The 34 Project: Providing Specialized Physical Therapy For Spinal Cord Injuries

Recovering from a spinal cord injury requires specialized physical therapy, and that specialized care is happening right at The 34 Project located off North Rockwell in Bethany.

Tim Haws started the nonprofit three years ago after his son Hudson’s high school football injury.

“I became frustrated at the fact that I had to drive to Dallas, to get something that I felt like lots of people right here in Oklahoma could benefit from,” said Haws.

Sadly, after all the surgeries and procedures, there was no place in the state to continue Hudson’s progress to get better, so he created a place.

“95 percent of our clientele are people that have a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury,” said Haws.

“What makes the difference here are my trainers, they know how to handle people with spinal cord injuries or paralysis,” said Haws.

“This is the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever been a part of,” said The 34 Project Director, Jeremy Johnson.

For someone with a spinal cord injury, it is the simple things that can change their quality of life.

“I reached up and I pulled the seatbelt, and I pulled it down and I said oh my goodness, look at that,” said Mike Mitchell

Even something as small as holding a cup of water was a challenge for Mike, today he does it with little effort. And with the scholarship program, it makes treatment available for everyone.  

“Whatever they are able to pay, even if it is nothing at all, we understand,” said Johnson.

With so much good happening at The 34 Project, filmmakers wanted to showcase some of the people who have been helped.

“Our documentary is premiering this Thursday, June 6 at 6 p.m. The doors will open at the Yale theatre which is on Southwest 25th Street and Robinson,” said Haws.

Everyone is invited to attend the movie, the cost is only $5.00. For more information about the movie or The 34 Project, visit their website www.the34project.org