How CMCC and the Harry Gregg Foundation Partner to Change Lives
Sage’s life changed forever nine years ago. That was when, at the age of 19, Sage was involved in a car accident that left him with a devastating spinal cord injury and using a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Today, Sage is 28, and looks back at that tragic event with one main takeaway:
“By the grace of God I’m alive,” he says. “The doctors told me that they didn’t know if I was going to survive or not. And here I am. God had other plans for me so I’m very grateful about that.”
Sage is a client of Crotched Mountain Community Care (CMCC), Crotched Mountain Foundation’s independent case management program that supports adults with disabilities, chronic illness, and other unique needs. Sage works with Cory, his CMCC Case Manager, to access needed supports that allow him to remain in his home and part of the community.
“CMCC has helped us if we need something to make the house more suitable for my needs,” Sage says.
In addition to securing home modifications like a ramp and an accessible shower, Cory and the CMCC team coordinate available resources like grants to support clients.
One such resource: the Harry Gregg Foundation, a close friend and partner of Crotched Mountain and one of the only foundations that provides direct grants to New Hampshire residents with disabilities. Recently, Harry Gregg Foundation provided a grant to Sage—facilitated by Cory—to provide assistance for his electricity bill.”
“CMCC has helped us if we need something to make the house more suitable for my needs.”
“It’s been so nice, so helpful,” Sage says. “I have tried to just look at the better things in life instead of worrying about things I couldn’t change.”
Thanks to CMCC, the Harry Gregg Foundation, and our generous donors, Sage has received the support to make those better things a reality. Ben, a CMCC client who lives in Concord, also received a Harry Gregg Foundation grant for the Oratell Alexa Voice Control for his hospital bed, a device he uses anywhere from 5 to 20 times a day. This device allows Ben to have full independent control of his hospital bed.
“I wanted to get the Oratell device because of my lower extremity pain,” he says. “Before, I’d always have to ask for help to change the position of my bed. This helps me with my independence and makes it so I don’t have to depend on a caregiver as much. Now, I get to relieve my own pain.”