The People Behind
Our Mission
Cole's Choice exists because of real people with real lives, real dreams, and real barriers. Meet the individuals who inspire everything we do.
Grady Hughes
Minneapolis, MN · 24 years of resilience
On December 14, 2001, Grady was struck by a Ford F-350 while riding his bike. He spent 87 days at North Memorial Trauma Center in Minneapolis, the first 42 of them in a coma. The surgeries that followed included brain, eye, and facial reconstruction, removal of his spleen, and repair of a broken femur. The list goes on.
Today, Grady lives with left-side paralysis, legal blindness, no hearing on his left side, and no sense of smell. He manages dystonia with Botox injections every three months. No anesthesia. For years, seizures added another layer of uncertainty to daily life, until a brilliant resident tried a new approach. Grady has been seizure-free for nearly eight years.
"He doesn't let a little left side paralysis, legal blindness, no hearing on the left and no sense of smell get in his way. He is a positive force to be reckoned with."
Grady can't drive. He depends on the people around him for most activities outside the home. And yet, when he sees someone whose challenges are greater than his own, his instinct is to remind those around him to count their blessings. He chooses joy. Every single day.
Cole's Choice is proud to be part of the community that shows up for Grady, creating inclusive experiences that let him explore, connect, and live his fullest life alongside everyone else.
Cole
The heart of Cole's Choice Foundation
Cole is the inspiration behind Cole's Choice Foundation. Full of energy, humor, and a genuine joy that fills every room he enters, his spirit is the standard we hold ourselves to every day. This foundation proudly carries his name because every experience we create is inspired by the life he continues to live and the opportunities every person deserves.
Before his accident, Cole dreamed of a career in law enforcement. He was attending school with hopes of becoming a police officer and had a deep respect for those who serve their communities. Even today, that passion has never faded. If there's a police officer, firefighter, EMT, ambulance, or emergency vehicle nearby, chances are Cole wants to stop, say hello, and learn more. His admiration for first responders remains just as strong as ever.
On May 3, 2015, Cole's life changed forever.
In the early morning hours, Cole was riding his Honda CRF100 dirt bike on a gravel road near his home in rural Minnesota when he lost control of the bike and was thrown over the handlebars. He suffered a catastrophic traumatic brain injury. Shortly before 8:00 a.m., he was found unconscious and barely breathing. Emergency responders rushed to the scene before airlifting him to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC).
Doctors could not predict whether Cole would survive or what his recovery would look like. Like many traumatic brain injuries, there were no guarantees. Only uncertainty, hope, and a long road ahead.
Against incredible odds, Cole survived.
Today, Cole lives in a supported living home, where he receives the care and support he needs while continuing to live a life filled with laughter, friendships, and new experiences. Although his path changed dramatically, the qualities that define him never did. His kindness, resilience, sense of humor, and love for adventure continue to inspire everyone around him.
Those experiences became the inspiration for Cole's Choice Foundation.
We believe every person, regardless of disability or life-altering injury, deserves the opportunity to make lasting memories. Whether it's attending a sporting event, going fishing, enjoying a concert, taking a vacation, meeting first responders, or simply sharing a special day with friends, our mission is to make those moments possible.
"Full of energy, humor, and genuine joy, Cole isn't just the inspiration behind this foundation. He's the reason it exists."
Every event we host, every experience we create, and every life we touch is a reflection of Cole's spirit and a reminder that joy, adventure, and meaningful connections should be accessible to everyone.
Target Field with the Boys
Our first group outing, April 2026 at Target Field in Minneapolis.
Know Someone We Should Meet?
If you or someone you know could benefit from inclusive experiences and community outings. Reach out, or call or text us at 763-400-1571. We'd love to connect.