CRAIG INSIDER THE
Exploring the Benefits of Rock Climbing at Craig
In the fall of 2018, Mike Neu and his family traveled to Moab, Utah, for a vacation. It was here that Mike crashed while he was mountain biking, flipping over his handlebars and breaking his neck.
Airlifted to a hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, Mike underwent a spinal fusion of his C6 and C7 vertebrae. After recovering from surgery, Mike was desperate to return home to Milwaukee. “I kept being told that I needed to rehab at Craig before heading back home, so I finally listened and transferred to Craig, where I stayed for the next 4½ months. It was the best decision I ever made.”
DETERMINED TO RECOVER
A competitive athlete, Mike was motivated to regain movement and return to the activities he loved. While at Craig, he worked tirelessly in physical and
occupational therapy. He also took advantage of Craig’s donor-supported therapeutic recreation program, participating in adaptive biking, crosscountry skiing and scuba diving.
Thinking back on his time in Colorado, Mike says Craig saved his life. “I remember wondering if I’d ever be able to return to my life as a global traveler — and then I met Eric Hjeltnes in Craig’s Peer Mentor program. He introduced me to other Craig grads who were thriving. Meeting them and hearing their stories convinced me that I, too, could get my life back. I realized that my old life might not look exactly the same, but I had so much to be thankful for.”
He adds, “And it was this gratitude for everything Craig gave me — as well as my love of sports — that inspired me to participate in the hospital’s rock climbing research study.”
CLIMB
The physical, social and mental benefits of rock climbing are well known.
Not only does climbing improve strength, dexterity, coordination, balance, flexibility and cardiorespiratory fitness, but it also enhances selfconfidence and problem solving. In addition, climbing builds community and trust in others, improves mindfulness, reduces stress and helps individuals overcome fear.
“We know from the patients who attend our programs that climbing has therapeutic potential to improve outcomes after a spinal cord injury (SCI) or acquired brain injury (ABI),” explains Kelsey Smith, a recreational therapist at Craig. “But there is little research on adaptive climbing as a recreational therapy or the benefits it can have after an injury.
So Kelsey — alongside members of the research department at Craig — set out to explore the benefits from a single adaptive climbing session.
“We developed a pilot study titled ‘Is Rock Climbing a Useful Recreational Therapy for Individuals with SCI and ABI?’” she says. “We wanted to understand the impact of rock climbing on a person’s well-being and their satisfaction with climbing as a recreational therapy activity post-injury. We were able to use this study to collaborate with our community partner, Adaptive Adventures, as well as a local rock climbing gym.”
The donor-supported study involved 31 Craig patients and grads over the course of one year. Of the 31 patients, 17 individuals had a spinal cord injury and 14 had a brain injury.
After participants consented to the study, they completed questionnaires given both pre- and postclimb. The surveys measured mood, self-esteem, self-reported fitness and program satisfaction. Additionally, participants were asked about the physical, mental and social impacts of their climbing experience.
“Study results showed that participants felt stronger and had more confidence in their abilities, as well as increased mental clarity and self-esteem after a single rock climbing session,” Kelsey says. “And these results may lead to improved social, emotional, cognitive and functional outcomes.”
She adds, “The overwhelming reports of social benefits indicate the importance of hosting adaptive community events for individuals with SCI and ABI. Rehab programs could consider implementing
adaptive climbing into their inpatient and outpatient programs to increase socialization and feelings of self-efficacy, support, and connectedness.”
According to one study participant, “Connecting with other wheelchair users who inherently understand the struggles of this level of disability — while trying something new, actually getting to the top of the wall and seeing others do the same — really inspired me and reminded me that we can do anything.”
For Mike, who mainly uses hand crutches to walk, the experience was extremely inspiring.
“My disability allows me to push up, so I could actually climb on my own. While it was challenging and I was slow, I was able to do it! The experience gave me the confidence to try it again with my son, who is a rock climber. This provides me with another athletic activity I can participate in with my family. And it’s just one more thing that Craig has given me.”
