a friend when he jumped over the stern and hit a sandbar, shattering the C5 vertebra in his neck. He had his body paralyzed and spent months in the hospital restoring his strength. When he left the hospital, he found the hard work had just begun.
After Mark finished outpatient treatment, he realized there was a serious lack of accessible gyms in his community. There were no gyms or facilities to help people of all abilities exercise and improve their health and well-being.
A lack of resources spurred Mark into action. Knowing first-hand that anyone’s life can change in an instant from a catastrophic accident, stroke, or other disability, he wanted to create a way to bring fitness and education to those who need it most. I was.
In 2018, Mark founded the Split Second Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides outpatient care to pick up where it left off. This accessible gym offers restorative, educational, and ongoing fitness classes for patrons with all levels of disability, with specially trained therapists.
To date, more than 120 people have benefited from our support services.
Mark hopes the Split Second Foundation will provide more access to fitness and recovery services.
“Split Second Fitness has equipment for a variety of people with disabilities, wheelchair users and people with prosthetic legs,” explains Mark Raymond. “We have staff who really understand these needs and know how to work with those individuals. A loving part of a community that understands and can empower them to be their best selves in a recovery-oriented fitness environment.”
Mark’s goal is to open more accessible gyms, not just in New Orleans. thinking about.
“People with disabilities should not be disregarded as productive members of society,” he said. “Anyone’s life can change in an instant from some kind of accident or injury or disability. We are providing what happens next.”
When Mark couldn’t find the service he needed, he built some for himself and built others! Ingenuity.
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