Social impact organization’s #HelpOneHelpMany approach recognized for supporting individuals suffering from ALS and amputation
AUGUST 3, 2015 – VENICE BEACH, Calif. – Since winning a South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Interactive Innovation Award in the Innovative 3 DIY category in March 2015, Not Impossible – an organization whose mission is to develop technology for the sake of humanity – continues to receive accolades from organizations like the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and Medical Research Institute, No Barriers USA, the Small Business Council of America (SBCA), the One Club and the Telly Awards.
At SXSW Interactive, Not Impossible was recognized for Project Daniel, an effort to create 3D-printed prosthetic arms and improve the quality of life for Daniel, a 14-year-old South Sudanese boy whose arms were destroyed after a bomb blast. In the process, Not Impossible set up the world’s first 3-D printing prosthetic lab and training facility to help other amputees.
Not Impossible and its founder and CEO Mick Ebeling received three awards including the prestigious 2015 Burke Award in June from the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and the Burke Medical Research Institute. The Burke Award is conferred upon someone who has made significant contributions to the field of rehabilitation. The SBCA also bestowed the Humanitarian of the Year award to Ebeling in May 2015. The award recognizes small business owners who demonstrate a charitable commitment based upon a time commitment and other support activities, and who are clearly committed to making the world a better place for people in need. And, in July, No Barriers recognized Not Impossible with an Innovation Award at the No Barriers Summit at Park City, Utah.
“We are humbled that our work continues to receive such widespread support and recognition,” Not Impossible founder and CEO Mick Ebeling said. “Our success is predicated on the notion of not-impossible thinking combined with the maker in all of us. When we come together to help one person, we can help many, and, ultimately, we can make a difference.”
Not Impossible project Don’s Voice was also honored with six awards, including three One Show awards and three Telly awards. Don’s Voice is the story of Don Moir, who was diagnosed with ALS and increasingly lost motor-neurological function to the point where he needed a ventilator, rendering him unable to speak. In collaboration with Speak Your Mind Foundation, the Not Impossible team created a custom solution for Don, allowing him to speak again, and making Don’s software available as freeware. The One Club, the world’s foremost non-profit organization devoted to elevating creative work in the industry, bestowed a Silver Pencil, Bronze Pencil and Merit Award to Not Impossible for Don’s Voice. The Telly Awards, which honors the very best film and video productions, ground breaking online video content and outstanding TV commercials and programs, also conferred their top honor of a Silver Telly and two Bronze Telly Awards to Not Impossible for Don’s Voice.
A listing of recent awards includes:
- The Burke Award – for Mick Ebeling, Not Impossible founder and CEO
- No Barriers Summit 2015 Award for Innovation
- SBCA’s Humanitarian of the Year Award – for Mick Ebeling, Not Impossible founder and CEO
- One Show Silver Pencil: Interactive (Public Service/Non-Profit) – for Don’s Voice
- One Show Bronze Pencil: Branded Entertainment (Online) – for Don’s Voice
- One Show Merit Award: Design – for Don’s Voice
- Silver Telly Award: Online Video (Documentary) – for Don’s Voice
- Bronze Telly Award: Online Video (Social Responsibility) – for Don’s Voice
- Bronze Telly Award: Online Video (Cause Marketing) – for Don’s Voice
About Not Impossible
Not Impossible was founded on the belief that nothing is impossible. The organization is driven to help many by pursuing technologies outside traditional means and telling the story of extraordinary individuals overcoming obstacles. Founded by Mick Ebeling and Elliot Kotek, the Venice Beach-based Not Impossible disrupts the status quo by applying the crowd to solve problems for the vulnerable and distributing those solutions far and wide. In the last two years, the company has earned multiple Cannes Lions Awards, One Show Pencils, Telly Awards, AICP Cause Marketing Awards, SXSW Interactive’s Innovation Award, the Muhammad Ali Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year Award and many others. Media coverage of Not Impossible projects has generated over 1 billion earned media impressions. To learn more, visit www.notimpossible.com.
