HISTORY
Heidi VanArnem was sixteen when her life and future were changed in one split second when she was shot through the neck, completely severing her spinal cord. She was rendered a quadriplegic.

Heidi graduated in 1989, from Oakland University. After college, she attended The University of Detroit Law School. In 1989, Heidi founded a full service travel agency that services all travelers, especially people with disabilities. In 1998, she started iCan, Inc. the leading information and communications gateway for people with disabilities; providing services and solutions for leaders in business. Invited by the Detroit News to write a weekly column called Disability Today, she wrote for the largest paper in Michigan and was appointed by Governor John Engler to the Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns. Heidi has been the recipient of many national awards including Top 25 Women on the Web, the Evan Kemp Entrepreneur of the Year by the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the Da Vinci Accessibility Award for information technology and the Blue Chip Initiative Award for Small Business Achievement by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Heidi was also a frequent guest speaker for civic, social, and educational organizations. Her very innovative “Spend a Day in a Wheelchair” program teaches young people firsthand about life with a disability. Students throughout Michigan experience their day in a wheelchair learning about the realities of spinal cord injuries. “Spend a Day in a Wheelchair” program educates students through workshops, videos and assemblies.

On November 11, 2001 Heidi Passed away of acute respiratory failure. It is through her foundation that the vision she had crafted will be carried on, the vision to change the world for people with disabilities.

At the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, Heidi is featured on the Wall of Fame as one of 200 outstanding Americans of the 20th century, from former US Presidents to sports heroes, from scientists to civil rights leaders, as well as 19 American Nobel Peace Prize winners.

In December 2001, the Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns has renamed one of their programs, the Heidi Van Arnem Michigan Youth Leadership Forum to honor her legacy as a Commissioner and an advocate for people with disabilities.

PEOPLE
With no administrative overhead, HVAF relies on key people who donate their time, services and expertise. All of the people involved with the foundation are essential to the continued success of HVAF. Since the foundation's establishment in 1992, over 1 million dollars has been raised for spinal cord research through various special events. Each fundraising event depends on both the people listed to the right and the gracious committees who volunteer their time.

ICAN
Heidi Van Arnem founded iCan! Inc. to create a trusted media voice for the disability community and a corporate services company for leaders of business. Heidi served as chairwoman and chief executive officer until her death Nov. 11, 2001. In 1999, Heidi launched iCan.com - a comprehensive collection of news, information and resources that serves as a communication platform for the collective voice of the disability population. She then expanded iCan!’s scope, partnering with such corporations as General Motors and America Online to provide a suite of products and services designed to evaluate, prepare and promote corporate commitment to the disability market.

The combination of media and corporate services is designed to create life changing opportunities for the nation’s largest, most underserved population: people with disabilities. Heidi – a successful businesswoman, entrepreneur and inventor – was recognized by such media outlets as USA Today and the New York Times for her leadership position in the disability community. She also won numerous awards and accolades for business achievements and community outreach including: Upside Magazine’s Top 25 Women on the Web, Evan Kemp’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Ben & Jerry’s “Citizen Cool”, Wyndham Hotels “Woman on her Way”, The da Vinci Award for Information Technology.

In 2002 Heidi’s family accepted several awards on her behalf including the Office Depot Visionary Award, the first Small Business Development Lifetime Achievement award from the MDCD, called the Heidi Van Arnem Award, and Oakland University’s prestigious Odyssey Award.

Heidi’s story also appears in a display at the Liberty Museum of Philadelphia that honors 200 outstanding Americans of the 20th Century. Heidi is recognized for her achievements and advocacy of the disability community.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Phone: 248-840-1155