Elizabeth Fust
On a cold January morning in 2006, Elizabeth “Liz” Fust’s life changed in an instant. A Louisville native, attorney, and advocate, Fust was healthy and active when, with no warning, she suffered a rare spinal cord stroke. Within 40 minutes, she was paralyzed.
The days that followed were filled with fear and uncertainty. Along with recovering from the stroke, Fust underwent emergency back surgery and faced the reality that her life would never look the same. As a T7 paraplegic, she had to establish an entirely new way of living.
But one thing became immediately clear: She needed to be at UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Institute.
“I felt enormously lucky,” Fust said. “I did not have to leave Louisville to get top-notch, cutting-edge therapy.”
After transferring to Frazier Rehab Institute for inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, Fust discovered not only exceptional clinical care, but also a community dedicated to helping people reclaim their independence. She also witnessed many other patients facing significant challenges and learned a lesson that continues to guide her today: “There’s always someone better off than you, and always someone worse off than you.”
“I had tremendous family support and resources that many people didn’t have. It made me realize how important it is to help others access the care and opportunities they need.”
Inspired to those support patients, Fust began raising funds to support Frazier Rehab Institute’s spinal cord injury program. She also became an advocate for the Community Fitness and Wellness Gym (CFW), a fully accessible gym staffed with exercise professionals and filled with state of the art equipment for individuals with physical disabilities.
Fust’s belief in the CFW inspired her to establish a scholarship initiative that provides financial assistance to those who cannot afford gym memberships and specialized services. Through her fundraising efforts, countless people have gained access to adaptive fitness opportunities that support their long-term health and well-being.
“The Community Fitness and Wellness Gym has been a lifesaver for me,” Fust said. “It allowed me to rebuild my strength and continue the exercise that’s vital for people with physical disabilities.”
Fust’s advocacy eventually expanded beyond Frazier Rehab Institute. Informed by her experience as a wheelchair-user, she saw the larger need for more accessible wellness programs, health care, housing, and transportation in Louisville. In 2018, she founded Gathering Strength to continue her support of Frazier Rehab Institute and to empower people living with disabilities to achieve better health, independence, and community connection. Today, Gathering Strength continues to provide resources and opportunities that help individuals stay active and connected.
As a member of the Frazier Rehab Institute Board of Trustees, Fust remains committed to ensuring others can access the same life-changing care she received. She encourages community members to support Frazier Rehab Institute in whatever ways they can: through volunteering, sharing their stories, completing patient satisfaction surveys, or making financial contributions.
“There are lots of ways people can help,” she said. “Every contribution matters.”
Fust often describes Frazier Rehab Institute as a form of community insurance.
“You hope you never have to use it,” she said. “But you would never think of not investing in it.”
To invest in cutting-edge therapy like Liz, make a gift to Frazier Rehab today.