Ryan Straschnitzki, the former Humboldt Bronco that was in the bus crash in 2018, has restarted The Straz Strong Foundation, but for a different cause. 

“The Straz Strong Foundation started when I was in the hospital back in 2018. It was for people to donate hats with the number 10 on them and raise some funds towards my rehabilitation needs. Just recently, I decided to bring it back and get it started again.” 

Straschnitzki says he started the foundation up again as a way to say thank you to everyone who’s helped him and his Humboldt teammates. 

“The main point was to give back because a lot of people have given so much to me and the survivors of the Humboldt accident that I think it's important to give back as well. Some of these people's stories are just so inspiring and just make you want to give back. So that's why I'm starting it up and trying to make a change one step at a time.” 

Straschnitzki says it's important to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and whether that be through the power of sport, through rehabilitation needs, events, or social awareness. 

“I think everyone has a has a place in this world for that kind of thing. I think it's important to spread the word and let people know that when one door closes, another one opens.” 

In his own rehabilitation, Straschnitzki recently had some remapping done on his Epidural Stimulator Implant in Calgary. 

“It was to work on the muscles a little bit more. We decided to find some new programs for different activities. It's still a work in progress, but we're seeing slow incremental steps towards hopefully, unassisted walking someday.” 

For more information on the Straschnitzki Foundation, visit thestrazstrongfoundation.com.