EP 228 Breaking Down Physical and Societal Barriers for People Living with Disabilities

Anyone’s life can change in a split second from a catastrophic accident, stroke or other tragic event.

Our guest, Mark Raymond Jr., Founder of the Split Second Foundation, had his life change in a split second when he broke his neck after diving into shallow water while boating with friends in 2016.

The accident resulted in him becoming a C-5 quadriplegic. During Mark’s immediate recovery from his injury--inpatient and outpatient therapy--he learned that there are extreme gaps in the recovery process and few resources available to people after being discharged from therapy.

He founded Split Second Foundation in 2018 and dedicated it to making people aware of the growing but oftentimes invisible population of people with disabilities, advocating for their rights, funding cutting-edge research, and providing clear cut steps to immediately impact their lives.

Within three years of starting the foundation, Mark was able to open Split Second Fitness, which is the first inclusive gym in Louisiana with an intentional focus on people living with paralysis, amputation, or other neurological conditions.

Because the majority of people with severe disabilities cannot afford traditional fitness programs, the organization charges a $50 monthly membership fee, providing access to the facility and equipment as well as access to a physical specialist to assist them with weekly training.

To learn more about Mark's Foundation, please visit: https://www.splitsecondfoundation.org/

For details about the Show the Love Gala 2022, please visit: https://www.splitsecondfoundation.org/events

Connect with Mark and Split Second Foundation on these social channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/splitsecondfoundation and https://www.instagram.com/markraymondjr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/splitsecondfoundation
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-raymond-jr-45a61379/

Learn more about NOLA Street Renaming Commission here: https://nolaccsrc.org/
Learn more about ABLE Today here: https://www.abletoday.org/

A shout out to Propeller: http://gopropeller.org/

Thank you for carving out time to improve your Founder Game - when you do better, your business will do better - cheers!

Ande ♥
https://andelyons.com
#bestyoutubechannelforstartups #livingwithdisability #disabilitypride #disabililtyrights

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00:00 Meet Mark Raymond Jr
19:50 How Mark chose the name Split Second
25:00 Mark names first fundraiser Dependence Day to celebrate all those who are dependent on others for care and for help!
33:40 Mark envisions a world where we lean on community to create solutions for complex issues.
57:14 I don't measure success by money, I measure it by impact and how I make people feel.
57:28 I don't focus on What If... I focus on What's Next. Every day I wake up and focus on a problem that will help other people.


Ande ♥