Lily Heil

STEPtember 2025

Stepping Up, Pushing Limits, Breaking Barriers for CP and Beyond

Disability is a natural part of the human experience and it touches more lives than you might think. In the U.S., more than 61 million adults β€” that’s 1 in 4 of us β€” report having at least one disability. That means millions of our friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors face barriers that affect their independence, health, education, and careers.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common lifelong physical disability, affecting 18 million people worldwide. Yet research into its causes and treatments is among the most underfunded in medicine. That’s where Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF) comes in. They fund early-stage research that meets the needs of people with CP and related conditions at every age and stage of life. These discoveries make a real difference for individuals, families, and care teams.

Because CP is a dynamic diagnosis that affects each person differently, CPARF's programs have far-reaching impact. They help inform care for other disabilities, our aging population, and society as a whole. For example, CPARF is exploring better ways to manage chronic pain without opioids; work that could change how pain is treated for everyone.

There's an equal and urgent need for innovative solutions that can bridge gaps across all parts of life, helping everyone participate fully and vibrantly in their communities and pursue their dreams.

That’s where assistive technology (AT) comes in. As a powerful driver of social equity, human dignity and inclusion, AT can improve access to learning, working, connection, and healthcare. It helps people live more independently and engage fully in daily life. Through Remarkable US, CPARF's tech accelerator, they’re expanding access to AT and helping people with disabilities, chronic conditions, and age-related challenges live healthy, dignified lives.

Will you make a donation to support this work? Your gift is more than an act of generosity, it’s a powerful investment in research and technology that changes lives.

Together, we can help build a more inclusive and accessible world for everyone.

Amount raised for cerebral palsy and beyond

My Steps

Progress icon
70% Complete

Steps

261,037

My goal

375,000

Thank you to my supporters

Early Impact Donor
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$1.02k

Beth & Chris Hanssens

No better squad than Lainey’s!!!! You go girl! Love to the Heil familyπŸ’•

Early Impact Donor
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$264

Cparf Board Of Directors

Your donation has been matched by the CPARF Board of Directors! Thank you for joining us in creating a more accessible and inclusive world.

Early Impact Donor
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$264

Birchwood Builders Group And Bespoke Of Winchester

Smile every step of the way, Lainey!

Early Impact Donor
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$264

Cparf Board Of Directors

Your donation has been matched by the CPARF Board of Directors! Thank you for joining us in creating a more accessible and inclusive world.

Early Impact Donor
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$264

Mollie & Thomas

We love you Lainey πŸ’«

Early Impact Donor
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$264

Ali Evers
Early Impact Donor
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$250

Barry Decosta

$150

Sheldon Family

Always in awe of Lainey’s strength and determination! Love you guys

$106

Colleen Boyce

Go team!! πŸ’• Colleen and Finn

$106

Declan, Cal And Griffin

We love you Lainey! You are an inspiration to us all! And Cal can’t wait to get married!

$106

Emily Cummings

Go Laineys squad!

$106

Colleen Twomey

Go Lainey!!

$106

Ann Larue

$53

Kendra Simpson

🀍πŸ’ͺ🏻🀍

$53

Cparf Board Of Directors

Your donation has been matched by the CPARF Board of Directors! Thank you for joining us in creating a more accessible and inclusive world.

$53

Hayley Mcgoff

$53

Cparf Board Of Directors

Your donation has been matched by the CPARF Board of Directors! Thank you for joining us in creating a more accessible and inclusive world.

$53

Grace + Tony Fautsch

We love you Lainey girl!!!

$53

The Russell Family

$53

Cparf Board Of Directors

Your donation has been matched by the CPARF Board of Directors! Thank you for joining us in creating a more accessible and inclusive world.

$53

Anonymous

$53

Cannon Toomey

$50

Anonymous

$42

Cparf Board Of Directors

Your donation has been matched by the CPARF Board of Directors! Thank you for joining us in creating a more accessible and inclusive world.

$42

Lauren Murphy

$26

Vitianna D’amico

$26

Cparf Board Of Directors

Your donation has been matched by the CPARF Board of Directors! Thank you for joining us in creating a more accessible and inclusive world.