We are proud to share that we are teaming up with Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago to help support stroke and heart survivors, and their families, on their comeback journeys.

“Through our work with Tedy’s Team, we have had the pleasure of meeting many incredible survivors, caregivers and their families,” said Heidi Bruschi, Co-Founder of Tedy’s Team. “Hearing about their different experiences has helped us to better understand where we need to focus our support. Our new relationship with Shirley Ryan AbilityLab will be a great way to provide the necessary support that many survivors and caregivers need to work towards their comebacks.”

Since our Comeback Assistance Program (CAP) was created in 2018, we have heard from hundreds of stroke and heart survivors and their caregivers about the need for more resources, peer mentoring, housing requests, aphasia programs, and more. While CAP is unfortunately not equipped to fund every individual need, we know that helping to fund a successful, existing program, is a step in the right direction to supporting as many stroke and heart survivors as we can.

“Shirley Ryan AbilityLab has made an incredible impact in physical medicine and rehabilitation for both adults and children, which made this an easy decision for us,” explained Tedy Bruschi, Co-Founder of Tedy’s Team. “Our goals and passions align well with their team, and this partnership gives us the opportunity to impact the lives of many more stroke and heart survivors across the country.”

Through our donation, Tedy’s Team will be supporting the below Shirley Ryan AbilityLab programs:

PATIENT AND FAMILY EDUCATION

Experiencing a stroke can require a sudden need to understand a broad array of information within a short period of time. Through the Henry B. Betts, MD, LIFE Center, patients, families, and caregivers can access free resources to help them with educational support, including:

• One-on-one and group stroke education sessions, including kid-friendly sessions
• Peer mentoring with former patients and stroke survivors who introduce the possibilities of post-rehabilitation success
• Access to peer-reviewed information on medical care, wellness, employment, transportation, housing and more

PATIENT AND FAMILY HOUSING

Many stroke and heart patients who travel long distances for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s care often face practical challenges, such as finding temporary housing that is convenient, accessible and affordable. The Patient & Family Housing program offers qualifying patients and families with accommodations near the hospital, so that they can enjoy the comforts of home while they receive treatment. This helps to remove a significant financial barrier and source of stress while keeping families together, focused on recovery.

CHARITY CARE FUND

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab provides direct financial assistance to patients in need through their Charity Care Fund. Charity Care enables patients to receive the most comprehensive rehabilitation care possible, despite individual financial circumstances. Through its support, the Charity Care Fund gives these adult and pediatric patients access to the complete range of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s services, including inpatient, outpatient and day rehabilitation.

**A portion of our donation to the Charity Care Fund will be directed towards expanding access by underwriting the cost of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program within its Center for Aphasia Research and Treatment. Despite its value, the Center’s evidence-based, pioneering programs are not covered by insurance.

“Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is proud to be a global destination for those recovering from stroke and other severe, complex conditions — offering the best care and applying the latest research to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes,” said Laura Ferrio, Chief Operating Officer. “This generous gift from Tedy’s Team will support our patients and their families at every stage of the stroke rehabilitation journey. We are grateful for Tedy’s Team’s investment in our mission and for its commitment to helping people reach their goals and get back to where they want to be following a stroke.”

Visit their website to learn more about Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

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