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JuJu Smith-Schuster of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In late November of final yr, former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier launched the Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation to supply help and monetary assets for spinal wire damage (SCI) sufferers and their caregivers.
On Wednesday the fledgling fund acquired a lift from Steelers large receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who donated $5,000—a donation that was subsequently matched by the staff.
Steelers Social Justice Grant Program: Now in its Third Yr
The donations have been a part of the Steelers Social Justice Grant program, a player-led program that engages with varied organizations—together with legislation enforcement, charitable organizations and the army—to strengthen the neighborhood at massive.
“I’m actually grateful for this,” Shazier told Steelers.com. “It means so much. It lets the relationships you constructed whereas taking part in with guys—guys who’re from totally different backgrounds and totally different elements of the world, actually imply one thing. You’ve got relationships that transcend soccer.
The previous first-round draft choose—who suffered a career-ending spinal wire damage towards the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 4, 2017, one which left him quickly paralyzed from the waist down—is much more enthusiastic about what the cash means for SCI sufferers.
“I perceive how a lot help and care you want for these with spinal wire points,” added Shazier, who has been recognized to visit SCI patients. “Typically individuals don’t get the correct quantity of care or help or rehab they want. I began this to offer them extra help, the caregivers extra help and assist them get extra rehab.”
Ryan Shazier Had the Help of ‘The Complete Metropolis of Pittsburgh’
In that regard, Shazier considers himself fortunate. He had the assets to get the therapy he wanted, together with spinal stabilization surgical procedure, which he had two days after his damage.
He additionally had the help of his spouse and household—and an enormous prolonged household—who helped him persevere to the purpose the place he has long-since been capable of stroll unassisted.
“I had my entire household who got here up from Florida and my spouse’s household got here up from Texas, and I additionally had the entire metropolis of Pittsburgh, the NFL, and so many others supporting me with prayers,” Shazier told Heavy.com this past September, simply days earlier than he announced his retirement from the NFL.
However many SCI sufferers solely have sufficient protection for 30 rehabilitation classes, which in Shazier’s expertise, is completely insufficient. “That’s like attempting to show your child to stroll once more in 30 classes. That’s nearly unimaginable,” he says.
“We’re simply attempting to offer individuals extra rehab, alternatives, give individuals again a significant life-style,” he provides, earlier than noting that not everybody experiences an consequence as constructive as he skilled.
“Everybody will not be going to stroll once more however give them the chance to get again to some kind of independence. That’s what my basis is about, giving individuals again independence, letting them do issues on their very own and simply give them the chance to have help…. I needed to offer them a chance and allow them to know they aren’t alone.
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