takeabed is building a new way to empower nonprofits to do their world-changing work. Donate by takeabed is a way for travelers to make the difference by doing the same; meaning they can book their hotels as anywhere else but helping a major cause while doing it.

Samantha never stopped believing that she would one day walk again and worked hard towards this goal until her untimely passing January 24, 2013. Because she took such great joy in seeing her friends at NextStep Orlando succeed, The Slusak Family established a scholarship fund in her memory. The Samantha Slusak Scholarship is to provide individuals who have the motivation, optimism and drive to continue their recovery an opportunity to attend NextStep Orlando based on financial need.

Being or becoming disabled and gaining employment is an important “NextStep” towards independence but for many it comes with fear of losing vital state and federal benefits such as Medicaid and long-term caregiving….

Did you know that today, January 20th is International Day of Acceptance?!

The Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.

Emotional recovery is equally important as physical recovery and at NextStep, I found both…

NextStep Orlando has been voted as a Top Rated Non Profit!

“The GreatNonprofits seal is the second most trusted rating seal, after the Better Business Bureau.”

Alexandra Reeve Givens was the keynote speaker, beautiful and so gracious with her time, she literally hung out with me and a few friends as I interviewed her…

The courage to start a program has helped many others with similar need.

NextStep Orlando has worked consistently for 10 years to provide the best possible recovery options to individuals in Florida and beyond. Our facility is the only Affiliate Community Fitness and Wellness Center (CFW) of the NeuroRecovery Network in the State of Florida. Our team is motivated and worked hard to achieve this status!

On April 21, 2007 I received the phone call no parent is ever prepared for. I was told my only daughter, Amanda, was being airlifted to a nearby hospital after a serious car accident. As I raced to the hospital, I could only think one thing: Please, let her be alive. I was informed her neck was broken and she was paralyzed. According to her doctors, Amanda would never walk again…

Cheers to 10 years in business, NextStep Orlando! Celebrate with us on August 24th at our 10 Year Anniversary Gala!

“NextStep has done WAY more for me besides the great training. They’re also teaching me how to be comfortable in my own skin. I had a lot of reservations about going out in public with my trach. What if people stared at me? What if I coughed in the middle of the movie? I had so many little worries, but they all helped put my mind at ease. I’m so happy I went!”

“12 years ago I was in this horrific accident that would forever change my life. I had never experienced true love before and for the next 3 years, I feared I never would. But then I met you...” is how my vows began on our wedding day 5.11.19…

According to Ancestry DNA, I am 40% Italian… Traveling to Italy has been a dream of mine for some many years. But after my spinal cord injury in 2007, traveling to Italy seemed to be more of a pipe dream than a possibility.

Ellen is kind of an introvert, but once you know her she is really outgoing. Before her accident she was a really sporty girl; she played softball for several years. Now, she has been exploring new hobbies–including modeling.

Sylvia Longmire is the definition of a boss. She is a writer, analyst on border security, an expert on the Mexican Drug war, travel blogger, owner of her own travel agency, and a single mother of two. She has traveled across the world, all while experiencing living with a chronic illness….

When Wes was 16 years old, he broke his C4 vertebrae during a motocross accident and became paralyzed. He has since gone on to give motivational speeches around the world, and continues to travel and live his life to the fullest…

“So I came up with the 4 P's of AD. It's kind of my own checklist to figure out what is wrong with my body. I check (1P) Pee first. Is something wrong with my catheter, do I have a UTI? If it's not that, I move on to (2P) Poop. Have I gone to the bathroom lately? Am I constipated? If it's not that then lastly I move to (3) Pain. Do I have a cut, bruise, pressure sore or ankle twisted? Have I changed my position lately? The one that falls in the "Other" Category is (4P) Pleasure. Sex. Enough said. “- Guest Blogger: Jessika Kattah “It’s that Wheel kind of Love”

Employees who were questioned uniformly expressed two similarities. One was a desire to help others and make a difference, and the other was because they believed that the mission of NextStep Orlando was really helpful and that supporting the mission would be a great way to help others and make a difference.