We caught up with the brilliant and insightful David Bishop a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, David thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I suffered a spinal cord injury in May of 2016. Nothing prepares you for that. After weeks in ICU and then months in an acute rehabilitation hospital it was time to go home. At that point there was so much that I needed, but being overwhelmed I didn’t truly comprehend everything that I would really need.
Traumatic spinal cord injuries place a huge financial burden on individuals and their families. These costs can vary with level of injury. For a C4 quadriplegic like myself, the costs are estimated to be over $1,000,000 first year and can run as high as $200,000 for each year after, yet the costs are extremely high for anyone with paralysis.
Once leaving the hospital there are home modifications, handicapped vehicles, and special adaptive devices that need to be purchased. Many of these items are not covered by insurance.
Adaptive equipment is very expensive but is necessary to remain active to avoid secondary complications. Benefits to remaining active are improved cardiovascular health, decrease muscle spasms, increased bone density, and overall better physical and mental health.
My goal in starting my own nonprofit is to motivate others like myself to keep going and never give up. My foundation will help others living with paralysis to gain access to the equipment they need to keep moving, live a healthy lifestyle and work towards independence

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

On May 29, 2016, I broke my neck at the age of 21 while diving into the shallow water of Noquochoke Lake in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. I fractured my C4, C5 and C6 vertebrae and suffered a complete spinal cord injury, paralyzing me from the shoulders down. Doctors told me there was little chance of recovery although due to consistent exercise I continue to get stronger each and every day. Prior to my injury, I was an athlete involved in many sports since a young age and focused on baseball in high school and college. It is the drive and determination that I exhibited as an athlete that has motivated me to work harder than ever at recovery to beat paralysis. Injured prior to my senior year in college, I put my education on hold to focus all of my energy into rehabilitation. I continue to work 3 days a week in a specialized gym and 4 days a week with my adaptive equipment at home. I returned to college and earned my bachelor’s degree, graduating in 2021. Since my accident I have had the support of many, including family and friends and even complete strangers. Fundraising has been essential in helping me on the journey to where I am today. For that I am truly grateful and this gratitude has inspired me to start the Bishstrong Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as a way to encourage others like me to make every day count.

My foundation provides grants to lessen the financial burden and to help them obtain the adaptive equipment necessary to stay active and keep moving forward.
After numerous fundraisers, we are excited to be able to award our first set of grants in August 2024.

Our Mission statement:
The Bishstrong Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization which aims to inspire and encourage individuals with spinal cord injuries or those living with paralysis to remain active. Our foundation will provide resources aimed at helping individuals to become more independent and lead healthy fulfilling lifestyles. Through fundraising we will provide financial assistance grants up to $5,000.00 to qualified individuals to assist in the purchase of adaptive equipment.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As a lifelong athlete I know what it means to work hard in order to achieve my goals. I have always been active in the gym and on the field. When tragedy struck in May 2016 it felt like everything was taken from me. Doctors told me there was little to no chance of recovering any function This was not something I was willing to accept and my response was “Watch Me.” Throughout my recovery I set goals and worked harder than ever in acute rehabilitation and continue to work 3 days a week in an intensive therapy program at a gym for those with spinal cord injuries. When I am not in the gym, I am exercising daily at home on the adaptive equipment I purchased to keep me moving. My mantra has always been, and continues to be Make Every Day Count.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I was inspired to help others because of the amount of support that was given to me after my accident. Life is not easy living with paralysis, there are challenges that arise daily. Being paralyzed also places a huge financial burden on the individual so the idea to start my own nonprofit to pay it forward and help others was always in the back of my mind. Bishstrong Foundation was incorporated in April 2023 and received 501(c)(3) status in September 2023. Fundraising is our sole source of revenue at this point. We have raised money by holding an annual dinner at a local restaurant, a comedy show, raffles, donations and this summer we have a team running and raising money in the prestigious Falmouth Road Race. Our members are comprised of volunteers so we have no payroll to date.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bishstrongfoundation.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bishstrongfoundation/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=bishstrong%20foundation
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bishstrong-foundation-inc

Image Credits

Kyle Silva Photography