Our story

No one should face a life-changing moment alone.

Split Second Foundation is a New Orleans nonprofit started by Mark Raymond Jr. and his mother, Ronda Raymond, after Mark’s 2016 spinal cord injury. Today we help aging adults and people impacted by disability build strength and independence through health and wellness services, resource navigation and advocacy.

Our services Meet the founders
Mark Raymond Jr., in his wheelchair, talks with a member working out at the gym.Mark Raymond Jr. speaks from the podium, standing in an exoskeleton, at the Show of Love Gala. Founded by Mark & Ronda Raymond

Mission

Provide comprehensive care, resources and education to people impacted by disability.

Vision

Transforming hope into action.

How it started

A member trains in a standing frame while a specialist looks on.

In July 2016, Mark Raymond Jr. dove from a boat into Lake Pontchartrain and injured the vertebrae at the base of his neck. He lost the ability to walk.

The months that followed showed Mark and his family how few community resources exist for people with new disabilities, and how unequal access to care can be. Medicaid’s outdated asset rules left the family without support, so his mother, Ronda, left her career at Chase Bank to become his full-time caregiver.

Together they founded Split Second Foundation to raise awareness, advocate for people living with disability, and give families clear next steps to improve their quality of life. Our adaptive gym, covered in the press as Louisiana’s first inclusive gym, has since grown into Split Second Health and Wellness.

What we do today

Our approach covers physical, mental and social wellness. We offer adaptive fitness and physical therapy, mental health support, case management and resource navigation, and we are expanding into nutrition, vocational training and financial literacy.

Just as important is belonging. Too often, people with disabilities feel isolated. From the moment you walk through our doors, our goal is for you to feel welcome, comfortable and part of the family.

Why it matters

Disability can affect anyone, suddenly and permanently.

People with disabilities bring strengths, talents and perspectives that make our communities richer. When we remove the barriers that keep them from full participation, everyone benefits.

1 in 4 adults in the United States lives with a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Our values

  • Inclusivity Everyone, regardless of ability, should feel valued and included.
  • Empowerment We give people the tools, resources and support they need to thrive.
  • Compassion We work with empathy for the unique challenges the people we serve face.
  • Innovation We look for new solutions as the needs of our community change.
  • Advocacy We work to remove barriers, promote inclusion and advance equity for people with disabilities.

Our founders

Portrait of Mark Raymond Jr. in a suit and tie.

Mark Raymond Jr.

Founder & CEO

Mark’s commitment to justice and equity grew after his 2016 diving accident. Facing the gaps in care himself, he turned the split second that changed his life into a life of awareness, hope and action, and founded Split Second Foundation to advocate for millions of others.

Mark has a long record of community service across Greater New Orleans, from renaming historic streets and landmarks to building a more accessible rehabilitative health infrastructure in the Gulf South. He serves on several federal, state and local boards and commissions that represent people living with disabilities, including as Chairman of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Board of Commissioners.

  • Gambit’s 40 Under 40
  • New Orleans Magazine’s Ones to Watch
  • Millennial Change Makers Award
  • Xavier University’s 40 Under 40
Portrait of Ronda Raymond smiling.

Ronda Raymond

Co-founder

Born and raised in New Orleans, Ronda is the granddaughter of civil rights attorney A.P. Tureaud and grew up with a deep understanding of justice, service and community.

She built a successful career at Chase Bank, known for her professionalism, leadership and care for clients. When Mark was injured in 2016, she left that career to become his full-time caregiver. Seeing how broken and unequal the system is for families navigating disability, she joined Mark in founding Split Second Foundation so others would not face those challenges alone.

Today she remains the heartbeat of the organization: a loving mother, devoted wife and fearless advocate.

Learn more about us

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ABOUT

 

Our Story

Split Second Foundation's mission is to deliver comprehensive care, resources, education and advocacy to those affected by disabilities, promoting independent living and enhancing their quality of life.

The Split Second Foundation (SSF) is a New Orleans-based nonprofit community care startup dedicated to promoting the holistic wellness of individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to deliver comprehensive care, resources, education and advocacy to those affected by disabilities, promoting independent living and enhancing their quality of life.


At Split Second Foundation, individuals impacted by disability receive comprehensive and compassionate care tailored to their unique needs. Our multidisciplinary approach encompasses physical, mental, and societal wellness, ensuring holistic support for each individual. From fitness programs designed to improve mobility and strength to mental health services offering counseling and emotional support, we address all aspects of well-being. Our dedicated team of professionals provides personalized care, guiding individuals through case management, resource navigation, and advocacy. We strive to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, we are transforming lives and building a more inclusive society for all.


Our focus revolves around community-building. From the instant you step through our doors or engage with our team, our aim is to make you feel comfortable and welcomed as part of our family. Too often, individuals with disabilities experience feelings of isolation in society, but at Split Second Foundation, they discover a genuine sense of belonging.


