WASHINGTON -- Taking a tragedy and making a movement.
That's what former Georgetown football player, Janne Kouri did after suffering a spinal cord injury in a diving accident.
His 3000+ mile journey from LA to DC, called The Ride for Paralysis, ended at his alma mater.
Kouri crossed the finish line at Georgetown University' Healy Gates around 12:50 pm Wednesday.
"I definitely need a nap, but I'm glad we made it safe and sound," said Kouri. "Right now I'm overwhelmed with this welcome."
He said he was inspired by friends who rode from Denver to LA for the Wounded Warrior Project and just wanted to do something.
"I been talking about it for a few years and didn't do anything about it, so finally in December we said we're gonna go for it," said Janne Kouri.
Kouri's cross-country trek is helping raise awareness for people with paralysis.
He says there isn't much for them after their insurance runs out.
"Right now insurance drops people after 36 days of rehab and you sit home and don't have anywhere to go for the rest of your life," said Kouri. "And if that's the case there's a very good likelihood you're going to suffer from secondary complications that are potentially life threatening. So what we're doing is building these centers in communities across the country so people have access to the best in rehab and fitness when they're living with paralysis."
His Georgetown classmate, Sol Tucker says Kouri made the most of a difficult situation.
"He took a freak accident and turned it into something that will change people's lives and will continue to change lives forever," said Tucker.
His wife, Susan Moffat agrees.
"I think he raised awareness for everyone living with paralysis across the country and the globe," said Janne's wife.
High school and college friends, as well as family, crossed the finish line with him.
Kouri is the founder of Nexstep.