Founder Story
Building clarity, motivation, and real-world independence after spinal cord injury. I created Adaptly because recovery shouldn’t feel like guesswork—and because people deserve guidance that respects their priorities, not just their diagnosis.
Hi, I’m David.
My life with disability began three years ago after a spinal cord injury that left me a C4–C5 quadriplegic. In the early days, motivation was hard to find, but through goal-oriented thinking, I began creating my own workouts, systems, and daily processes to slowly regain independence.
After three months in inpatient rehab and two additional years of therapy, I realized that while healthcare provides treatment, it often lacks personalized guidance—especially when it comes to understanding your condition and setting goals that actually matter to you. It wasn’t until I moved out and lived independently that I truly learned what independence meant.
One specific moment changed everything: a parent congratulated me on my progress, and I realized those milestones hadn’t come from a structured roadmap or clear education—I had built them myself. That realization highlighted the one thing I wish I had received in inpatient therapy: basic, accessible information to understand my condition and set meaningful goals.
That moment became the foundation for Adaptly—a platform created to help people take ownership of recovery, pursue independence with clarity, and prove that disability does not erase our ability to grow, contribute, and give back to the world.
Why Adaptly Exists
Recovery is already hard. Confusion shouldn’t be part of it. Adaptly is being built to help people:
- Understand their condition in plain language
- Set meaningful goals (not generic checklists)
- Track progress and build momentum
- Find resources and support that actually fits their life
The Problem I’m Solving
After rehab ends, many people are left asking:
“What should I focus on first?”
“What does progress actually look like for me?”
“Where do I find reliable info without drowning in it?”
“How do I stay consistent when motivation drops?”
Adaptly is designed to answer those questions with structure, clarity, and empathy.
What I Believe
Small wins are not small. They compound.
Independence is personal. The goal is your life, not someone else’s checklist.
Guidance should be accessible. You shouldn’t need a medical degree to understand your body.
Disability doesn’t delete ambition. It just changes the path.