August 11, 2009
WORKING 2 WALK CONFERENCE, CHICAGO 8/28-8/29/2009
Unite 2 Fight Paralysis, Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation Collaborate To Present Working 2 Walk Conference

CHICAGO (August 11, 2009) – The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation is pleased to announce its partnership with Unite 2 Fight to present the 4th Annual Working 2 Walk (W2W) Conference on August 28th and 29th at The Hyatt Lodge at McDonald's Campus in Chicago.  Working 2 Walk, which has moved its conference from Washington D....   more→

August 11, 2009
2009 NATIONAL JUNIOR DISABILITY CHAMPIONSHIPS
SSPF Recognized for Grant to North Jersey Navigators Adaptive Sports Team

The 2009 National Junior Disability Championships (NJDC) were held this month in St. Louis, Missouri.  NJDC and the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) Junior World Championship games give young athletes with disabilities an opportunity to participate in an encouraging venue, in competition against the top athletes from the U....   more→

August 3, 2009
MAJOR ADVANCE IN SPINAL CORD INJURY RESEARCH
Reprinted from HealthDay News

MONDAY, Aug. 3 (HealthDay News) -- In a finding that is a major advance in spinal cord injury research, U.S. scientists report that regenerating axons can be guided to their correct targets where they can re-form connections after spinal cord injury. Previous research showed that severed axons -- long, slender projections of a nerve cell that conduct electrical impulses -- can be coaxed to regenerate into and beyond sites of spinal cord injury....   more→

July 31, 2009
DAY AT THE RACES, KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY
A Fantastic Day in the Bluegrass State

What a terrific turnout for the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation’s “Day at the Races” event at Kentucky Speedway on Friday, July 31!  The program is designed for people with spinal cord injuries and other physical challenges to spend a day at the racetrack enjoying the ambiance, learning about racing and watching some racing action....   more→

July 29, 2009
BUILT2WIN DREAM HOUSE RAFFLE
Register to Win!

How does a comfortable, well-appointed 5,000 square foot dream home outside of Indianapolis sound to you?  Enter to win this elegant, brand new home located in the quiet, upscale Schildmeier Village in Hancock County. New Palestine is a beautiful community with excellent schools, youth sports programs and activities, and the perfect mixture of country and city life....   more→

July 29, 2009
PASSIONS AND POSSIBILITIES PROJECT
Online Radio Show

If you missed Sam’s interview on the Passions and Possibilities Project last week, you can visit http://tinyurl.com/l9g8ob to hear his story of inspiration and determination.  The online radio show welcomes guests weekly to share their stories of ups and downs as they stay committed to their dreams, regardless of their circumstances, as a way to inspire others who are getting ready to make their first leap towards their passion....   more→

July 15, 2009
RUN, WALK and WHEELATHON - Toronoto Canada
Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and Shoot for a Cure Moto Sport

(TORONTO, ON) – July 15, 2009 – On Thursday July 9th, over 400 runners, walkers and wheelers joined the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and Shoot For A Cure Moto Sport at the RUN, WALK and WHEELATHON, presented by the Toronto Sun.  Approximately $12,000 was raised while uniting various organizations, who together are working to combat road racing and to find a cure for paralysis....   more→

July 14, 2009
PERCEIVED BARRIERS TO EXERCISE - RESEARCH SURVEY
from Kim Anderson-Erisman, Ph.D., Assistant Adjunct Professor, Reeve-Irvine Research Center Dept. Neurological Surgery

In collaboration with Dr. Mark Nash at the Miami Project, the Reeve-Irvine Research Center is conducting a research study to determine more details about the perceived barriers to exercise experienced by men and women with spinal cord injuries.  The information gained from this study will provide valuable information to scientists who study how exercise influences different aspects of health, specific to SCI....   more→

July 2, 2009
WALK AND ROLL FOR A CURE
Reprinted from indycar.com

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and Shoot For A Cure Moto-Sport are offering a unique experience of the Honda Indy Toronto prior to the event. Race fans can participate in the first Honda Indy Toronto Run, Walk n' Wheelathon on the race circuit July 8 at Toronto's Exhibition Place alongside celebrities and drivers....   more→

June 14, 2009
SAM SCHMIDT PARALYSIS FOUNDATION FEATURED IN "DISABLED DEALER" AND YOU TUBE
Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS - The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation has been featured in the Disabled Dealer Magazine of California, Nevada, and Arizona.  The online magazine aims to make those in the region affected by disability aware of the services and resources available to them.  As a part of their efforts, they have dedicated a page to the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation....   more→

