Our Experiences at the Reeve Summit 2024 in D.C.

We attended the fourth annual Reeve Summit, which took place March 6-8, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

Sonny takes a selfie in front of the capital building in Washington DC. Sonny has light skin, pulled back hair, and a bright lemon yellow blazer.

The goal of the Reeve Summit is to bring together professionals, thought leaders, and the entire paralysis community to discuss critical topics ranging from health care disparities to caregiving to cutting-edge research.

We got the chance to exhibit, participate, and connect with paralysis community members that have a close connection to our mission.

Take a look!

At the Help Hope Live booth at Reeve Summit 2024, which is decked out with teal and the tagline Trusted Medical Fundraising and covered with pens, bracelets, brochures, and materials, Sonny has light skin, golden hair past her shoulders, and a blue and white mosaic patterned dress.

“The theme for this year’s Reeve Summit was, Where Care, Cure and Community Connect,” explained Sonny, our Director of Outreach.

“The Reeve Summit brought together so many members of the paralysis community that it felt more like a reunion than a conference.”

Sonny with Help Hope Live client Ambassador Josh Basile at the Reeve Summit 2024. Sonny has light skin, straight sandy hair past her shoulders, and a denim jacket. Josh has light skin, short brown hair, rosy cheeks, brown eyes, and a black scarf and puffer jacket.

We met Help Hope Live clients and team members, board members, members of our extended community, and client Ambassadors like Josh Basile, pictured above.

Just after arriving, Sonny got the chance to meet client Noah Williams and his mother, Naomi.

Client Noah Williams and his mom are presenting at Reeve Summit 2024. Noah has brown skin and a bright yellow bandana over a forest green vest. He is seated in a black wheelchair gazing upward. His feet, in socks, point left and right. Mom Naomi has brown skin, a cream colored turtleneck dress, yellow cowboy boots, and a speech communication device on her lap. She grasps Noah's hand.

During opening keynote remarks, Noah was recognized as the youngest speaker at the 2024 Reeve Summit for his participation in presentations on outdoor adventures and caregiving.

“The Reeve Summit 2024 program was jam-packed with incredible information on everything from pregnancy with paralysis to accessible outdoor adventures,” said Sonny.

“The information left everyone feeling hopeful and truly connected to the possibility of a future that includes a cure for paralysis.”

At the Reeve Summit 2024, seated at a panel table, Dr. Robert Fuller has light skin, gray hair in a ponytail, glasses, and a navy suit. Two chairs away from him is Dani Izzie, Help Hope Live client Ambassador, who has light skin and shoulder-length brown hair. On a small presenter screen, a slide reads Let's talk...What were your greatest concerns about becoming pregnant? What resources did you find most helpful in learning about pregnancy and disability before becoming pregnant?

“The event’s programming was exceptional, featuring insightful discussions on a range of topics focused on the paralysis community, including disability representation in the US Census, pregnancy and spinal cord injury, federal and state policy, and a panel on gun violence and SCI,” reflected Kelley Simoneaux, a Help Hope Live board member, Hope Talk panelist, and perpetual advocate.

“The Summit was a source of invaluable insights and connections.”

Help Hope Live client Ambassador Julie Chambers is at Reeve Summit 2024 with four other individuals of various ages, genders, and skin colors who are fellow survivors of gun violence. Julie has brown skin, wavy shoulder-length brown hair with bangs, dazzling glasses, and hoop earrings, and she wears a teal Help Hope Live polo.

Client Ambassador and Hope Talk panelist Dani Izzie’s Reeve Summit experience included spending time in the unique space “where the professional and personal collide.”

After a day at the Reeve Summit, Dani shared a dinner with Sonny, Kelley, and Diego Mariscal, a mentee of Judy Heumann who most recently advocated for Census equity for the disability community.

“Sonny has impacted my life for years, bringing a robust fundraising platform to transplant recipients and those with catastrophic injuries. It was emotional to meet in-person this week for the first time,” explained Dani.

“You’ve impacted the world, and you’ve impacted me.”

Seated at lunch, Dani Izzie is with Kelley Simoneaux, Sonny Mullen from Help Hope Live, and Diego Mariscal following the Reeve Summit 2024. Dani is in her power chair and has light skin, shoulder-length brown hair, and a purple sweater. Kelley Simoneaux is seated in her wheelchair with light skin, wavy light brown hair, and a white top. Sonny has light skin, glasses, wavy brown hair, and a rust-colored collared shirt. Diego has light skin, a black suit, short brown hair, and glasses.

Julie Chambers, a client Ambassador, helped us share Help Hope Live’s trusted medical fundraising mission with Reeve Summit attendees.

“The Summit was full of networking, collaboration, education, and interaction with like-minded professionals and leaders,” Julie shared. “These collaborations will lead to new opportunities, sparking innovative thoughts and new friendships. Engaging with the latest research and case studies presented at the Reeve Summit deepened understanding of the complexities and challenges of the disability community.”

On the presenter stage at Reeve Summit 2024 are two women of color. The first is Imani Barbarin aka Crutches and Spice, who has brown skin, a black face mask, and a floral-printed dress. The second has brown skin, long black braids, a khaki colored jacket, and a prosthetic right leg.

As Julie explained, the Reeve Summit authentically reflects the values that make the Reeve Summit a cornerstone resources within the paralysis and disability communities: