Sheltering Arms Institute

09/11/2025

While on a mission trip to Lithuania this summer, Eric experienced a spinal cord injury during a swimming accident. After spending weeks overseas, he was airlifted back home we he continued his care at VCU Health and began his rehabilitation journey at Sheltering Arms Institute.

Every day, Eric spends hours in various therapies and fitness, working toward regaining his strength and mobility. Check out his story on 12 On Your Side to get a glimpse into his physical rehab journey, his recovery progress so far, and future goals. You’ve got this, Eric!

09/11/2025

Today, on the 24th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we pause to remember. We honor the lives lost, the bravery of first responders, and the strength of the families and communities forever impacted. 🇺🇸

09/10/2025

Giving Day is just one week away! We’re on the road to recovery – together! 🤲 Join us next Wednesday, September 17 during National Rehabilitation Awareness Week as we aim to raise $150,000 to support the life-changing services we provide our community following illness or injury.

Your generous support allows Sheltering Arms Foundation to fund Margin of Excellence programs that go above and beyond standard physical rehabilitation care, including recreational therapy, psychology services, clinical science & research, chaplaincy support, expressive arts, adaptive fitness, and more.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps fuel our mission and provide transformative physical rehabilitative care to our patients and their caregivers. Let’s go further, together. ✨

Visit https://bit.ly/4pnBU2i to give now!

09/09/2025

This past weekend, we were honored to welcome back former patients & their caregivers for our 2nd annual Stroke & Brain Injury Reunion Event! 🧠

It was an incredible day filled with smiles, hugs, and powerful stories as graduates from near and far returned to reunite with their care teams, celebrate how far they’ve come, learn about helpful resources in the community, and connect with others who’ve experienced a similar journey.

We’re so grateful to our generous sponsors – Reynolds Development, Hanger Clinic, Industrial Maintenance & Service (IMS), Vivistim, JLL, HUB International – and volunteers for helping make this event possible and for supporting a day that celebrates the strength, resilience, and community spirit of every survivor in the room! 💪

Brain Injury Association of Virginia
Community Brain Injury Services
The Span Center
Eggleston
Sportable - Richmond Adaptive Sports & Recreation
Sheltering Arms Foundationa
Sheltering Arms
The Positive Vibe Foundation
Nimbus Massage

09/08/2025

Have you or a loved one experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and live in Virginia? Help us shape future care by sharing your experience while getting paid for your time! 🧠

The Brain Injury Association of Virginia and Sheltering Arms Institute in collaboration with VCU Health are seeking adults who have experienced a traumatic brain injury and their caregivers to participate in a TBI focus group.

Participation includes:
📞 A phone questionnaire
💬 A one-hour focus group (in-person or virtual)
🧑‍🔬 A guided discussion with our research team
💵 Compensation for your time

Click here to learn more & register: https://bit.ly/4gibdb0

09/06/2025

Calling all artists! 🎨🖌️🖼️ Sheltering Arms Institute is accepting submissions for the fall installation of the Pulley Family Art Wall, located between our main therapy gym and interfaith chapel. This season’s theme is “Windows to the World” 🪟🌍 Team members, volunteers, patients, and community artists are all invited to submit their art!

🗓️ Deadline: Friday, Sept. 12 @ 5 p.m.
🖼️ Exhibit Duration: 4-6 months
📏 Max Artwork Height: 36”

✔️ Work must be original, 2D or 3D (no video)
✔️ Standard frame sizes only
✔️ Include digital files + artist statement

📤 To submit your art, email a photo of your work and your artist statement to Sarah-May Brooks at sarahmay.brooks@sai.rehab.

09/05/2025

Music therapy at its finest! 🎶 Meet John, a talented professional pianist whose life changed after a spinal cord injury made it difficult to stand, walk, and play. But with determination, therapy, and a whole lot of heart, music found its way back.

In the first clip, John gives “Peaceful Easy Feeling” a go with support from the Tyromotion Advanced Rehabilitation Technology Diego, a robotic-based upper-extremity therapy device. With time, hard work, and a little rhythm, he formed a band — Audrey and the Rehab Misfits — comprised of Sheltering Arms Institute team members, including physical therapist, Cait, on violin, Dr. Leghart on guitar, and music therapist, Audrey, on guitar.

This time around, John effortlessly played that same Eagles classic and many other timeless favorites in a concert for other patients and team members to clap, sing along, and marvel at how far John has come. Healing happens in many ways! 💫

09/04/2025

A year and a half ago, Forest came to Sheltering Arms Institute for physical rehab after experiencing a stroke that left him unable to use his right leg or arm. That’s when he met Chaplain Flowers, our interfaith chaplain, and their connection became part of his healing journey.

Forest enjoyed the worship services that Chaplain Flowers leads each Sunday morning so much that, to this day, he returns every Sunday with his daughter, Liberty, to assist Chaplain Flowers during worship. Forest describes the bond they’ve formed over time like family and continues to inspire others each week with his strength, faith, and dedication. 🌟 Our spirituality services are made possible by generous donors to Sheltering Arms Foundation.

09/02/2025

Ashby’s grand return! 🎉 Last year, Ashby started to experience back pain that worsened over time, eventually causing impaired function in her legs and feet. A MRI revealed a tumor on her spinal cord. After undergoing surgery to remove it, she was unable to walk.

Upon coming to Sheltering Arms Institute for physical rehab, Ashby says her care team’s positivity and expertise gave her strength to push forward. “I kept telling myself, ‘I’m the luckiest person in the world to be here with these wonderful people.’”

Today, she walked through our doors to reunite with some of the heroes of her healing journey and thank them for all their care during her recovery 🫂 Smiles all around!

09/01/2025

September is spinal cord injury awareness month. A spinal cord injury can dramatically impact movement, sensation, and daily life. Learn about the different types of injuries, how they’re classified, and how rehabilitation can support recovery.

Learn the different types of spinal cord injuries, how they can impact movement and sensation, and how rehabilitation can support recovery.

08/29/2025

Before Suellen became one of our beloved peer mentor volunteers, we first met her when she was a patient at Sheltering Arms Institute where she began her journey of recovery and resilience following an amputation. Now, 3 years later — just one day after celebrating her 3rd “amp-a-versary” — she completed the Live Red Foundation's RVA Sprint Triathlon. To mark three years of strength, resilience, and recovery, she swam, biked, and ran her way across the finish line. We’re so proud to cheer her on, both on and off the course! 🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Congrats, Suellen! You are a true testament to living Life Beyond Limits 💪 To make a gift in Suellen's honor to Sheltering Arms Foundation's annual fund to support our margin of excellence programs, like therapeutic recreation, community engagement, and clinical science and research, visit https://shelteringarmsfoundation.org/suellen-henneberry-marathon-fundraiser/