People with spinal cord injuries often have support for the essentials. What's harder to find is support for the rest of life. Here are some of the gaps we see, and how we hope to help.
Meals
Cooking is one of the daily activities people most often lose after a spinal cord injury, and food insecurity is more common too. Without help in the kitchen, it's hard to eat the kinds of meals that support long-term health.
Loneliness
Isolation often shows up at the table. Eating alone, night after night, wears on anyone. Short, scheduled support visits rarely leave time for conversation, let alone friendship.
Getting out
Concerts, trails, farmers markets, coffee with friends: these things take planning and often a second set of hands. Without a companion, many people simply stay home.
School
For a college student with a spinal cord injury, getting up, getting to class, and making meals can take more support than a campus provides. Without reliable daily help, finishing a degree can feel out of reach.
How we hope to help
Amicitia Reciproca isn't a care service, and our volunteers won't replace the paid caregivers and family members people already rely on. We plan to add something different: friendship. Our volunteers will cook, explore, and share everyday life with the people they're matched with, and both friends will grow from it.
Know someone who could benefit, or someone who would make a great volunteer? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us.
