Helping a Hero Inspire Others
In the fall of 1997, Mario was playing football
for Millington Central High School when he sustained a spinal cord injury which
left him paralyzed and in a wheelchair. He was 15 years old, yet the experience
left him undefeated in life. After his hospitalization, Mario joined the
Family Support program in 2005 which has provided him with a ramp into his
home, a pivot lift, personal assistance and home maker services, funding for
transportation, and respite care for his mother, his primary caretaker.
The program also modified his bathroom, shower
and van to it wheelchair accessible and adapted the controls of the van so he
can take himself to doctor’s appointments, the gym for therapy and work outs.
“The
program has been a blessing to me over the years; it changes people’s lives.”
Mario has been on a mission to share his
blessings in life. He formed an organization for youth with after school
programs, is a volunteer coach for the Grandview Heights Middle School football
and track teams, a mentor at Youth Villages, a real estate investor,
motivational speaker and had a book written about his life called Brothers: The
Mario Reed Story.
“Mario has come a long way,” says Family Support
Coordinator Michelle Harris. “He inspires others. I’m glad we have
been there to help him on his journey to becoming a life coach for others.”
The
Family Support program assisted 400 families during the fiscal year, held its
first Carrabbas Restaurant fundraiser, hosted several local and state council
meetings, participated in networking events and fairs and increased its
presence in the media through interviews on radio and television, newspaper
advertisements and a newsletter which reaches 1,500 people.
Back to Family Support