U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Secure Three-Year Grant for National Paralysis Resource Center

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today applauded the Administration for Community Living (ACL) for awarding a three-year grant to the Reeve Foundation to continue supporting the national paralysis resource center (PRC). Senator Baldwin has been a champion of this program in the Senate and helped protect funding for PRC, which ensured that the Reeve Foundation could continue its important work on behalf of the millions of individuals and their families impacted by paralysis. The 2018 Wisconsin grantees are Lakes Health Center in Iron River, the Milwaukee Ballet and Independence First in Milwaukee.

“This federal grant will ensure that the Paralysis Resource Center can continue to provide essential services like peer support and information to improve the quality of life for the millions of Americans living with paralysis,” said Senator Baldwin. “I have long championed this bipartisan effort and am proud to continue my work to advance efforts that improve health and support independence for those living with disabilities in Wisconsin and across the country.”

"Since the PRC opened its doors in 2002, it has served as a free, comprehensive, national source of informational support for people living with paralysis and their caregivers," said Maggie Goldberg, Vice President, Policy and Programs, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. "Because of Senator Baldwin's steadfast support and leadership efforts to preserve and increase the PRC's funding, we can expand our life-saving resources to offer a continuum of critical care to the greater paralysis community. We are grateful to Senator Baldwin for being a champion on behalf of the paralysis community and striving to improve the quality of life of those living with paralysis."

The PRC is the only national program that directly serves the 5.4 million Americans living with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke, spina bifida, cerebral palsy and other forms of paralysis. The Reeve Foundation has operated the PRC for 16 years, competing in a rigorous, competitive bidding process every three-years for renewal of funding. During her time in the House of Representatives, Senator Baldwin authored the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, which improved federal support for paralysis research, rehabilitation, and quality of life programs for paralyzed and disabled Americans. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Baldwin continues to work to protect and increase funding for the PRC and other efforts to support independent living.