The founder of 2LIV4 knows firsthand what it is to face physical and cognitive challenges. Greg Cooley was a red-headed, freckle-faced 13-year-old who did backflips and captured tadpoles with his bare hands at every water hole in the neighborhood until a car accident sheared his brain stem and caused a basal skull fracture. He spent several months in a coma, followed by rehab to relearn the most basic skills, like how to breathe, crawl, eat, walk, and even talk again. Through support, courage, resilience, and fortitude, Greg graduated from Metropolitan State University in Denver and went on to have a 20-year career in the oil and gas industry.
Despite his disabilities, he continues to live life to the fullest and feels like he always as something 2LIV4. His adventures have included skiing, skydiving, scuba diving, rock climbing, and kayaking. He is dedicated to helping others with physical and cognitive challenges live life to the fullest, not just to survive but to thrive and find their 2LIV4s.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit empowering people in the disability community to discover their something 2LIV4 by providing scholarships for adaptive adventures and equipment and by sharing impactful stories and resources.
In 2019, 10.5% of Colorado’s population–about 600,300 people–reported a disability, according to the American Community Survey. Moreover, in Colorado — as across the nation — having a disability puts someone at greater risk for other health and safety issues. For example, according to the CDC, adults with disabilities report frequent mental distress almost five times as often as adults without disabilities. People with disabilities are at greater risk for abuse, violence and harm than people without disabilities (CDC). And in health emergencies, such as fires, floods and acts of terrorism, people with disabilities may have additional challenges in evacuating and/or sheltering in place (CDC).
Moreover, having a disability often impacts a person’s social determinants of health significantly. For example, a 2016 NIH study of adults who acquired a disability found that both those who experienced a disability, and those closest to them, experienced a decline in income and increase in expenses that negatively impacted their housing, transportation, social interactions, and personal relationships. Colorado data corroborates this finding, according to the American Community Survey. For example, in 2019, people with disabilities in Colorado were only half as likely to obtain a bachelor’s degree as those without disabilities (22.1% vs 44.4%). People with disabilities were also about half as likely to be employed as people without disabilities (47.9% vs 83.2%). And, not surprisingly, the poverty rate for people with disabilities in Colorado was almost three times that of people without disabilities (20.6% vs. 7.7%).
In short, people with disabilities suffer both increased expenses and declining income that further limits their ability to have the kinds of experiences that might lift their spirits, help them connect with others, and help them connect with nature — exactly at the time that meaningful experiences and connections with others might matter the most. Our mission at 2LIV4 is to help people with disabilities overcome the barriers to experiencing outdoor adventures. We believe the opportunity to have these outdoor adventures will contribute positively, and in a meaningful way, to their mental and physical well-being, as well as that of their families.
Organization name
2LIV4
2017
Tax id (EIN)
82-3851795
Category
Human Services, Public & Societal Benefit, Recreation & Sports
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
101 University Suite 370CO, US