Paddle for Paraquad

Founded in 1970, Paraquad is one of the oldest and largest Centers for Independent Living in the country. In 2022, Paraquad directly served more than 1,100 Missourians with disabilities, helping them to live independently in their homes and participate in their communities. Centers for Independent Living are unique in that at least 51% of a Center’s Board of Directors and staff must be people with disabilities; this structure makes Paraquad’s mission, to champion equity and independence for people with disabilities through services, partnerships, education, and advocacy, deeply personal to so many connected to the organization.

The mission is so personal that on May 26th, two Paraquad employees, both with disabilities, will begin a kayaking trip across the state to raise money and awareness for independent living and to highlight the barriers people with disabilities commonly face in healthcare, education, employment, and civic engagement. Dave Haessig, Paraquad’s Independent Living Manager, is a certified kayaking instructor, social worker, and dog-lover. Briana Conley, Paraquad’s Senior Director of Programs, started learning to kayak specifically to make this trip. What she lacks in skill and experience she makes up for in enthusiasm.