Resources for Spinal Cord Injury Support

Living with a spinal cord injury often means navigating a maze of funding sources, applications, and eligibility rules, especially when insurance doesn’t cover what you actually need. This resource guide brings together trusted programs that help pay for equipment, home and vehicle modifications, and long-term support, with Georgia-based options listed first. Many people successfully combine more than one resource to meet their needs.

• Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission (BSITF)
  Best for: Direct funding for home modifications and medical equipment
  
  How to Apply: Visit bsitf.georgia.gov. Applicants must be Georgia residents with a traumatic spinal cord or brain injury. You’ll submit a formal application along with medical documentation and quotes for the equipment or modification you’re requesting.
  
  

  Pro Tip:This is often the first place to apply in Georgia. BSITF is designed to fill gaps when insurance falls short, ramps, lifts, shower modifications, wheelchairs, and more.

• Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)
  Best for: Employment-related modifications (accessible vans, home offices, workplace access)
  
  How to Apply:
  Find your local office at gvra.georgia.gov. You must be an active Vocational Rehabilitation client. Tell your counselor how a specific modification (such as a van lift or ramp) is a barrier to your employment or Independent Living goal.
  
  

  What to Expect:GVRA often requires an Assistive Technology Evaluation, which they will schedule as part of your case.

• FODAC (Friends of Disabled Adults and Children)
  Best for: Fast access to low-cost or refurbished equipment
  
  How to Apply:
  Visit fodac.org or their headquarters in Tucker, GA. Many items require a prescription or medical request form from a doctor or therapist, especially higher-end equipment like wheelchairs or medical beds.
  
  

  Why It Matters:FODAC is invaluable when you need equipment quickly or can’t wait through long approval timelines.

• Credit-Able (Alternative Financing)
  
  Best for: Low-interest loans for expensive items like accessible vans or lifts
  
  How to Apply:
  Apply through the Center for Financial Independence and Innovation at thecfii.org. This is a loan program (not a grant), but interest rates are significantly lower than traditional bank loans for disability-related purchases.

National Resources

• Kelly Brush Foundation – The Active Fund
  Best for: Adaptive sports and recreation equipment
  
  How to Apply:
  Applications open twice a year (typically Spring and Fall) at kellybrushfoundation.org.
  
  

  Requirements:You must have a spinal cord injury. Applications require two vendor quotes and a peer recommendation.
  
  

• The Kyle Pease Foundation
  Best for: Specialized adaptive sports equipment and quality-of-life accessibility items
  
  How to Apply: Apply online during their annual application window (typically opening in June) at kylepeasefoundation.org/grants.
  
  

  Requirements: Applicants must provide documentation of their disability and use the funds strictly for equipment or services that improve accessibility and quality of living. They offer highly substantial, life-changing awards (like the Jake Vinson Family Grant and the Lucye Caplan Broken Wheel Award) specifically aimed at enhancing independence through sports and beyond.

• Help Hope Live
  Best for: Community fundraising for major home or vehicle expenses
  How to Apply:
  Start a campaign at helphopelive.org.
  Why This Is Different:
  Help Hope Live is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible and funds do not count against Medicaid or SSI asset limits, unlike most crowdfunding platforms.

• Triumph Foundation – Keep Moving Forward Grants
  Best for: Community re-entry support after injury
  How to Apply:
  Visit triumph-foundation.org. The foundation focuses on helping people rebuild life after injury, often through small grants or exchanged equipment.

• Travis Roy Foundation
  Best for: Wheelchairs, home, and vehicle modifications
  How to Apply:
  Apply through travisroyfoundation.org. Grants are typically need-based and focused on improving independence and quality of life.