Showing a Spine: Bill Bodry’s Own Paralysis Set Stage for Challenge Center

Bill Bodry is the first to admit it was his vanity coupled with his doctor’s curiosity that left him paralyzed after surgery to further correct his scoliosis. He was only 28.

“I thought, ‘Big mistake, but all right—now what do I do?’ ” said Bodry, who now uses a wheelchair.

His answer came the day his insurance stopped paying for his rehabilitation, and he says he then understood how unprepared the American medical system is when dealing with catastrophic issues.

“Insurance doesn’t pay beyond the acute phase,” he said. “It felt like they were saying I wasn’t worth fixing. It kind of felt like being thrown away.”

In 1987, Bodry opened , where people are treated to their potential—regardless of insurance coverage. Now president, he charges less than market rate for physical therapy and offers additional subsidies to those in need.

Bodry, a nominee for KPBS’ Local Hero Award, started out of an old post office building in El Cajon, and still remembers the handwritten lease. He’s since relocated to La Mesa at .

“When I started, I was flabbergasted it was all happening—that we got a building, got some equipment and got a physical therapist,” said Bodry, who lives in San Diego.

Now he’s married to the place, constantly working to secure supplemental funding.  Fundraisers help, and the next big one is the 14th annual Comedy Night hosted by comedian Rich Little on Friday, Sept. 9, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt.

Tickets start at $175. For more information, contact Jane Moore at 619-977-1712 or by email at jane2@cox.net.