Triumph Foundation’s mission is to help individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries to triumph over their disability and to inspire them to keep moving forward with their lives by pushing themselves to get better every day.

Volunteers from the nonprofit Triumph Foundation are visiting a dozen hospitals and rehabilitation centers throughout Southern California in December to bring resources and a message of hope to patients with spinal cord injuries.

The foundation’s annual Christmas Care Basket Outreach began Dec. 1 and is set to continue through Dec. 22 at a variety of locations, including Long Beach VA Hospital, Northridge Hospital, St. Jude Medical Center and more.

Triumph is delivering 100 of its care baskets to individuals and families that are spending their holiday facing tragedy.

“Being in the hospital is never easy, but it is especially difficult for people that suffer a spinal cord injury during the holiday season,” said Andrew Skinner, Triumph Foundation’s founder who was also in the hospital during the holidays when he was injured during a snowboarding accident in November 2004. “I spent my Christmas in the hospital so it’s near and dear to my heart.”

The baskets are full of necessary information to help someone with their new beginning after injury, to enable them to live life to the fullest potential. In addition, Triumph Foundation includes gifts and goodies that will bring cheer to its recipients who are newly paralyzed.

The organization is requesting donations to support its efforts.

Triumph Foundation’s care baskets are like a toolkit to help someone rebuild their life after becoming paralyzed.

“There is no instruction manual on how to live life using a wheelchair,” said Kirsten Skinner, who was with her husband when he was injured and has stayed with him every step of the way. “When someone becomes paralyzed, their injury affects everyone around them; family, friends, loved ones, and the entire community.”

Skinner has made a remarkable recovery, and wants others with similar injuries to triumph like him.
“I have come so far from where I was initially,” he said. “Now, I am living the American dream, despite my physical impairment. I want to help others do the same.”

Triumph is seeking monetary donations to be sent to foundation officials at 17186 Hickory Ridge Court, Santa Clarita, CA 91387. In addition, the organization is collecting donations of cookies, treats, gift items, and other goods to include inside the baskets.

Contributions will ensure Skinner and Triumph Foundation officials can continue to provide critical support services needed in the spinal cord injury community. All donations are tax deductible.

About Triumph Foundation

Triumph Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) triumph over their disability and to inspire them to keep moving forward with their lives by pushing themselves to get better every day.

Services include giving people who are newly paralyzed care baskets which are filled with information and resources, providing grants to help obtain necessary equipment, supplies and services; assisting with home modifications for wheelchair accessibility; leading SCI support groups; and sponsoring wheelchair sports teams and adaptive recreational programs to support disabled athletes. Outreach and peer support is provided throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, Kern and San Diego Counties.
To date, the organization has touched the lives of more than 2,000 individuals with disabilities; given $80,000 in assistance to people with inadequate medical insurance; performed seven home and bathroom remodels; provided wheelchair accessible vehicles to people who did not have the means to purchase one on their own; handed out well over 700 care baskets to newly injured people; and regularly visits 15 area hospitals and rehabilitation centers throughout the Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, Kern and San Diego counties.