The Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation is the brainchild of former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Ryan Shazier, whose life-altering spinal cord injury (SCI) opened his eyes to a vulnerable community and the systemic barriers SCI patients face in their road to recovery. Spinal cord rehabilitation is expensive, painful and exhausting for patients and their caregivers. During his recovery process, Ryan had the opportunity to meet SCI patients, caregivers and families, many of whom opened up to him about their mental, physical and emotional struggles. Through countless stories, Ryan soon realized a reoccurring theme: there’s a tremendous need when it comes to funding, resources and support for the SCI community. Ryan started the foundation with one overall goal in mind: to ensure all SCI patients have the same support and fighting chance as Ryan to live independent and meaningful lives, no matter their socioeconomic status.