In 1998 Charlie Parkhill suffered a life changing accident from an ocean wave, while vacationing in Mexico with his wife. The resulting incomplete spinal cord injury left him motionless from the neck down. He decided to make physical rehabilitation his single focus.

The problem was, there was no model or protocol for extended, high intensity rehab for spinal cord injuries.

Physical therapist Polly Swingle, however, knew there could be more, and in Charlie, she found someone that would unconditionally put himself in her hands if she could stretch the envelope. Sometimes creating techniques on the run, Polly started him on an un-weighted treadmill program, before it was a recognized treatment, and took him from the first three minute session with 150 lbs un-weighted, to 40 minutes with no un-weighting.  Progressing through walkers and crutches, Charlie took his first three unassisted steps in 2005 and has recently taken 104.

On October 1, 2003 Polly and Charlie founded:

The Recovery Project,LLC

Our Mission:

We, along with the rest of the world, hope for a cure for paralysis in our lifetime. Regardless of whether the cure comes in 5, 10 or 50 years, we believe that individuals with spinal cord and other neurological injuries should pursue increased physical functionality and fitness.

While researchers seek the remedy, our mission is to improve the lives and functionality of individuals with these injuries by providing an environment in which to rehabilitate, recover and stay fit.

We will devote our expertise, dedication and passion to assist our clients in the pursuit of their goals.