Our
Story
The Zack Heger Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable foundation started in honor of our son Zack who was diagnosed with a fatal muscle wasting disease, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, when he was just 3 years old. Initially, our goal was to fund vital research for a treatment or cure for DMD.
On May 3, 2022, at age 29, our beloved Zack passed. We chose to follow a mission that reflects what Zack cared about with his whole heart: making sure every person has the chance to experience joy, connection, and a full life through play—without limits. For some, that means having access to community spaces where barriers disappear and people of all abilities feel welcomed, included, and seen. For others, it means being able to escape into the world of video games from the comfort of home, finding freedom, fun, and belonging.
The Zack Heger Foundation is devoted to creating these moments of joy and possibility. We champion accessible recreation for individuals with disabilities—whether physical, neurological, or both—because everyone deserves the chance to play, to explore, and to feel part of something bigger.
Our experience with Zack showed us a hard truth: “accessible” spaces often weren’t truly accessible to him. Too many simple joys—rolling through a park, sharing lunch with friends—were out of reach, and that reality stayed with us.
Today, that understanding fuels our purpose. Whether it’s a community park or a living‑room gaming setup, we believe recreation should be barrier‑free, joyful, and accessible to all.
100% of all donations go to funding the Zack Heger Foundation mission.
Our Mission
While the ZHF mission was initially founded to fund a cure for DMD and improve the lives of those with MD, we have shifted our purpose to focus on methods of improving accessibility to individuals not only impacted by DMD but all disabilities. The foundation donates all proceeds raised to support efforts that make play spaces accessible for all individuals with a disability.
Vision
A world built on inclusive play, where every person can explore, connect, and thrive.
Goal
Create spaces where people of all abilities can play, connect, and enjoy life without barriers.