The Story
Behind IM ABLE
Meet Chris Kaag
I was 21 years old serving our country in the US Marine Corps. Everything changed in 1997 when I was sent to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The eventual diagnosis was AMN (adrenomyeloneuropathy), a degenerative nerve condition that cut short my career in the military.
Over those nine weeks at Walter Reed, and in the years since, the diagnosis could have consumed me, defined me. I still remember seeing kids hooked up to all sorts of machines. Seeing parents and siblings by their sides, questioning what their future would look like. It rocked me to my core. I wanted to hug all of them. It was then that I realized a new purpose. I chose to show them that life wasn’t over for us. We would need to adapt, but we could still achieve and accomplish incredible things.
You also believe in that idea so much that you’ve given your time, money, and a heck of a lot of support for so many people and in so many ways. Grant recipients and program participants in the thousands have realized new limits and new joys. Thanks to you.
When we change the life of one individual, understand that it ripples out, affecting entire families. It also benefits mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, grandmothers and grandfathers.
As we continue to champion resilience and transformation, let us remember that each life touched echoes throughout entire families and communities. Thank you for your support and belief in the power of human potential.
Chris Kaag
Founder, IM ABLE Foundation
Mission
Statement
The mission of the IM ABLE Foundation is to remove obstacles that prevent people with disabilities from being physically active by providing grants, resources, fitness opportunities and motivation. We change attitudes about the potential of individuals with disabilities by redefining what is possible.
Vision
Statement
By 2028, we will be a nationally recognized adaptive training destination for wounded veterans, all adaptive athletes, and those with physical and or cognitive challenges who want to improve their quality of life by learning to lead an active adaptive lifestyle.
Our Core Values
Inclusive: The cornerstone of the Foundation is built on an inclusive community where everyone, regardless of ability, race, age or gender, is welcome
Celebratory: We celebrate our differences and believe that what makes us different enhances the community, so we celebrate everyone’s diverse and unique backgrounds
Grateful: We choose to recognize that, regardless of our circumstance, there is value in our abilities
Accountable: We hold ourselves as good stewards for upholding our values, leading by example, with integrity, and for promoting the well-being of each person who comes in contact with the Foundation
Compassionate: We help others on their terms. We also are forgiving of ourselves
Passionate: We are driven by a genuine passion to empower people with challenges to push their unique limits and be applauded for their accomplishments
Organizational Transparency
Fostering Trust, Accountability, and Openness
IM ABLE is dedicated to fostering trust through a foundation of transparency, ensuring that every action and decision is clear, accountable, and authentic. By prioritizing open and consistent communication, we hope to create clarity for our community, partners, and stakeholders.