Don and Melba Rugg Adaptive Technology Lab

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A nonprofit fundraiser supporting

Craig Hospital Foundation

Please support the Don and Melba Rugg Adaptive Technology Lab to benefit patients at Craig Hospital

$5,025

raised by 5 people

$250,000 goal

Incentive Fund


Amount: $250000

Provided By: Mike and Jan Durham

Details: Long-time friend and fellow researcher Mike Durham and his wife Jan have agreed to match up to $250,000 in gifts given in Don and Melba's honor.

Summary


Craig Hospital is honoring Don Rugg and his wife Melba for the pioneering role that they played in early years of treating patients with spinal cord injuries. In 1954 Don was a recent engineering graduate from the University of Denver traveling to his first job at Bell Laboratories when his car was hit by another vehicle in eastern Colorado. Don suffered damage to his spinal cord that resulted in paralysis of both his arms and legs. At the time of his injury, many SCI patients suffered from frequent, severe complications due to pressure sores, the result of being bedridden or confined to a traditional wheelchair without frequent movement and weight shifts.

However, Don would not accept this fate, and rather than self-pity, he focused his energy on creating an innovative solution to his problem. Working with his friend Bill Orr, they invented and patented the power reclining wheelchair that prevented pressure sores in quadriplegics. This discovery was instrumental for the SCI rehabilitation program at Craig where patients would to be fitted for and learn to use this chair that would give thousands the independence they deserve. Don and Melba continued their association with Craig for several decades, sometimes as patient and often as source of inspiration and emotional support to new families facing the challenges of new spinal cord injuries.

A long-time friend and fellow researcher, Mike Durham and his wife Jan, have agreed to match up to $250,000 in gifts given in Don and Melba's honor for the Craig Hospital ROI Capital Campaign. This support will recognize the excellent work of Craig Hospital and honor Don and Melba's courage, strength and tremendous accomplishments.

This fundraiser supports

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Craig Hospital Foundation

Organized By Craig Hospital

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