Posted on September 25th, 2025

This fall, Moving With HOPE (MWH) will mark a milestone: 15 years of delivering affordable, science-based rehabilitation to people living with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, strokes, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.

To celebrate, MWH is opening its doors for a 15th Anniversary Open House on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at its Shelton headquarters, 30 Controls Drive. The event runs from 2:00–5:00 PM, with a ribbon cutting at 4:00 PM.

Visitors will have the chance to see the latest FDA-approved equipment in action, explore innovative programs, and learn about the nonprofit’s next big step: a mobile rehab unit designed to bring specialized care directly into Connecticut communities.

A Legacy of Community and Innovation

For founders Tad and Joanne Duni, this celebration is the latest chapter in a story that began more than 40 years ago.

In 1984, Tad launched Life Designs in downtown Shelton — the first community-based rehab facility of its kind in Connecticut, and possibly in North America. At a time when rehabilitation often meant long hospital stays, Life Designs introduced treadmills and adaptive equipment into outpatient rehab. Joanne, then a physical therapist at Yale–New Haven Hospital, joined Tad in advancing the model.

“For more than 40 years, Joanne and I have worked to remove barriers to care,” said Tad Duni, Co-Founder & Clinical Director. “With the support of our community and partners, we’re entering a new chapter — one where innovation, access, and hope are the foundation of rehabilitation in Connecticut.” 

Over the decades, the Dunis expanded services, co-founded local traditions like Shelton Day, and built bridges between healthcare and community life. In 2010, they established Moving With HOPE as a nonprofit to ensure rehabilitation was affordable and accessible for all.

Building Momentum

From weathering the challenges of the pandemic to expanding into North Haven in 2024, MWH has consistently adapted and grown. In the past year alone, the nonprofit secured over $130,000 in grants and donations from partners like the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA), the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, and the Valley Community Foundation.

That support is fueling the acquisition of cutting-edge rehabilitation technology, including two ARC-EX spinal cord stimulators (MWH is the only nonprofit in the U.S. to own two), SMARTfit dual-task training systems, and the Bioness Integrated Therapy System (BITS). These advances will power both clinic-based programs and the upcoming pilot study with Quinnipiac University.

“Moving With HOPE is a trusted leader in community-based rehabilitation,” said Michele Tarantino, OTD, Clinical Assistant Professor at Quinnipiac and Principal Investigator of the study. “I’m proud to support their innovation and impact in Connecticut.”

Looking Ahead

The mobile rehab unit, set to launch in 2025–2026, will be a turning point. For clients like Everett Mosher, a spinal cord injury survivor and longtime MWH participant, it represents the heart of the mission.

“Moving With HOPE has been part of my life for more than a decade,” Everett shared. “As a former Shelton resident now living in Durham, I’m thrilled the new mobile unit will bring care closer to home — proof this model truly meets people where they are.”

Join the Celebration

The 15th Anniversary Open House is more than an event — it’s a chance to witness firsthand how innovation and community commitment are shaping the future of rehabilitation in Connecticut.

📅 Wednesday, October 8, 2025
🕑 2:00–5:00 PM (Ribbon Cutting at 4:00 PM)
📍 30 Controls Drive, Shelton, CT