A wise philosopher once observed, “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity while the optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” Robin Cleary is a woman who sees an opportunity to help find a cure for paralysis and free thousands from the confinement and limitations of their wheelchairs. Her goal is quite simple, “to tell my story to every person and organization until we have raised enough money to free everyone from their wheelchairs,” she said.

Cleary was left paralyzed from an accident while galloping horses at Calder Race Course eight years ago. Despite the devastating injury which left her a quadriplegic Cleary did not give up. “The accident provided me with a choice; either to let the injury dictate the way I might spend the remainder of my life, or do something about it,” she said. “I guess you could call it motivation. I truly believe that what I’m doing is making a difference as researchers and physicians at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis move closer to a cure,” she added. “In my heart I know that everyone will be able to get out of their wheelchairs much faster because of the generous support of the horse and racing industry.”

Cleary’s specific interest in The Miami Project rests in the organization’s total commitment to find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure for paralysis. “When I learned that Dr. Dietrich (scientific director) was expanding the Miami Project’s regeneration research programs, I knew I needed to become actively involved,” she said. With the help and encouragement of her husband and fellow trainer Brian, she went from track to track, jockey-to-jockey and trainer to trainer and shared her life altering experience of being unable to move from the neck down and how the horse industry could help others afflicted with spinal cord injuries.

Cleary has raised nearly $600,000 over the past eight years totally through the thoroughbred industry. Although many of her friends and associates refer to her as a hero, Cleary is quick to dismiss the notion. “I don’t consider myself a hero. I am just trying to do the best with the resources I can draw from,” she noted. “If I didn’t have the support of the horse business and the horse racing community I would never have been able to raise this amount of money,” she added.

Support for the Robin Cleary Paralysis Fund and her local campaign, Bet on a Cure, comes in many different forms. “The racing community has been extremely generous in supporting my efforts. Every aspect of the industry from tack shops to the van lines transporting horses, from professional horse owners associations to companies selling to the horse industry have all been supportive of my efforts.”

“It is an amazing story,” notes Scott Roy, Director of Communications for The Miami Project. “Something like this has never been done before. For one person to go stall-to-stall, barn-to-barn and raise this kind of money at the grass roots level is incredible. “

For Cleary the days are spent working with Brian training their small stable of horses in addition to her grass roots fund raising. In the past year Cleary has been able to use a robotic walking system, which simulates the walking motion. “That was the most exhilarating feeling I had since my injury eight years ago,” she said. “”I actually felt like I was walking as my feet were hitting the treadmill each time. I felt my legs go up and down. My muscles were still working. I felt like I was walking again!”

Although Cleary has raised nearly $600,000 and has a conference room named after her in The Miami Project’s research building, she only has one wish. She simply wants to get out of her wheelchair and walk again. “I hope I don’t have to raise another half million dollars before that day finally arrives,” she reflectively said.