By Matt Papiernik, @Matt_Papiernik on Twitter
SteelerNation.com
Monday, former Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl linebacker, Ryan Shazier announced on his Twitter that he and his team have launched the Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation.
I’m truly excited to announce the Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation. My team and I have been working behind the scenes to find ways to continue to push forward progress for the spinal cord community. One step at a time we will change how people view spinal injuries. pic.twitter.com/kpQtkx0KjB
— Ryan Shazier (@RyanShazier) November 23, 2020
Shazier himself has endured an extensive spinal cord rehabilitation process, as he has been recovering from a severe spinal injury he suffered during a Monday night game in Week 13 of the 2018 season against the Cincinnati Bengals. Shazier has made significant progress during his rehab, and now is attempting to help others who are fighting a battle similar to his.
When you visit the Ryan Shazier Fund website, you see the following quotation from Shazier on the homepage.
“I want to be there for people who are going through similar struggles. No matter who you are or what you’re going through, we’re all in life together. We need to take care of each other.”
The goal of Shazier's fund is to help people with spinal injuries have access to similar rehabilitation and support that he received. Shazier has stated in the past that the first 18-24 months are the most crucial part of recovery from a spinal injury, and that he had over 100 rehab sessions during that time.
Many people that do not share some of the same luxuries as professional athletes receive less than half that number of rehab sessions before insurance limitations come into play. With Shazier starting his own fund to help support people who endured an injury similar to himself, hopefully many more people will be able to reach the level of success he has so far in on his way to hopefully a full recovery.
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