Blog

"Triumph was a lifeline that opened
a whole new world to us!"

Before his injury, Arthur lived a life that many would call extraordinary. A Hollywood prop builder by trade, he spent his days creating movie magic—constructing the environments and objects that help tell the world’s biggest stories.

Off the clock, Arthur was an adventurer at heart. Surfing, mountain biking, hiking—anything that put him outside, chasing beauty and adrenaline—was part of his everyday rhythm.

That all changed in an instant.

While vacationing in Spain with his wife and close friends, Arthur dove into the ocean, unaware of the rock hidden just beneath the surface. The impact left him paralyzed. He woke up days later, after emergency surgery, in a foreign hospital—his life forever changed.

He stayed overseas for five long months before returning to the U.S., physically battered and emotionally unmoored.

“We didn’t know anything,” Arthur said. “Nothing about wheelchairs. Nothing about what happens after the hospital. We were completely lost.”

That’s when Triumph Foundation entered his life. A trained Triumph Ambassador, someone who had also experienced a spinal cord injury, came to visit—not with answers to everything, but with something even more important: understanding, hope, and resources to help Arthur and his wife navigate this new world.

It was more than a gesture. It was a turning point.

Arthur began to see that life wasn’t over—it was just different. Slowly, he began to rebuild. And while he could no longer run trails or hop on a mountain bike, his love for the outdoors never faded. Incredibly, he even found his way back to the ocean.

With adaptive equipment and a spirit that refuses to quit, Arthur is surfing again—feeling the same rush of freedom and connection that makes him feel alive.

Today, Arthur is giving back in a powerful way. As a trained Triumph Ambassador, he will now be visiting others who are newly injured—offering the same comfort, resources, and encouragement he once needed. He is proving that even after tragedy, there’s still a path forward.

Arthur’s story is a testament to resilience and the deep human need to stay connected—to each other, to nature, and to purpose.

Thanks to the support of people like you, stories like Arthur's are possible.

Watch Arthur's story in his own words below.

Triumph Gala - Save the Date

We are thrilled to announce the Triumph Foundation 2025 Gala – happening on Thursday, August 7th at the iconic Peterson Museum in Los Angeles.

This year’s theme, Rebuilding Lives, Redefining Strength, captures the heart of our mission.

Triumph Foundation meets people in the aftermath of a spinal cord injury – often at the most vulnerable time in their lives – and surrounds them with empathy, understand, community, and hope.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of craft cocktails, gourmet appetizers, live entertainment, and meaningful moments.

We’ll have our popular silent auction plus an all-new live auction experience. It’ll be a celebration of resilience, connection, and transformation.

Don’t miss this exciting Triumph Foundation tradition that supports our programs all year long.

Every ticket, every dollar, brings hope to someone rebuilding their life.

"We will educate, support, and empower people to triumph over adversity, embrace life's possibilities, and keep moving forward together." - Andrew Skinner

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