In the blink of an eye…
With frightening speed and finality, 12,000 Americans each year are paralyzed by spinal cord injuries – one every 45 minutes. But too often the loss is far greater than the use of limbs. For many the accident that severed their spinal cord will ultimately separate them from the full and productive life they wish to lead. We can’t yet reverse the damage done to a broken spin
e. But we can keep that injury from robbing the victim of a full and rewarding life. Shoot for the Future is dedicated to the promise of fulfillment for those with spinal cord injuries. Almost two-thirds of all spinal cord injuries happen to young adults. At just the moment when they are completing their education and establishing themselves in their careers, everything is turned upside down. The surprising result is that almost 70% of these young people are unemployed… Not because they are unable to work but because their career training does not match their current capabilities. Shoot for the Future has a simple goal. Help as many of these injured young people as possible to complete or continue their education and put themselves back on track for a full, rewarding, independent and productive work life. Getting it Done…
Since 2005, Shoot for the Future has brought together able-bodied and injured teams to compete in a day of sporting clays at the Nashville Gun Club. In that short time the event has grown to attract spinal cord injured shooters from 15 states. For those who were hunters and shooters before their injuries, they joyfully returned to the sport. But many others challenged themselves to try something they had never done before. The day builds confidence, camaraderie and understanding as the able-bodied learn when and how to help their chaired teammates and when to watch and admire. And for the injured, the experience is a step in re- integration, in new confidence and in setting their sights on things they may have felt were beyond their reach when the day began. And at the end of the day, through the generosity of sponsors, volunteers and participants, Shoot for the Future is able to build a fund for scholarships and career training. Through a partnership with the Tennessee Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, we will help to channel those scholarships to the most deserving recipients. Shoot For the Future is a 501c3 not for profit organization.
