The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is excited to announce its partnership with NextStep Fitness, a non-profit organization that provides fully accessible and adaptive equipment for physically challenged adults. NextStep strives to improve levels of independence and quality of life through personalized fitness and wellness programs -- designed by both the client and trained staff.

NextStep is the first community-based NeuroRecovery Network (NRN) facility on the West Coast to offer Locomotor Training therapy.

On Thursday, June 5, 2008, community leaders and supporters attended the grand opening of the new facility.

NextStep president Janne Kouri suffered a paralyzing diving injury in August 2006, fracturing C5 and C6 vertebrae. He used Locomotor Training and activity-based exercise programs at a Frazier Rehab Institute, the lead NRN center, to regain muscle strength, movement and general better health following his injury.

"Being the first in-patient to ever participate in the program, I was obviously slightly anxious and nervous," Mr. Kouri said. "But before I knew it, my toes started to wiggle and with each week I experienced more and more movement in my legs. Within a month I was able to step for an hour at a time with the assistance of my trainers. My health dramatically improved; my blood pressure, my overall strength and muscle tone, my cardio endurance, as well as my mental strength. Simply put, it felt great to stand up and "walk" again."

Upon returning home, Kouri was surprised at the lack of advanced fitness training options in California for individuals with disabilities. Janne and his wife Susan decided to create NextStep Fitness with the goal of affordable, client-focused fitness programs and researched-based training techniques.