Hope Talk: Life is Better Active

Have you wondered about how to become more active after a spinal cord injury, but weren’t sure how or where to start?

Join us Monday, November 17 at 4p.m. ET, to learn more about the importance of staying active after a spinal cord injury. We will be joined by Megan L’Esperance and Amy Rixon, from the Kelly Brush Foundation, Dianne Vitkus, Help Hope Live Ambassador and part of the Kelly Brush Foundation Active Project, and Andy Zimmer, Help Hope Live.

They will be discussing how the Kelly Brush Foundation can help you stay active, the grants they have available, programs they offer, and their Active Project. Dianne and Andy will also be sharing how they personally stay active after spinal cord injury.

Meet Our Panelists

Megan L’Esperance: Megan is the Partner & Content Manager at the Kelly Brush Foundation, where she focuses on the Active Project. She is dedicated to creating community, introducing sport to others, and helping individuals find activities they enjoy. With a background in Recreational Therapy, Megan is passionate about supporting people in leading active and meaningful lives.

Amy Rixon: Amy joined the Kelly Brush Foundation as the Program Manager in May of 2023 and is in charge of all the grant admin at KBF. Amy is an Occupational Therapist and loves helping people find meaningful ways to feel like their full, complete selves. Amy collects hobbies and likes skiing, reading, doing yoga, exploring coffee shops, searching for the world’s best sandwich, downhill mountain biking, and laughing at her own jokes the most.

Dianne Vitkus: Dianne is the Resource Program Manager at the Spaulding Travis Roy Center. She also works with the Kelly Brush Foundation Active Project and is a Help Hope Live Ambassador. Dianne is incredibly determined and a fiercely independent person, and after her spinal cord injury, she dedicated herself to maintaining that independence through perseverance and hard work. Staying active and involved in adaptive sports is a cornerstone of her life and well-being. Beyond the physical benefits, these activities provide Dianne with a sense of freedom, connection, and purpose.

Andy Zimmer: Andy is the newest member of the Help Hope Live team. He will be taking the lead on our spinal cord injury outreach by building on the relationships we have with our current partners and working to bring new organizations and individuals into the HHL ecosystem. He has been part of the SCI community for over 20 years, which should bring a great perspective to his role, and has been very active in the adaptive sports world.