Our holistic approach prioritizes the physical, mental, and societal wellness of individuals with disabilities. Our comprehensive services encompass physical fitness, mental health support, case management, and resource navigation. Furthermore, we're expanding our offerings to include nutrition programs, vocational training, and financial literacy resources. Our goal is to address the diverse needs of our community and empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives.

Mission


Provide comprehensive care, resources, and education to people impacted by disability.

Vision


Transforming Hope into action.

Values

  • Inclusivity: We believe in creating an environment where everyone, regardless of ability, feels valued and included.
  • Empowerment: We strive to empower individuals with disabilities by providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive.
  • Compassion: We approach our work with empathy and compassion, recognizing the unique challenges faced by those we serve.
  • Innovation: We are committed to seeking innovative solutions and approaches to address the evolving needs of the disability community.
  • Advocacy: We advocate for the rights, needs, and interests of individuals with disabilities, working to dismantle barriers, promote inclusion, and advance social justice and equity.

Why

In the United States, disability affects a significant portion of the population, with approximately one in four individuals living with some form of physical, cognitive, or sensory disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These disabilities can vary widely in nature and severity, ranging from mobility impairments to intellectual disabilities and sensory limitations. Living with a disability often presents numerous challenges, both physical and societal. Individuals with disabilities may face barriers to accessing essential services, including healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. Additionally, they may encounter social stigma and discrimination, which can further exacerbate feelings of isolation and exclusion from mainstream society. Navigating daily life with a disability often requires considerable adaptability and resilience in the face of systemic obstacles and societal misconceptions.

However, despite these challenges, individuals with disabilities possess unique strengths, talents, and perspectives that contribute to the richness and diversity of our communities. By recognizing and addressing the barriers that limit their full participation in society, we can create a more inclusive and equitable world where everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive. Through our holistic approach to wellness and community engagement, we aim to break down barriers, foster inclusion, and promote the well-being and self-determination of all individuals living with disabilities.
A man in a suit and tie smiles for the camera

Mark Raymond, Jr,

Founder & CEO:

Mark Raymond, Jr. is the founder and CEO of The Split Second Foundation (SSF). Based in New Orleans, SSF is a nonprofit healthcare startup dedicated to promoting the holistic wellness of individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to deliver comprehensive care, resources, and education to those affected, fostering resilience and enhancing their quality of life. From fitness programs designed to improve mobility and strength to mental health services offering counseling and emotional support, SSF addresses all aspects of well-being. The dedicated team of professionals provides personalized care, guiding individuals through case management, resource navigation, and advocacy. SSF strives to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. 


Mark’s commitment to fighting for justice and equity was intensified following a shallow diving accident in 2016, in which he damaged the vertebrae by the base of his neck and lost the ability to walk. This life-changing experience illuminated the reality of disparities in access, and there were very few community resources to turn to for help. His new disability and lack of support ultimately pushed him to advocate for millions of others by transforming the split-second that led to his injury into a life filled with awareness, hope, and action. He founded Split Second Foundation to make people aware of a growing population of individuals impacted by disability, advocate for their rights, fund cutting-edge research, and provide clear-cut steps to immediately improve their quality of life.


Mark has a deep-rooted history of serving the community. He has played a vital role in advancing various equity-centered efforts across the Greater New Orleans area and beyond. From renaming historic streets and landmarks in New Orleans to creating a more accessible and robust rehabilitative health infrastructure in the Gulf South, Mark’s aptitude for cultivating relationships and driving coordinated, healing-centered change has been vital to the advancement of those most disadvantaged. He also serves on several federal, state, and local boards and commissions to represent and advocate for people living with disabilities. Notably, he serves as Chairman of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) New Orleans Board of Commissioners, responsible for overseeing the administration, operations, and maintenance of the agency.


Mark’s work within the community and through SSF has earned him numerous awards, including:

- Gambit’s “40 Under 40”

- New Orleans Magazine’s “Ones to Watch”

- Millennial Change Makers Award

- Xavier University’s “40 Under 40”

Ronda Raymond,

Co-Founder

Ronda Raymond’s journey to co-founding the Split Second Foundation is rooted in both personal experience and a deep legacy of public service. Born and raised in New Orleans, Ronda is the proud granddaughter of legendary civil rights attorney A.P. Tureaud, and grew up with a profound understanding of justice, service, and community empowerment.


Before her son’s injury, Ronda built a successful career with Chase Bank, where she was known for her professionalism, leadership, and care for clients. But when her son Mark Raymond, Jr. sustained a spinal cord injury in 2016, her life changed in a split second. Faced with a healthcare system that failed to provide support due to Medicaid’s outdated asset rules, Rhonda made the selfless decision to leave her career to become his full-time caregiver.


It was through this experience that she saw just how broken and inequitable the system is for families navigating disability — especially those who fall through the cracks. Determined to create change, Ronda joined Mark in founding the Split Second Foundation to ensure that others wouldn’t have to face the same challenges alone.


Today, she remains the heartbeat of the organization — a loving mother, devoted wife, and fearless advocate. Her resilience, grace, and legacy of service continue to power the mission forward every day.

A woman in a black shirt is smiling.