Bruce Brumfield, President/CEO of Founders Federal Credit Union shares his personal story that played a part in why they are a major donor to the Miracle Park!
"At Founders Federal Credit Union, our mission is to serve. To serve our members and to serve our communities. So, when we heard about this dream to build a park in Rock Hill that would change the landscape for people with disabilities, while embracing those of all abilities, we knew we not only had to support it, we had to be on the forefront.
Our board of directors quickly gave us approval to do just that with a half million-dollar donation to help make Miracle Park a reality.
If you think about it, we all likely know someone or know of someone with a disability, who had a child with a disability, a parent with a disability, a friend with a disability. For many, this isn’t as far removed as you might think. I know it isn’t for me.
On August 25, 2016, I fell off a ladder while exiting a deer stand and shattered both of my heels. The doctor told me there are 5 bones in the human body you don’t want to break and I broke 3 of those in each foot.
After surgeries on both feet that involved plates, pins and screws, I was confined to a wheelchair for the next 12 weeks, unable to put any weight on my feet at all.
My situation was temporary, so I, in no way, intend to liken this to what many people and families face when it comes to disabilities. However, it certainly opened my eyes to the challenges the world presents.
I was suddenly in a situation where I had to have a caregiver. My wife was suddenly in a position where she had to plan her day around me. Our doors had to be taken off hinges so I could be wheeled through a home I had easily navigated before. Our sunroom was converted into my bedroom so I could have a hospital bed, a way to maneuver into a wheelchair, etc. Suddenly everything was such an EFFORT, such a thought process. The word accessible was not a word I thought of often. Now, it was EVERYTHING. Attending normal activities or special events with work, family and friends now involved transportation for me in my wheelchair, finding restaurants with tables that accommodated a wheelchair, hotel rooms that were accessible, seating that allowed for a wheelchair, figuring out how to navigate crowds and curbs and hills. Suddenly nothing was easy. And, I quickly found that few places were as “accessible” as they claimed.
Again, this was a temporary situation and by the end of that year, I was able to walk again. But the word accessible is no longer a word I don’t think about. My experience left me with an even greater respect for those with disabilities and the challenges they face every single day.
That’s why I am so proud that everyone at Founders was on board and ready to help make this park happen. Instead of having to adapt to what’s already there, to have a place that is built with you in mind, where you can engage and be a part of life without having to try and just make it work, well, that will be a miracle for many. Miracle Park is a game changer for, not only Rock Hill, but for surrounding communities as well. Families with children whose abilities are different, will want to live here. They will come here to be a part of a community that cared enough to dream of a place where people of all abilities are, not only considered, but celebrated." - Bruce Brumfield
Funding is still needed! Can you help us with the second half of building our park, we still need $4,000,000. https://www.miracleparkrockhill.com/donations