This research will be shared in the greater community via publication in academic journals, presentations at professional conferences, and through collaboration with Craig Hospital and community partners.
Sophie Strong: Working Hard To Recover and Get Back to Life
In the middle of Craig’s campus sits a bright and colorful rock garden created to bring comfort and healing.
“We wanted to develop something lasting in Sophie’s honor,” explains Stacey Nolan, Sophie’s mother.
“What began as one rock painted by a visiting friend turned into a collection of painted rocks representing the unwavering support of family and friends.”
She adds, “Sophie has a ton of people rooting for her, and they were eager to show their love and devotion. It made a lasting impression on Sophie, who is dealing with so much.”
FROM MISSISSIPPI TO COLORADO
Back in January 2024, 22-year-old Sophie Nolan was making the three-hour drive from her home in Memphis back to Mississippi State University when she was involved in a serious highway collision.
Airlifted to a hospital in Tupelo, Mississippi, with a brain injury, Sophie spent about two months in the ICU, fighting for her life.
“We were determined to get her to Colorado because Craig focuses specifically on brain and spinal cord injuries,” Stacey says. “And after a long battle with our insurance company, Sophie flew to Craig in late March.”
There, she spent the next six months participating in a rigorous physical, occupational, and speech therapy schedule. Sophie also became involved in the donor-supported therapeutic recreation and music therapy programs.
“I remember when Sophie went on an outing to Wash Park with her therapeutic recreation team,” Stacey recalls. “It was the first time that she smiled since her accident. At that time, she was navigating so many health issues. It was great to see that smile again.”
A SAFETY NET
A critical member of Sophie’s interdisciplinary team was Karen Leonard, a Clinical Care Manager whose job is to provide assistance with patient and family counseling, education, accessing benefits, team
coordination, advocacy, and planning for a return to home.
“Karen handled all of the behind-the-scenes details in Sophie’s care. She not only tackled numerous insurance issues, but ensured we had what we needed,” Stacey explains. “In addition to making sure that Sophie’s dad, Trey, and I had a place to stay in Craig’s on-site family housing, she accessed funding from the Craig Foundation’s Patient Assistance Funds to purchase a standing frame for our home after insurance denied our request. We felt so grateful for all of Karen’s support.”
LEAVING ONE HOME FOR ANOTHER
In September, Sophie and her parents headed back to Memphis to continue Sophie’s recovery. Today, she is participating in outpatient therapy several days a week.
More Than 35 Years of Giving
Back in August 1988, 42-year-old Linda McCurdy, a home economics teacher at West High School in Denver, was involved in a car accident. Due to the accident, Linda’s aorta ruptured, which resulted in a T12 spinal cord injury, and required surgery.
Linda spent three months at Craig Hospital during the fall of 1988 before returning to her teaching job in a wheelchair.
“I was extremely impressed with Craig and wanted to stay involved,” she recalls. “So when I was asked to serve on the Alumni Education Scholarship Committee in 1989, I jumped at the chance. As a longtime teacher who was always close to my students, I truly understand the need to help our youth. Adolescent grads from Craig are just starting college and really need assistance. I can’t imagine being 18, in a wheelchair, and trying to navigate college.”
She adds, “When I first joined the committee, we had seven to 10 applicants, and today we have more than 45. I love being involved because we help many young people in need and never turn anyone down. It’s extremely fulfilling.”
In addition to serving on the scholarship committee, Linda has helped at Craig in other ways over the past three decades. Not only did she provide muchneeded support to other women in wheelchairs, but together with her mother, she cleaned the toys available to children living in family housing.
Linda and her husband, Phil, also generously donate to Craig.
“Sophie is mainly working on intense foot, leg, and hand stretching so she can start moving again,” Stacey explains. “She was derailed with bed sores when she first got home, but she is getting stronger every day and talking again.”
She adds, “Craig is an incredible place truly touched by God. We are so thankful for being able to heal at Craig and grateful for the hospital staff’s kindness and compassion. What a truly special place!”
