Sam Schmidt’s dream of building a grand facility in the Midwest to support those seeking spinal cord injury rehabilitation has become a reality.
Having suffered a crash in 2000 while testing that rendered the former IndyCar driver and co-owner of today’s Arrow McLaren a quadriplegic, Schmidt’s efforts to create and deliver the kind of comprehensive care he needed as a patient in the early stages of the incident have consumed his life away from the racetrack.
Opened this week in Indianapolis, the 114,000 square-foot Conquer Paralysis Now facility complements Schmidt’s original CPN facility in Las Vegas, Nev. It was built with the support of donors who raised $20 million for the new location’s creation. The Indy property also houses the DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center powered by NeuroHope.
“With the grand opening of our new headquarters in Indianapolis, Conquer Paralysis Now will collaborate with NeuroHope to treat patients with spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions, and serve clients who can use the facility recreationally,” Schmidt said. “This milestone represents our unwavering commitment to advancing research, improving lives, and empowering individuals with the promise of a brighter, more inclusive future.”
The onboarding of NeuroHope led by founder Chris Leeuw is an important development as it “has relocated its staff, state-of-the-art equipment, and 150+ patients to the new facility, where they will offer extensive outpatient services to address more than 30 neurological conditions. Services include, but will not be limited to: physical, occupational, and speech therapy, pediatric services, aquatic therapy, and adaptive exercise.”
Schmidt’s non-profit foundation holds annual fundraisers supported by the IndyCar community which also includes the auctioning of race-used items from teams and drivers to underwrite CPN’s activities.
“I’ve offered to help whenever I can,” Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood told RACER. “It’s obvious what’s Sam’s doing is helping people and there’s a big calling for support because what’s he’s doing is from the heart. Robby Wickens has been helped by this and we’re a tight community so we want to help. I’m glad it’s growing and I’m going to do all I can and be vocal in support.”
To learn more about the facility, visit www.conquerparalysisnow.org.