Advancing innovative care and compassionate support for people living with paralysis.
The Thomas E. Smith Foundation is a catalyst for transformative change in the lives of individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) and paralysis. We challenge the status quo by developing meaningful programs, investing in groundbreaking research, and advocating for equitable access to care. Rooted in decades of innovative leadership and lived experience, we are committed to dismantling systemic barriers, empowering individuals, and redefining the possibilities for a life without limitations.
A Story of Inspiration and Action.
Founded in 2010 by Thomas Smith after his own experience with SCI and paralysis, TESF is driven by a powerful mission. Thomas’ story exemplifies what our core values summarize: resilience, determination, and a desire to create positive change. Realizing the inequitable access to essential equipment and rehabilitation for individuals with SCI and paralysis, Tom and his friend and teammate Tucker Mullin established TESF to address these critical needs.
Looking Forward.
Fifteen years in the making, The Thomas E. Smith Foundation is entering a defining era of impact. What began as a personal mission has become a powerful movement to transform the lives of people living with spinal cord injury and paralysis.
With our growing team and the leadership of inaugural Executive Director & COO Sarah Merrefield, TESF is positioned to lead boldly—proving that access to the right resources unlocks lifelong wellbeing.
We’re building a future where individuals living with paralysis have what they need to thrive. From intensive physical therapy and home modifications to adaptive equipment and emerging clinical opportunities, our work centers on what’s proven to restore mobility, independence, and hope.
We believe progress happens when care meets possibility, and we see it every day in the lives we touch. Every dollar we raise, every story we share, and every partnership we form drives us closer to a world where health, wellbeing, and potential are never out of reach.
Now is the time. Join us as we scale what works, accelerate innovation, and expand access to care that transforms lives.
Together, we’re not just imagining a better future. We’re making it real.
Our Theory of Change
Care continuum innovation
We provide necessary emotional and financial support to individuals and families affected by SCI and paralysis, helping them cover the significant out-of-pocket expenses incurred from living with SCI and paralysis.
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Groundbreaking research
We invest in world class institutions that are doing groundbreaking research for innovative treatments, and to one day, find a cure for paralysis.
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Redefining Possible
We are committed to engaging with communities and decision makers with the vision of working together to create a world with greater accessibility and inclusivity for individuals living with SCI and paralysis.
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The Look-up Line
We invented the Look-Up Line, ice hockey’s first ever warning track, to be a revolutionary safety feature that reduces the risk of on-ice spinal cord injuries.
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