¦ October 28, 2005
How Racing, And A Wheelchair, Changed A Life
International Paralympian Uses Carbon-Fiber Wheels

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OCTOBER 28, 2005


How Racing, And A Wheelchair, Changed A Life

International Paralympian Uses Carbon-Fiber Wheels



KUSAMI, Ghana – Ajara Mohammed is probably the biggest Indy car fan in the country right now.

She will be using a chair in wheelchair competition equipped with custom carbon-fiber wheels, donated via the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation. The foundation’s namesake and founder, Sam Schmidt, is a winning car owner in the Menards Infiniti Pro Series and a former race car driver, who has been a quadriplegic since a testing accident in January, 2000. The wheelchair was donated by Wheels For the World, a program of Joni and Friends, which has distributed more than 35,000 wheelchairs to individuals in 64 countries.

Ms. Mohammed lives in Kusami, which is located in the central region of Ghana, with other athletes who are training to compete in the 2008 Paralympics in China. The chair had to be in racing condition as Ms. Mohammed continues her training with other athletes in the town.

“Wheelchair racing has changed my life,” she said, referring to the fact she is the first in her family to not only leave her village but, because of her racing, has traveled internationally. In a country that just a few years ago would not include the disabled in the national census, she has developed into a national hero.

“Before I started racing, my family would not even talk to me,” she said. “Now they can’t stop talking about me.”

“The most important part of the donation of this racing chair to Ajara Mohammed - the para-athlete in Ghana - is that she has been able to help change the image of disabled persons in Ghana. Many with a disability in Ghana are outcasts - from their family and their society. All of a sudden, with her using the chair, she's become the country's hero,” Schmidt said.

"It's amazing what a difference a wheel chair can make for someone that's never had access to one. In Ghana, the efforts of organizations donating wheelchairs has helped improve life for people with disabilities. There's always room to improve, but it's lifted the quality of life so these people can participate in society and really get a chance to enjoy life.

"Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, kind of appropriately for us since I'm all about wheels and speed, donated the ZIPP wheels for this Eagle racing wheelchair. These wheels are very specialized, carbon-fiber racing wheels, and they're expensive. They were the hold-up in getting the racing chair rebuilt and sent to Ghana. The Foundation donated the wheels so Wheels for the World/Joni and Friends could get this chair delivered to Ms. Mohammed. She'll be using this chair to prepare for the 2008 Paralympics in China,” he added.

Schmidt, a winning race car driver who is now a quadriplegic car owner in the Infiniti Pro Series, is founder of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (www.samschmidt.org), which helps individuals overcome spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders by funding scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technological advances. This research also benefits stroke victims and people diagnosed with ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. SSPF also addresses quality of life issues benefiting people with paralysis and other disabilities through its Day At The Races program, and works tirelessly promoting advocacy concerns.


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