¦ March 29, 2007
FORMER RACER, NOW QUADRIPLEGIC, TO VISIT PATIENTS AT VA HOSPITAL

Sam Schmidt, founder of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, and its President, Ida Cahill, will be visiting patients at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa this weekend as part of the foundation's efforts to support injured soldiers returning from war.

"The entire board of the foundation feels very strongly about providing support for the brave men and women of the Armed Services," Cahill said. "For the past several years, we've funded organizations that address the solders' accessibility issues in their homes, including actually building new homes for those that suffered a spinal cord injury during their time in service to our country."

The foundation also holds "Day at the Races" programs throughout the country inviting people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities to various race venues. Andretti/Green Racing provides lunch for the guests as they listen to Schmidt offer inspiring remarks. Much needed resource materials are provided along with the opportunity to exchange information with one another.

Most importantly, the day is designed for the families to have fun as they tour the paddock area, meet race car drivers, and watch an exciting race.

This weekend, the team is competing in two races during the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

"We invite patients and members of their families to the races and give them a truly 'behind the scenes' experience," Schmidt said. "Often, the experience represents the very first time away from the hospital for some patients, and the overall experience becomes quite therapeutic for everyone connected."

Schmidt himself is a former race car driver and competed in three Indianapolis 500-mile races. In January of 2000, while testing for that year's edition of the race, he was involved in an accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down.

The days after his incident would end up shaping the rest of his life.

"When I was in a rehabilitation hospital after my accident, I had met a lot of awfully nice people but saw some things that disturbed me," Schmidt said. "During my rehab, I received thousands of cards and letters from well-wishers and visits from a lot of friends, family, and colleagues. Many of the other patients weren't as fortunate as me, and when visits from friends and family began to slow or were non-existent, I saw a lot of these patients affected psychologically.

"I vowed to try and change that when I was able to leave the hospital, and our 'Days at the Races' program has been able to restore the faith and hope in a lot of these patients because they again meet people who truly care about them."

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation was founded in 2000 while Schmidt was still in the rehabilitation hospital. Its mission is to raise funds to support spinal cord injury research which also benefits stroke victims, people with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, ALS, and other neurological disorders. The foundation is active in advocacy efforts benefiting the disabled and funds organizations throughout the world that directly benefit people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.