The Lionheart Community is a dedicated grassroots organization in the Sacramento, California area, founded by Charlene Vine with a mission to support and empower people living with paralysis. Born from Charlene’s personal journey and unwavering determination, Lionheart focuses on creating a strong, inclusive network where individuals with paralysis can access resources, find emotional support, and build lasting connections. Through community events, peer mentorship, and advocacy, the organization cultivates courage, resilience, and solidarity—embodying the “lion heart” spirit that drives people to rise, thrive, and uplift one another.
1. What inspired you to create The Lionheart Community, and how did your personal experiences shape the organization’s mission?
When I sustained my spinal cord injury, I was living in the Sierra Nevada mountains and returned there afterward. While my friends were incredibly supportive, I had no one around who truly understood the transition into life with paralysis. Moving to Sacramento and starting the first support group changed everything. I found invaluable knowledge, support, and a sense of belonging within the paralysis community.
One of my biggest challenges was managing chronic UTIs. I had become severely allergic to oral antibiotics, and traditional treatments weren’t working. During one of our support group meetings, Bob Vogel introduced me to bladder flushes, a method for managing UTI’s that ultimately saved my life.
As I became more involved in hospital visits and peer mentoring, I witnessed the drastic reduction in rehabilitation time for newly injured individuals. In 2000, I spent two and a half months in rehab; today, people are discharged in as little as three weeks. This leaves many still in shock, physically unstable, and without proper equipment or home modifications. This crisis is setting people up to fail. The immediate need for support, shared knowledge, and access to critical resources drove me to establish The Lionheart Community. The intention is to help bridge these gaps so people can lead a better quality of life after paralysis.
2. How did you first become involved in adaptive outdoor recreation, and why do you think it’s important for individuals with paralysis?
Before my injury, I lived at 8,000 feet in the High Sierras, where outdoor recreation was a way of life. I was always hiking, kayaking, biking, off-roading, and boating. After my injury, I deeply missed those activities. A friend and I began exploring what was still possible, starting with adaptive kayaking.
In 2010, I attended the No Barriers Festival in Lake Tahoe, which was a turning point for me. I was able to try adaptive road biking, mountain biking, scuba diving, kayaking, and rock climbing. Seeing so many others with disabilities push past barriers and live active, adventurous lives inspired me to do the same. Since then, I’ve been passionate about sharing these experiences with others, proving that adventure is still possible post-injury. I think it’s important to move your body beyond the daily routine, to push the boundaries of what you think is possible with your mind and body, to challenge yourself, and to to get the reward of better health with huge smiles.
3. What challenges did you face while starting The Lionheart Community, and how did you overcome them?
The challenges are ongoing. Running an organization comes with an endless to-do list, and maintaining balance between work and personal life has been a major struggle on top of managing my disability. Starting a nonprofit is much like adjusting to life with a spinal cord injury; it pushes you to your limits, forces you to confront personal weaknesses, and requires significant growth to become effective.
One of the biggest hurdles has been getting others involved. Many in our community lack the bandwidth to volunteer or take on leadership roles, making it difficult to build a strong team. Many outside the community lack knowledge of how to interact with the wheeled community making them hesitant to participate. However, the reward of seeing lives transformed keeps me motivated to push forward.
4. How does your organization balance offering recreational opportunities with providing social support and recovery resources for members?
We view it as a journey. In the beginning, when someone is newly injured, they are often fragile both physically and emotionally. At that stage, support, resources and connection are the most crucial aspects.
Once someone becomes more comfortable navigating life in a wheelchair, venturing out to an in-person meet-up can be a great first step. From there, we encourage activities like group outings to restaurants or comedy clubs. As individuals gain confidence, we introduce them to more adventurous experiences like white-water rafting and kayaking. Having a supportive group of peers who understand the challenges of living with paralysis makes these transitions easier and more empowering.
5. What are some of the most rewarding moments you’ve experienced since founding The Lionheart Community?
One of the most rewarding moments is witnessing people push past their perceived limitations and trying activities they once thought were impossible, then succeeding. Seeing the confidence and joy that follows is incredible.
Visiting people in the hospital and showing them that life after injury can still be full and meaningful is another deeply gratifying experience. Offering hope and seeing that relief wash over them when they realize they can still be healthy and independent is invaluable.
Getting people out into nature, encouraging them to try new experiences, and watching chronic pain momentarily fade away in exchange for pure joy and endless smiles is a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Seeing individuals connect with the community, find inspiration, and experience a true sense of belonging is what makes it all worthwhile.
