Happy Thanksgiving from Kessler Foundation

November 19, 2021

 

All of us at Kessler Foundation wish you a healthy and happy Thanksgiving.

When you support Kessler Foundation, you champion rehabilitation research and employment for people with disabilities. You can change lives.

 

 

Many thanks and best wishes for a happy holiday season.

P.S. Remember that Tuesday, November 30, is #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving dedicated to making an impact in our community. Support Kessler Foundation by November 30 and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar—doubling your impact.

 

Expert Outlook: Teaching About Brain Injury Through Storytelling

November 18, 2021

By Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy & Public Affairs, Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey

Many people are not aware of brain injury, let alone able to empathize with a person impacted by it. This is why a person with brain injury, their loved ones and their healthcare team need to think of themselves as “teachers” of brain injury in order to advocate effectively. One element of this type of teaching is storytelling.

The use of storytelling is an effective way to communicate, illustrate and advocate. When one tells a personal story, facts are readily available and the flow of the communication is seamless. This conveys a sense of authenticity, sincerity and honesty that can lead to increased trust—a means to build constructive relationships that benefit the

10% OFF: Make a Difference With Your Holiday Shopping!

November 17, 2021

Skip the lines this Black Friday and give back this holiday season by shopping Kessler Foundation’s online store! Every purchase supports Kessler Foundation and drives positive change for people with disabilities. Use code GIVINGKESSLER at checkout for 10% off your purchase.

We believe abilities—not disabilities—are what matter. Make a purchase and show the world that you too believe abilities are what matter.

Shop Kessler Foundation's Online Store

Best wishes for good health and happiness throughout the holidays and always.

You Can Become a Champion

November 16, 2021

In one week, on Tuesday, November 30, Kessler Foundation will participate in #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving dedicated to making an impact in our community.

You have the power to change the future for people with disabilities like Alder Crocker. When you champion rehabilitation research and employment this #GivingTuesday, by making a gift you make a direct and profound impact on people with disabilities in need now.

Giving is easy. Visit our #GivingTuesday page, make a gift by November 30, and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar—and your impact will be doubled.

Your gift will make a difference. You will make a difference.

Got Crypto? Give to Kessler Foundation Not the IRS

November 15, 2021

2021 has been a year of impact at Kessler Foundation thanks to the support of donors like you. We are determined to continue our impact on #CryptoGivingTuesday, November 30.

We’ll join this global day of giving with our new ability to accept cryptocurrency. We accept not just Bitcoin, but over 40 different types of crypto.

There is also a tax advantage! Donating appreciated cryptocurrency is a great way to partially offset or eliminate your crypto taxes while supporting a cause that you care about. Donating crypto means you may end up paying no capital gains taxes on the appreciated crypto, get a fair market value deduction for what you donate and change the

This Veterans Day, Support, Heal, Inspire Our Heroes

November 11, 2021

On Veterans Day,  We are proud to share how to support Kessler Foundation helps veterans with disabilities—both visible and invisible—realize their dreams of career fulfillment, continued service to others, and independence.

With the support of our donors, Kessler Foundation is able to fund incredible organizations like the GI Go Fund to help create better job paths for veterans with disabilities and Dr. Glenn Wylie, director of the Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center, can study cognitive fatigue and the impact of Gulf War Illness on veterans

Watch Dr. Chiaravalloti on Lessons in Leadership

November 2, 2021

Kessler Foundation is proud to partner with Steve Adubato in Lessons in Leadership, a video podcast hosted by Steve and his co-host and executive producer, Mary Gamba.

In the latest episode, which aired this past Sunday on News12+, Steve and Mary continue their special series on “Research, Science, Innovation and Leadership” and Michelle Pignatello, vice president and chief development officer at Kessler Foundation, introduces Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, director of the

Rising Above Her Disabilities, One Advocate Boosts Anti-Bullying Message for National Stop Bullying Day

October 13, 2021 Activist Isabella Sementilli shares her message of kindness and how someone can be “One Tough Cookie.”

By Jessica Ganga

 

Isabella Sementilli’s life changed in an instant. At age 10, Isabella went from care-free days filled with tap dancing classes and tennis lessons to days taken up by doctors’ visits and MRIs. Her health and life were affected by a bully who yanked her chair out from under her. Today, she lives with New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH) and Occipital Neuralgia (ON) — debilitating headache disorders and invisible disabilities. But Isabella didn’t let the “unkind actions” of the bully get in her way.

