Mississippi Paralysis Association
Helping the disable become able
Mississippi Paralysis Association
Mission
Improving the quality of life of paralyzed
persons through home and vehicle modifications,
purchase of medical equipment and supplies, medical
equipment loan program, educational and sports
grants, peer support and research.
Quality of Life Grants
provides individuals living with a paralysis with financial assistance for
purchasing adaptive and durable medical equipment (DME), medical supplies (on a limited
basis), and home and vehicle modifications that will allow them to live as independently as
possible and improve their quality of life.
Awareness and Research Grants
support and provide grants for programs that educate and bring awareness to the causes
of paralysis and offer preventative measures for those causes. We also support research involved in finding a cure for paralysis.
Peer Support Program
provide peer support to individuals living with paralysis and their family members. We sponsor group meetings, which are held throughout the state of Mississippi, where people with paralysis and their family members can come together for emotional support, share information, and
participate in social activities.
Sports Grants
Grants offers individual sport sponsorship to qualified individuals and a $5,000 team sponsorship to organized non-profit wheelchair teams. We also sponsor an Introduction to Wheelchair Sports Program which goes together with our group Peer Support Program. This program offers an introduction to sports such as water skiing, snow skiing, dance, fishing, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair softball, and
wheelchair fencing. This program builds self-esteem, confidence, and allows individuals to
discover, or rediscover, the joy of being actively involved in a sport.
MPA Sports Equipment Match Fund
helps with the purchase of sporting equipment for an individual living with a
paralysis who demonstrates a true interest and dedication to a sport.
Scholarships
A) The Thomas Lunardini Scholarship Award; a
$10,000 scholarship (up to $5,000 per semester; fall, spring) will be awarded to one individual living with a paralysis to assist with the cost of tuition, purchase of books, room and board at a college or university of the recipient’s choice.
B)The Bennie Owens, Jr. Memorial Scholarship; a $5,000 scholarship (up to $2,500 per semester; fall, spring) will be awarded to an individual with a paralysis that attends the Rehabilitation Counseling Master’s Program at Jackson State University. This scholarship is to be used for the cost of tuition, purchase of books, room, and board.
Our History
Thomas L. Lunardini was a native of Jackson, MS, born on October 10, 1962. Tom was a C-3 quadriplegic. He was injured in a car accident in 1982 while a freshman at Hinds Junior College. After his injury, he continued his education at Belhaven and Millsaps colleges. Tom saw that there was a great need for financial assistance for the paralyzed citizens of Mississippi.
Therefore, together with Daryel Dunaway, John Lee II, and Michael. H. Grace, the Mississippi Paralysis Association (MPA) was born. MPA was incorporated on April 13, 1983. Tom was the recipient of the WLBT Spirit of Mississippi and Graduate of Leadership Jackson awards. He was as generous in death as he was in life. His donated organs gave six people the gift of life.
Different Time, Same Mission
“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible”
Christopher Reeve
Paralyzed actor