June 8, 2009
INDY 500 PROGRAM 2009
An Unforgettable Weekend

On May 20, 2009 the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation welcomed nine special guests to Indianapolis for a memorable weekend, an annual experience we call the “Indy 500 Program”.  In exchange for their generous support of SSPF, these nine were introduced to the exciting world of Indycar racing and the Indianapolis 500, the Greatest Spectacle in Motorsports, with access that only a few world leaders and celebrities typically receive....   more→

May 19, 2009
#99 HER ENERGY TEAM TO EMBRACE MORE PINK FOR SAM SCHMIDT PARALYSIS
Sam Schmidt Motorsports Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS - Sam Schmidt Motorsports, having been dressed in pink gear all month long, has decided to take advantage of the attention to raise funds in a pledge drive for the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation. One team member will dye their hair pink per $10,000 pledged to the Foundation.  Thus, if the foundation were to raise $100,000, 10 team members will crew the car for the 2009 Indianapolis 500 with pink hair....   more→

May 19, 2009
2nd ANNUAL DISABILITY LEADERSHIP & POLICY SUMMIT
reprinted from NSCIA

2nd Annual Disability Leadership & Policy Summit: Health Issues and People with Disabilities – Implications for the New Suburbia Wednesday, June 3, 2009 1pm–5pm — Hofstra University– Student Center, Hempstead, New York Admission to Policy Summit is FREE To register please visit www.unitedspinal....   more→

May 19, 2009
SSPF'S 10th ANNUAL RACING TO RECOVERY GALA RAISES OVER $250,000 TO FUND PARALYSIS RESEARCH
Festive Evening Included a Live Auction, Dinner, Drivers, Entertainment and Awards

  INDIANAPOLIS (May 19, 2009) - Each year the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation plays host for the Racing to Recovery Gala to celebrate and recognize the achievements of the Foundation, its partners and its supporters.  Over 500 people attended the tenth anniversary gala, which helped to raise over $250,000 to fund research to help discover a cure for paralysis and to help those with disabling spinal cord injuries....   more→

May 4, 2009
BALLOON FESTIVAL IN INDIANAPOLIS
Sam Schmidt in a Hot Air Balloon

  On Saturday, May 2nd, the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation sponsored the winning hot air balloon in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Centennial Era Balloon Festival.  Sam Schmidt himself got to go up in the balloon the very next day.  He said of the experience, "Fantastic opportunity to be flying in the race this morning....   more→

April 24, 2009
SAM SCHMIDT TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
Distinguished Alumni Award from Pepperdine University To Be Presented on May 2

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation is pleased to announce that Sam Schmidt will be presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Frank R. Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA on May 2, 2009. Schmidt will be recognized for both his professional achievements and philanthropic leadership....   more→

April 17, 2009
REFUELING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OUT OF REACH
Reprinted from NSCIA

There are more than 15 million drivers with disabilities in the US and by law they are entitled to have their gas pumped for them when more than one attendant is on duty. Visit www.DisabilityGas.com to view a sample video clip and to learn more about the issues drivers with disabilities face at gas stations across the US....   more→

April 7, 2009
REQUEST TO SIGN PETITION FROM THE READING RIGHTS COALITION
Reprinted from NSCIA

As part of its role in the Reading Rights Coalition, NSCIA is engaged in a campaign to obtain access for people with print disabilities to e-books available for Amazon’s new Kindle 2 e-book reader. The new reader, which Amazon is working to make fully accessible, has the ability to use text-to-speech to read these e-books aloud;...   more→

April 6, 2009
SPINAL CORD LEADERS COUNCIL CELEBRATES SIGNING OF REEVE PARALYSIS ACT; PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT
Reprinted with permission of SCLC

 April 6, 2009 – The signing into law of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act this week is a major landmark for all Americans living with spinal cord injuries or disorders (SCI/D), and for the SCI/D community as a whole. After years in the making, the bill was passed by the U.S. Senate on January 15 and the House of Representatives on March 25 and signed into law by President Obama on March 30....   more→

April 2, 2009
A SAILING STORY
Reprinted with permission of author, Dave Lewandowski, Indycar.com

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Sea spray caught Sam Schmidt squarely on the face as the sailboat knifed through the 6-foot waves on shimmering Tampa Bay. Schmidt just laughed -- like a teenager on a rollercoaster, which approximated the experience for the quadriplegic Firestone Indy Lights team owner. Hey, legs aren't necessary to walk the waves....   more→