Not Just Survivorship.
Thrivership!
Who Says I Can’t is a nonprofit that empowers young adults with physical disabilities, amputations, and paralysis, to become involved with active sports.
Jothy Rosenberg, Founder of the Who Says I Can’t Foundation
It’s no longer about simply surviving the illness or accident. WSICF wants those living with disabilities to have the self esteem and confidence to ask the question, “Who Says I Can’t” thrive?
When people experience illnesses and accidents that result in long-term physical disabilities, the goal is always to survive. But what happens after you survive? What happens when you leave the hospital? What if walking is just not enough? Will the insurance company buy you a sitski, a hand cycle, a running leg, a waterproof surfing leg? That is where The Who Says I Can’t Foundation steps in to help.
The Who Says I Can’t Foundation (WSICF) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), charity addressing the psychological and physical impacts of having a disability by focusing on the restoration of self-esteem. WSICF believes that the key to self-esteem for someone with a disability is success at a high challenge activity. We fill the niche left behind by insurance companies who cover just the restoration of basic function (e.g. walking) but will not help support re-entry to a sport.
That is where we come in. We provide the equipment and coaching on how to succeed and gain independence at your chosen sport. In addition, WSICF provides one on one case management in order to help coordinate and support participants in accessing appropriate clinical and/or support services to maintain their mental health needs and to ensure positive emotional health and recovery.
The amazing kids we help live incredible journeys.
Emma was born without a tibia in her right leg which made that leg nonfunctional. Her first surgery was a reconstructive procedure that triggers the muscle in her quadricep to fire up and support her half patella.
Once healed, Emma got a simple baby’s prosthesis. She didn’t like her prosthesis much and became the most amazing hopper you have ever seen. Now we have provided her with a running prosthesis which she loves and she is also becoming an amazing runner.
Anthony Mandra
A Special Olympics qualifier in snowboarding, Anthony Mandra never gives up. After an accident that left Anthony with an amputation below his knee, we helped Anthony get a new special snowboarding foot, the one prescribed by his coaches at the Paralympic Training Center.
Maya Oberstein
Maya started gymnastics when she was three or four years old. At nine years old she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and lost her leg. WSIC helped Maya and her family get a prosthesis for her leg so she could continue gymnastics.
McKinley Fay
McKinley received a diagnosis of spastic quadriplegia, a form of cerebral palsy. The consequence is that McKinley has very limited control over her body, as well as her ability to produce speech. The Who Says I Can’t Foundation enabled McKinley to receive her own Enabling Technologies Bi-Unique Bi-Ski.
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Proceeds go to the Foundation
