DONATE HERE TO SUPPORT TOPS!
As a charitable nonprofit community service, Twisted Outreach Project for Back Care & Scoliosis (TOPS) relies on funding and sponsorship from foundations, as well as through class fees and personal donations.
These contributions help sustain our current classes, workshops, retreats, private consultations, outreach programs, and online resources.
Your donation through TOPS directly or GBK Foundation (more information below) will ensure we continue to grow and provide greater access to these vital services! Thank you for your support!!
TOPS strives to provide a broad range of online resources, services, and support to the back care and scoliosis community, not only in Vancouver, but across North America - and more recently, globally.
Your donation supports programming and resource development, including the ongoing growth and maintenance of our online hub in addition to in-person experiences, and the administrative support required to make it happen.
The Giving Back Kindness Foundation (GBK) was established on Vancouver Island in 2021. Our mission is to support a broad spectrum of health and wellness related projects - with a special focus on back care and scoliosis. In addition to supporting TOPS’ training scholarship program for low income and others in need, the Giving Back Kindness Foundation also assists other charitable organizations with their own initiatives that align with this vision.
GBK Funding is restricted to organizations like TOPS (as opposed to individuals), who are recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency as 'charitable organizations’ and able to provide a corresponding registration number.
BACKGROUND
Martha's show 'TWiSTED' by Vancouver painter and long-time friend John Ferrie, an original MMP board member who donated artwork to Mayhem every year!
In 2009, Martha Carter, director of Marta Marta Productions, created and performed her acclaimed piece ‘TWiSTED'—her scoliosis story—on stage as an interdisciplinary performance work. Shortly after, she founded TWiSTED OUTREACH PROJECT (TOPS) to offer unique and dynamic support for others with scoliosis.
Since then, TOPS has grown to be one of the foremost organizations addressing scoliosis in North America, and our website has been described as: "One of the most comprehensive resource guides to scoliosis and spinal fusion for yoga and all types of complementary therapies, as well as firsthand accounts of [Martha's] and others' experiences." - Deborah Wolk
2024 marks our 14 year anniversary at Twisted Outreach Project. Each year, we hold an annual fundraising initiative. It’s taken on a few forms over the years—from a big dance party, to an online media event.
This year, we are simply asking for support from wherever you are, in whatever way you can.
A BIT ABOUT OUR WORK
Since its inception, TOPS has provided a variety of classes, workshops, retreats and lectures on a range of topics including:
Stretching and yoga for scoliosis
Dance for scoliosis
Applied anatomy for scoliosis
Mindfulness
Feldenkrais for scoliosis
Pilates for scoliosis
Ayurveda for scoliosis
Massage for scoliosis
Women’s yoga for scoliosis
Movement and stretching for scoliosis fusions
In 2014 we received a grant from the Rick Hansen Foundation to start a research project on how to better support teens with scoliosis. This research was conducted in cooperation with the UBC Department of Kinesiology.
