Our Impact

On November 9, 2024, Derrek’s life changed in an instant while riding his bike in the Angeles Forest. As a car made a left turn without seeing him, Derrek was forced off the road while traveling downhill at high speed. The crash resulted in multiple serious injuries, including broken ribs, a fractured left scapula, and a concussion that lasted several weeks. Most significantly, he sustained a T7 incomplete spinal cord injury, leaving him paralyzed from the navel down.

Now a full-time wheelchair user, Derrek is navigating a new reality with determination and focus. He approaches his recovery with the mindset of an athlete, committing himself to intensive rehabilitation every day. His goal is clear: to walk again, no matter how long it takes.

As a new wheelchair user, the physical demands of daily mobility have placed significant strain on his upper body. Protecting his shoulders and preventing long-term wear and tear has become essential to sustaining both his independence and his recovery.

Through the Cal Rehab Foundation’s Enabling Independence Program, Derrek received a Scout mobility device, designed to provide power-assisted movement and reduce the physical burden of constant pushing.

The Scout allows Derrek to move more efficiently, conserve energy, and protect his body as he continues his rigorous rehabilitation journey. It gives him greater freedom to navigate his community while supporting his long-term health and mobility goals.

“This device helps take stress off my body so I can focus on recovery and getting stronger every day.”

For Derrek, this is more than mobility support. It is an investment in his future, his independence, and his determination to keep moving forward.

Your support makes stories like Derrek’s possible.

Donate Today to help provide life-changing mobility solutions for individuals rebuilding their lives after injury.

Learn more about our Enabling Independence Program.