Jack Kudray
Foundation Recipient
Jack Kudray
Jack's Story
For people living with disabilities, sometimes the simplest of things can make a
world of difference. Jack Kudray was employed in the HVAC industry as a service
technician, working for contractors and later opening his own small business. A
Universal EPA certified technician, Jack's career began in Michigan and eventually
led him to Arizona. Jack suffered from degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis
of the spine, and as the symptoms worsened he sought surgery for relief.
A failed back surgery left Jack no longer able to work or drive.
Jack was fortunate to live in one of the most bicycle friendly places in the US, with
several hundred miles of bicycle only lanes and paths in Maricopa County alone.
Over the years, bicycling became more and more painful so Jack sought an
alternative. A 2006 statute in Arizona allowed for up to a 48 cc gas motor to be
installed on any bicycle, and it legally remained a bicycle, thereby not requiring a
drivers license. Jack found the Joseph Groh foundation through the Christopher
Reeve foundation website and requested assistance in obtaining a motorized bicycle.
"As simple as this is," Jack said, "it has made a huge difference in my daily life and
I can't thank the foundation enough."
Thanks to continued support from friends of the foundation, this request was able
to be funded.