Next Steps of O'Connor Foundation

03/04/2026

Trevor Hayden absolutely slayed the Little Rock Marathon course, rocking his Game of Thrones race kit and finishing in a blazing 2:44:40! 👑🔥

Even after facing mechanical challenges from mile 13, he pushed through with the strength, grit, and determination that define him.

As an athlete with a C7 spinal cord injury, Trevor continues to rewrite what’s possible and inspire everyone around him.

Boston awaits… and the Next Steps team remembers. 🏁

12/24/2025

12/02/2025

Join us in supporting someones recovery on .

09/26/2025

Congratulations to Trevor Hayden on his Boston Qualifying Air Force Marathon performance! Crushing his Goals! Goals Set - Goals Met! NEXT STEPS - CRUSH THE BOSTON COURSE!

08/21/2025

Thank you to Cheryl Angelelli and New Mobility Magazine for the feature article on the Onward ARC -EX transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation device and it's impact for persons with SCI. https://newmobility.com/arc-ex-transcutaneous-stimulation-device-delivers-real-world-results/

Transcutaneous stimulation is starting to hit physical therapy clinics as a way to improve motor function in people with incomplete spinal cord injuries. Cheryl Angelelli tries it herself and talks…

07/25/2025

Today we celebrate the birthday of our incredible founder, Jon O'Connor. Jon was a fiece supportor of spinal cord reserch and services, not becuase he reaped the benefit, but because he saw the value and benefit for others. Jon was an incredible agent for change of the status quo. We will share these words of his to keep his spirit in our midst. "Happiness is when you think what you say and what you do is in harmony - To have wealth is to create value in others." ~Jon O'Connor

07/25/2025

Best Applesauce Ever! This accomplishment brought to you by Bari, Next Steps Chicago & Onward Medical ARC-Ex transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation. After 13 years, Bari has recovered enough movement to feed herself! So Proud of her ongoing hardwork and dedication.

05/11/2025

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mother's out there. We are grateful for their tireless support, encouragement, and daily miracles they pull off for us. Mothers can turn our frowns upside down, our messes into masterpieces and our meltdowns into serenities. Mothers are our MVP's!!!

04/13/2025

In honor of World Parkinson's Day, Mary Jones, PT from Next Steps and Alyssa Barbaro, OT from Strolll Augmented Realty system, had the pleasure to speak about Balance and Fall Prevention, and demonstrate the Innovative STROLLL system for Gait and Balance interventions to benefit people with Parkinson's Disease.

04/13/2025

In honor of World Parkinson's Day, Mary Jones, PT and Alyssa Barbaro, OTR from STROLLL, had the honor to speak about balance strategies and treatment options, Including the STROLLL Augmented Reality System to the North West Indiana Parkinson's Organization.

04/09/2025

In 2003, Jon O'Connor working with Patrick Rummerfield created the program for NextSteps clinics in California, spreading to many other locations throughout the United States.
They were the first community/family-based non-profit centers for long-term spinal cord care in the United States.
Today there are many centers similar to NextSteps, all with one goal to provide extended quality care for a spinal cord and stroke community.
Our clinic today in Willow Springs specializes in advanced research & tech technologies, along with long-term care for our patients.
Jon along with Patrick Rummerfield are the pioneers of community-based SCI centers. Jon never gave up hope .He ran the clinic for 12 years and raised money for research throughout the world. He also continued working as a developer and a contractor along with his sister doing many large projects throughout the suburbs of Chicago.
He never let his paralysis, slow him down or stop caring for his fellow man.
And now you know the rest of the story. Thank you WGN for sharing this innovative rehabilitation for spinal cord injury.

There has been an extraordinary step forward in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. WGN's Dina Bair brings you the story on this edition of Medical Watch.