Now, Isabella is an anti-bullying advocate and author, having written and illustrated her own book titled, The Short Story of One Tough

Learning about disability while contributing to spinal cord injury research

October 11, 2021

National Disability Employment Awareness Month takes place each October to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities to workplaces across the country. In recognition, Kessler Foundation shares the story of Jamil Williams, who recently marked his one-year anniversary as a Kessler Foundation employee.

 

 

Williams, who has lived with a spinal cord injury since 2002 — and doesn’t allow his injury to hold him back — joined Kessler Foundation in August 2020 as a research assistant in our Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research. Before becoming a Foundation employee, Williams joined in several Foundation studies as a participant. Now as an employee, he is helping conduct life-changing research for others with spinal cord injury —

One More Day to Collect Art and Change Lives!

October 6, 2021

Our virtual auction featuring the artwork of Alder Crocker is live for just ONE MORE DAY! Support Kessler Foundation before it is too late! Alder has generously donated one of his original paintings to support Kessler Foundation. Hatter’s Playground is valued at $3,500 and bids are currently at $550! Remember that 100% of support from this auction benefits the work we do and proves that abilities—not disabilities—are what matter.

ONE MORE DAY TO PLACE YOUR BID HERE AND SUPPORT KESSLER FOUNDATION!

 

 

Alder Crocker, a spinal cord and traumatic brain injury survivor, proves through

Art Auction Extended Through 10/7

September 30, 2021

Our virtual auction featuring the artwork of Alder Crocker HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH OCTOBER 7! Support Kessler Foundation today and add to your collection while you still can. Alder has generously donated one of his original paintings to support Kessler Foundation. Hatter’s Playground is valued at $3,500 and bids start at just $500! 100% of support from this auction benefits the work we do and proves that abilities—not disabilities—are what matter.

PLACE YOUR BID HERE AND SUPPORT KESSLER FOUNDATION TODAY!

Alder Crocker, a spinal cord and traumatic brain injury survivor, proves through

Thank You for an Amazing Hybrid Stroll 'N Roll!

September 27, 2021

Many thanks for a successful and special day! People of all ages and abilities gathered in Verona Park and their own neighborhoods on Sunday, September 26, 2021, for Kessler Foundation’s first-ever hybrid Stroll ‘N Roll. Together we proved that abilities are what matter.

With the generosity of champions like you, we raised $198,500 – and still counting – toward our goal of $200,000. Every dollar advances rehabilitation research and employment for people with disabilities.

Inspiring leaders created teams of champions to give back. We are incredibly proud to congratulate Cherie Giraud, who raised funds in memory of Matt and John Giraud, as our top fundraiser, and

Today’s the Day – Time to Stroll ‘N Roll!

September 24, 2021

The day has finally arrived: our best—and first—hybrid Stroll ‘N Roll!

If you haven't already, you can still register for Stroll 'N Roll today. Join us in Verona Park and make a gift of $25 or more to receive a Stroll ‘N Roll t-shirt!

Here are the details about today’s family-fun event:

Date and time: Sunday, September 26, from 10 am to 1 pm

Location: Verona Park in Verona, NJ or in your own neighborhood with your friends and family!

We’ve got a fun-filled day lined up with food trucks, music, magic, games, crafts, and a stroll or roll around Verona Park, or participate virtually.

Be

7 days left! Change Lives and Collect Art!

September 23, 2021

The virtual auction featuring the artwork of Alder Crocker is open now through September 30th – bid now while there is still time! Alder has generously donated one of his original paintings to Kessler Foundation and 100% of the support from this auction benefits Kessler Foundation and proves that abilities—not disabilities—are what matter.

VISIT OUR ONLINE AUCTION SITE HERE AND PLACE YOUR BID TODAY! ONLY 7 DAYS LEFT!

Alder Crocker, a spinal cord and traumatic brain injury survivor, proves through his paintings that abilities are what matter.

 

 

 

Resource Refresh: Taking Time for Ourselves and One Another – Lessons from the Pandemic

September 22, 2021

By Karen Tiseo

 

Six years ago, my husband John had a near-fatal motorcycle accident resulting in a severe traumatic brain injury. When the pandemic began, we realized the stress of isolation and fear of the virus affected our emotional and physical health. We used the time to nurture ourselves and reflect on our lives more deeply. My attitude about what is important to me has changed, and I have incorporated this new perspective into my life in the form of healthy daily habits.

One of my pre-pandemic habits was to drag chores that I don’t like doing into an all-day event. Now I am motivated to complete these tasks quickly. Spending less time on chores leaves me time to explore new hobbies like knitting or gardening. When I’m really having trouble getting