Sophie received support from the Ronald James Woods Foundation Patient Assistance Fund, the Assistive Technology Patient Assistance Fund, the RISE Fund, Project EQL: Equipment for Quality Life and the Going Home Fund. On behalf of all the grateful Craig patients, like Sophie, thank you to our donors for their generosity.
“Our donations are earmarked for the Alumni Education Scholarship as well as the Frank Craig Society [members of the Frank Craig Society have included Craig in their will or estate plans],” she explains. “Phil and I decided to bequest a portion of our estate to Craig because we are part of the Craig family. And being part of that family means you do anything you can to give back and help others.”
Adds Phil, “Craig gave us our lives back. Linda received such amazing care there, so giving back has always been very important to both of us.”
To learn more about Craig Foundation scholarships, visit https://craighospital.org/foundation/givingcommunities.
Oh, what a night! An unforgettable evening of creativity and community was had by all in attendance. The Craig Foundation’s Impact Celebration: Art Auction brought together over 200 guests at Moss Denver and raised more than $215,000 for Craig Hospital.
From original pieces by grads, staff and volunteers to powerful group projects from inpatients and community recreation groups, every artwork told a story.
Special thanks to our co-chairs, Keith and Laura Fuicelli.
Craig Hospital Nurses in the Spotlight!
We are honored to have three nominees for the Denver Regional Nurses Association Nursing Excellence Awards. Nominees include:
Kirsten Wiggers (Training and Development) was nominated for Nursing Education – Academia & Nursing Professional Development: Exceptional Achievements in Nursing
Holly Black (OPC RN) was nominated for Excellence in Clinical Practice - Long Term Care, Rehabilitation: RN
Vivian Pacheco (OPC NP) was nominated for Excellence in Clinical Practice - Clinical Advanced Practice: RN
Finalists, known as Luminaries, are submitted to the Colorado Nurses Foundation State Selection Committee and invited to the Excellence in Nursing Awards on May 17, 2025. At this event, one recipient will be chosen for the statewide Excellence in Nursing Award.
Holly Black and Vivian Pacheco were recognized as Luminaries and will advance to the State Selection Committee. Congrats! We feel truly fortunate to work alongside such exceptional nurses.
Would you like an inside look at Craig Hospital? Come see us!
Join us for a tour of our state-of-theart facilities and experience our unique cheerful and positive campus atmosphere firsthand.
Choose from one of the upcoming tour dates below and contact Jan Kelley at jkelley@craighospital.org or 303-789-8817 to confirm details.
Tuesday, June 10 | 10 a.m.
Saturday, June 21 | 10 a.m. Thursday, June 26 | 4 p.m.
Tuesday, July 8 | 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 19 | 10 a.m.
Thursday, July 31 | 10 a.m.
Saturday, August 9 | 10 a.m.
Thursday, August 14 | 4 p.m. Tuesday, August 26 | 10 a.m.
3425 S. Clarkson Street
Englewood, CO 80113
2025 SIGNATURE EVENTS
IMPACT CELEBRATION: ADAPTIVE ATHLETICS
THURSDAY, JUNE 26 I LITTLETON
Join us for an inspiring evening featuring adaptive athletics with wheelchair tennis players and Craig grads, Grayson Fox and Jason Keatseangsilp. This event will feature an exhibition match and the athletes will share more about their journey and life as wheelchair athletes.
CRAIG HOSPITAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
PRESENTED BY RE/MAX, LLC
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9 I SANCTUARY GOLF COURSE
Join us for a day on the links for the Craig Hospital Sanctuary Golf Tournament presented by RE/MAX, LLC to support and assist Craig’s patients and programs.
PEDAL 4 POSSIBLE: AT THE RACEWAY
SATURDAY, OCT. 18 | CO STATE PATROL TRACK
P4P: At the Raceway offers riders of all abilities the exclusive opportunity to ride in this closed-course event where cycling meets fundraising for Craig Hospital’s patients and programs!
303-789-8650
foundation@craighospital.org
craighospital.org/foundation
craighospital.org/blog