It was during the 2005 snowboard season when snowboarder/founder Johnny Centi was working through a serious herniated L4-L5 spinal injury he incurred while snowboarding. Johnny (like millions of 19-29 year olds) was riding without health insurance when he caught his edge mid spin on a kicker. After the fourth month of enduring pain John was blessed with the opportunity to seek help and received an MRI. The MRI results concluded that John needed a lumbar fusion of his spinal discs, a very specific and expensive surgery. Due to his financial situation and health insurance providers “preexisting conditions” policies he couldn’t afford the expensive surgery. After considerable pain and discouragement with the private health care system, John searched for an alternative method to heal his back. Eventually he was able to participate in a recovery plan with a physical therapists. After this gruesome experience John and his partners formed the Injured Riders Foundation to provide meaningful help to those in similar situations