News:

9-5-2005
Schmidt Shows Local Spinal Cord Injured
How He Races through His Weekend at Chicagoland

Sure, no one wakes up in the morning and decides today is the day to become a quadriplegic. There’s no preparation for it and there’s often no end in sight once the condition sets in. Sam Schmidt, owner of Sam Schmidt Motorsports and founder of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, wasn’t prepared, but he’s using the lessons he’s learned on his new voyage to inspire and uplift others that suffer from spinal cord injuries and other paralysis.

On Saturday, Sept. 10, the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation along with Andretti Green Racing and Sunrise Medical will host guests from local Chicago area hospitals and rehabilitation centers for a day of trackside racing action, food and inspiration. The program is called Day At The Races and it’s a chance for Schmidt to share his inspirational story and exciting career.

Schmidt hopes the Day At The Races program will encourage his guests to live life with passion and a purpose, and teach them of key local resources they can use.

“There are a lot of people, even perfectly mobile, who would like a chance to come to the race track, eat food prepared by Andretti Green Racing’s chef, and hang out in the garage and pits while they see IndyCar racing up close and personal. This is a treat, and I love offering it to fellow paralysis victims. For many, it’s their first trip out of their home, or out of their rehab center, and I want them to see that they can fit in and enjoy the world in their circumstances,” explains Schmidt.

Sitting still is a not a characteristic Schmidt has, even as a quadriplegic. He paces, and he’s a workaholic. He’s proof that paralysis doesn’t have to hold a person back from a career, or a fruitful life.

“If it’s one guest, or all of them, I want to make sure someone is inspired to push harder to make sure they aren’t letting life pass them by just because they are in a wheelchair,” said Schmidt.

Schmidt, a former IndyCar racer, was injured in his race car in January of 2000 in a practice session crash before the season began. In his months of rehab, he learned how strong and dedicated he was to his faith and how supportive his family is. He also learned how lucky he was that it was him, Sam Schmidt, in the situation.

“What I learned, when I was in recovery, was that this was not meant to be the end of my journey. As difficult as it is to say, it may have been the beginning of a journey - one I wouldn’t have taken willingly,” explains Schmidt. “I had great insurance and it opened up a wealth of opportunities to me in my rehabilitation and recovery process - opportunities that continue to inspire me to ask that all paralysis victims get such treatments. Not only that, but my family and friends were steadfast. The support I get from them to this day is incredible - it’s something money can not buy.

“Christopher Reeve had become a quadriplegic before me, and I’d learned a lot about the condition from his work making people aware of it. I know it helped me, and it inspired me to pick up where he left off. I don’t even have a fraction of the fame of Reeve, but what I’ve got, I’m using to help people understand spinal cord injuries, deal with them, and, ultimately, to help find a cure for them.”

SSPF strives to help individuals overcome spinal cord injuries. SSPF facilitates scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and raises funds to improve the quality of life of those affected by spinal cord injuries and other debilitating injuries and illnesses.

For more information about the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation visit www.SamSchmidt.org or call (317) 236-9999.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Williams Company of America, Inc. (704) 660-0796