08/31/2026
HEY… we know her! You will remember your Third Annual UM-Flint Physical Therapy Department Solstice Scholarship winner Jax Keene (and her inspiration Cynthia) at the CRIM Michigan Mile the last three years… and they were back in action again last weekend! Jacqueline Keene shares her why…
“Growing up, I wanted to become a physical therapist because I wanted to help people. I wanted to give people the ability to get back to doing things they love. After learning more about the Solstice Scholarship, I knew it was EXACTLY what I needed to help more people.
I’ve volunteered at UM-Flint’s pro-bono clinic, HEART, where I’ve had the opportunity to work with people who have suffered from a stroke. People who have had a stroke can struggle to do tasks that most take for granted, like shoe shopping. For some of the people I’ve met at UM-Flint HEART, even shoe shopping is a task that seems impossible. Cynthia, a participant I work with every week, struggles not only to shop for shoes, but also to find shoes that work with her AFO. Unfortunately, Cynthia is not alone in this struggle. With the support of the Solstice Scholarship, I bought adaptable shoes from BILLY Footwear so that Cynthia and other participants can have a pair of shoes that enable them to get back to doing the things they love in the community. Thank you to the Solstice Foundation for helping make this possible, I am truly grateful.”
Jax presented a well thought out plan to our interview committee to use her $500 Solstice award winnings to buy Cynthia shoes, to support the shoe needs of others at HEART, and to register for the Michigan Mile walk with her inspiration Cynthia. Jax has completed the Michigan Mile at CRIM for years with family and now with Cynthia (again)!
We are beyond proud to support Jax, Cynthia, and University of Michigan-Flint DPT student leaders. Congratulations on your continued impact Jax!
Lift. Others. Up.