Natalie Barnhard, from Buffalo, NY, is the 2021 recipient of the Finn Bullers Advocate of the Year Award at this year’s United Spinal Association Roll on Capitol Hill event. Natalie is the chapter leader of the Western New York Chapter of United Spinal, and she has been a wheelchair user for 16 years after she sustained a spinal cord injury while at work as a physical therapy assistant (PTA). Talking to me on the the Advocacy Network Live Stream this month, she told me how extremely hard it was for her to not be able to use her hands and continue her career as a PTA after her injury. During her recovery process she set a personal goal to help others with spinal cord injuries and to raise awareness in the Buffalo and surrounding areas.
Through her hard work and dedication Natalie became the president and founder of Motion Project Foundation, and the grand opening of the Natalie Barnhard Center for Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation and Recovery will be taking place this September. For Natalie, it is a dream come true after experiencing first-hand how difficult it can be for anyone with a spinal cord injury to find much needed critical items such as intense rehabilitation therapy, or modifications and other equipment that is needed after an injury such as hers. Her own experiences motivated her to start the Motion Project Foundation with a mission that states that, “Motion Project inspires those with spinal cord injuries to rise above their challenges by promoting physical independence; and providing emotional support and spiritual healing to foster hope for a successful and fulfilling life.” Natalie’s recovery center is not like a general rehabilitation facility. She describes her facility as a place where you will find a program that works to support the whole person. So, this does not only include intense, activity-based exercise programs, but clients will also be assisted with advocacy, care navigation, and spiritual healing. She emphasizes that Motion Project is not strictly focused on physical gains. She truly believes in the importance of helping people in the SCI community to get back to work, to school, into sports, and to help them pursue their dreams.
All of us at the United Spinal Association are extremely excited and proud to present Natalie with this award. Her tireless advocacy and commitment to the SCI community is a true testament to how a dream becomes a goal, and after years of unwavering dedication turns that goal into reality. You can learn more about the Motion Project Foundation, and the Natalie Barnhard Center for Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation and Recovery at https://www.motionprojectny.org
Visit here to visit the Roll on Capitol Hill press release and reception video
(View at 38 minutes in to see Natalie)
