Meet Ashley
Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker
Founder of Your Excuse is Invalid
Your Mind is a Powerful Thing.
Ashley Green
Your Excuse is Invalid was established after Founder, Ashley Green, battled through multiple leg surgeries over eight years after a hit-and-run accident. With several revision surgeries resulting in an eventual leg amputation and recovery from a spinal mass in 2019 which tragically resulted in a T6 and T9 spinal cord injury. Ashley has also endured the crazy world of Autonomic Dysreflexia due to this spinal cord injury. Ashley really tuned in to how important mindset is when going through this sort of situation and how even the smallest gesture can show someone they are not alone. Ashley's community of family and friends helped push her forward and not only inspired her journey, but also inspired her to start Your Excuse is Invalid to inspire others in their journeys.
Ashley and her families eyes were opened to the gaps in the healthcare system and how difficult it can really be to get the proper equipment, training and medical aid needed to remain active and healthy both physically and mentally. Ashley had always been an athlete and after her injuries she learned even more the importance of physical fitness and sports for not only physical health but for mental health as well.
A dream came true in January 2019, when a talented group/Board (composed of many whom were helpful and a part of Ashley's recovery) came together and Your Excuse is Invalid became a NFP and grant program for those who want to remain active as an amputee and anyone with any other physical disability who wants to remain active. We aim to show individuals enduring hard medical circumstances that with the right equipment, mindset, and support system they can accomplish any and all of their dreams.
At Your Excuse is Invalid we have many parts to our mission in our community and across the country. We work to provide equipment grants, adaptive sports camp grants, mentorship, sunshine boxes, parent care packages, sibling care packs, family extended stay bags, spinal cord injury bags, adaptive training, and our most current project aiding our local park district build an all adaptive playground and park in memory of Ashley's Great Aunt Angela Green whom was a huge inspiration and support to Ashley and loved all children.
Sunshine Boxes
A Story of Sunshine In The Storm
Sunshine Boxes are an amazing service that Your Excuse is Invalid Provides to show those going through trying circumstances that they are not alone. Our Sunshine Boxes were inspired by two of our very own amazing board member Bre Reynolds and Kim Schmidgall. While Ashley was in the hospital recovering from countless rough procedures Bre went above and beyond the call of duty as Ashley's physical therapist and would come visit and bring Ashley a coffee and a small gift to help her pass the time. Kim Schmidgall was like a second mom and would bring the cutest little themed bags of goodies to pass the time. This small very kind gesture was a breath of fresh air in a very trying time in Ashley's life and helped her know that she was not alone. Thus because Ashley wanted to do this for others as well Sunshine Boxes were born.
What Is A Sunshine Box?
Each Sunshine Box is individually packed to suit the needs of each individual (Adult to Child) we are being called to serve. We include both practical items (chapstick, snacks, body wipes, dry shampoo, etc.) as well as items to help each individual pass the time and keep their mind busy (such as toys, games, puzzles, coloring/art materials, etc.).