Toyota Goes The Extra Mile: Funds Stay In Step
Judy Antell
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Carmaker donates money and 2015 Toyota Sienna minivan to rehab center.
Spinal-cord injury patients in Tampa, Florida, have a new non-profit treatment center to aid them on the road to recovery. Started by a soldier injured in Afghanistan, the Stay In Step offers treatment, rehabilitation and support services to veterans and civilians with spinal cord injuries.
But Stay In Step is more than the average recovery center. This one combines intense strength and conditioning workouts with a focus on the natural movements and weight of the body.
And Toyota, which donated $300,000, as well as a wheelchair-accessible 2015 Toyota Sienna minivan, is also providing expertise in engineering and robotics.
Stay In Step founder Romy Camargo with Osamu “Simon” Nagata, executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America, Inc. Credit: Doug Engle/OcalaStar-Banner
Toyota Motor North America Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Simon Nagata said, “Stay In Step is aligned with Toyota’s corporate vision to lead the way to the future of mobility and enrich lives around the world with the safest and most responsible ways of moving people.”
Romy Camargo, ambushed on his third tour of duty, was paralyzed from the shoulders down, but remains determined to walk again, He is still on active duty in the military while he continues his recovery, and he runs Stay In Step with his wife, Gaby.
Stay In Step, which opened June 20, uses emerging therapies and a “never quit” attitude. Treatment, rehabilitation and support services are available to veterans and civilians. It is the first wounded veteran owned center.
Nagata added, we are applying the strength and expertise of Toyota’s engineering and robotics to the challenges faced by those injured in service to this country. He said, “Toyota’s partner robots are being developed to assist people in their everyday activities.”