6. How do you select the types of adaptive recreation activities to offer, such as the wheelchair tennis clinics?
We aim to offer a variety of experiences. While I personally love big adventures, I recognize that not everyone shares that level of risk tolerance. We offer a mix of social outings like bowling, concerts, and comedy nights alongside more adventurous activities like biking, hiking, kayaking, and rafting.
Our focus is on filling gaps that other organizations don’t cover. Sports like wheelchair basketball and tennis already have established programs, so we concentrate on activities that are more individual and exploratory.
7. Can you share any success stories of individuals whose lives were transformed by participating in your programs?
One of the most profound transformations was a young woman with an SCI who was sent to a small hospital in Modesto. Due to improper care, she developed a pressure sore that prevented her from being admitted to a rehab. She spent 17 months in a nursing home, mostly bedridden, because she fell into an insurance gap. She couldn’t get a power wheelchair without going to a rehab.
When she connected with The Lionheart Community, we were able to provide her with lots of invaluable knowledge and a power wheelchair that another member had donated. That day marked the beginning of her journey back to independence. She healed enough to finally be admitted to rehab, where she finally learned to eat on her own, learned transferring, her family received proper training on her care and custom equipment was finally ordered for her. She was recently discharged and returned home, empowered with newfound hope and purpose.
8. What role does community and socialization play in the recovery process for people living with paralysis?
Community is everything. When you see others thriving despite their injuries, it gives you hope and motivation. Connecting with people who truly understand your struggles provides a level of support that family and friends, no matter how loving, often can’t offer.
Being part of a safe, encouraging community reduces isolation, increases confidence, and provides practical knowledge to navigate daily life. The relationships formed within our community are often life-changing.
9. How do you collaborate with other organizations to expand access to adaptive recreation and support for your community?
We work with other nonprofits, hospitals, and recreational programs to create opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise exist. We work with the cities and counties to provide lived experience on accessible projects. By partnering with established organizations, we can share resources, expand access, and provide a wider range of activities.
Collaboration allows us to maximize our impact, ensuring more people have the chance to experience adaptive recreation and support services.
10. What are the most common barriers individuals with paralysis face when trying to engage in outdoor activities, and how does The Lionheart Community help address those?
The biggest barriers to outdoor activities is confidence, money, transportation, equipment and assistance. Our support group and community activities aim to build up confidence and bravery. We try to make our events low to no cost or offer scholarships so it’s not a barrier to participation. We offer medical transport if necessary at no cost to the participant. And we supply the equipment and help necessary in order to try out the activity. By removing these barriers it makes it easier for people to have access to these things.
11. How do you ensure that your events and programs are accessible and inclusive for people with different levels of mobility and needs?
As a manual wheelchair user, I have firsthand insight into accessibility needs. Additionally, our board includes individuals with higher-level spinal cord injuries, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives. Before each event, we discuss how to accommodate everyone’s needs. We also encourage participants to communicate any specific requirements so we can create a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for all.
12. What future projects or initiatives do you have planned for The Lionheart Community, and how do you envision expanding your impact?
This year, we have 90 support group meetings scheduled, both online and in-person. We’re working with major hospitals to build a stronger support network for newly injured individuals. Additionally, we are launching a Peer Mentor Training Program to provide safe and effective guidance. A local adaptive expo and expanding adaptive outdoor adventure is also on the list.
A major long-term goal is securing a dedicated space ideally with access to the local bike trails. A TLC clubhouse where we can meet, exercise, socialize and have easy access to recreational equipment and outdoor adventure.
13. How does your organization approach raising awareness about the importance of adaptive sports and outdoor recreation?
We raise awareness by attending local events and advocating for the importance of support after experiencing paralysis. Within our community, we encourage individuals to share their experiences and the positive impact adaptive sports and outdoor recreation have had on their lives. Their stories inspire others and help highlight the need for more accessible opportunities.
14. What advice would you give to someone with paralysis who feels hesitant or intimidated to try adaptive outdoor activities?
- Bravery and determination will take you further than anything else. You need to be willing to step outside your comfort zone and try new things.
- What do you have to lose? Screen time?
- What do you have to gain? Friends, health, adventure, and a whole new perspective on life. Leave the fear at home and come out for some fun—you won’t regret it!
15. How can people outside of the adaptive community contribute to or support the mission of The Lionheart Community?
- As a nonprofit, we rely on donations to keep our programs running. Contributions can be made through our website, the Lionheart Community.
- Corporate sponsorships and grants are also a key part of our funding. If you know of any potential opportunities, please reach out!
- Additionally, we are always looking for volunteers. You can sign up for our newsletter and check the box about volunteering through our website.
- Together, we can make a difference.
