July 26, 2010
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
20 Year Anniversary Salute

It’s been 20 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) became the law of our land. Before then, individual states mandated rules such as cut curbs, building access and transportation, which resulted in wide variations. You never knew what to expect. Effective accessibility laws have enabled people in wheelchairs to become a part of our society....   more→

July 23, 2010
FOLLOW UP ON 2nd ANNUAL RUN WALK 'N WHEELATHON TORONTO
Hundreds of Participants Flood the Track!

On Thursday, July 15th, 2010, hundreds of participants raced to find a cure for paralysis at the 2nd Annual Honda Indy Toronto Run Walk N Wheelathon.  Runners, walkers and wheelers of all ages supported the Shoot For A Cure campaign and the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, raising just over $25,000, double the amount raised at last year'...   more→

July 19, 2010
FOLLOW UP TO SSPF'S DAY AT THE RACES EVENT, IOWA SPEEDWAY
Includes a Reprint of a Press Release from the Christian Opportunity Center

We were pleased to welcome several people from the the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella Iowa among the guests at our Day at the Races held at Iowa Speedway on June 19, 2010.  Later, the Center distributed the following press release about the great time their clients had with us: “...   more→

July 15, 2010
2010 RACING TO RECOVERY GOLF TOURNAMENT
To be held on Friday, 11/5/10

This year's Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation Racing To Recovery Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, November 5, 2010 at 9:00 am, South Shore Golf Club, Lake Las Vegas, NV.  Watch for more information to come!      2009 winning group: John Hickey, Jim Evans, Ron Futrell, Craig Reed, Steve Roeth ...   more→

June 27, 2010
RUN, WALK 'N WHEELATHONS IN JULY: TORONTO & EDMONTON CANADA
Your chance to experience the Honda Indy Toronto & Honda Indy Edmonton race courses!

START YOUR ENGINES!  Toronto: Join us for the 2nd Annual Honda Indy Toronto 5K Run, Walk 'N Wheelathon Toronto, Canada on Thursday, July 15, 2010 in support of Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, Shoot for a Cure and Canadian Spinal Research Organization. To view Toronto Run, Walk 'N Wheelathon event flyer, click here....   more→

June 14, 2010
DAY AT THE RACES INDIANAPOLIS 2010
On May 16, 2010 the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation hosted a very special Day at the Races program at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

We were honored to include as guests 2010 Miss Wheelchair Indiana, Joey Murello and 2009 Miss Wheelchair Indiana Emily Munson.  Also in attendance were members of the Brawler’s Quad Rugby Team, Sudden Impact Soccer Team, the Wheelin’ Sportsmen, and ICAN Indiana Canine Assistant Network.  Clients of Dixie Chopper/Rehab Ideas ...   more→

June 1, 2010
RESEARCH NEWS
Grant Provided to Dr. Soheila Karimi, PhD

  The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation recently provided a grant to Soheila Karimi, PhD of the Toronto Western Hospital Research Institute.  Her stem cell research study is focused on a combinatorial strategy to optimize neural repair and plasticity after chronic spinal cord injury.   Most of the search for treatments to repair the damaged spinal cord and restore lost function has focused on new injuries....   more→

May 24, 2010
11th ANNUAL RACING TO RECOVERY GALA: HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE RAISE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FUND PARALYSIS RESEARCH AND QUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAMS
Sparkling, Vegas-Themed Evening Included Live Auction, Dinner, Drivers and a Memorable Award Ceremony

Each year the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation plays host for a “Racing to Recovery Gala” to celebrate and recognize the achievements of the Foundation, its partners and its supporters.  On a balmy night in May, hundreds of people came together to raise thousands of dollars to fund research to help discover a cure for paralysis and to help those with disabling spinal cord injuries....   more→

May 14, 2010
SAM SCHMIDT TAKES TO THE SKIES AGAIN
Centennial Era Balloon Festival

http://www.theindychannel.com/video/23531905/index.html  Without a doubt, the month of May is the busiest time of year for former IndyCar racer and current team owner, Sam Schmidt, with the Indianapolis 500, Freedom 100, and his Racing to Recovery Gala all taking place within days of each other.  Schmidt began this month with yet another event....   more→

April 15, 2010
A GREAT TIME AT THE PARNELLI JONES MUSEUM
Fundraiser for the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation

 On April 13, 2010 forty friends of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation attended an exclusive evening with Parnelli Jones at his personal racing museum, with proceeds benefiting SSPF.  Parnelli personally provided guided tours of his wonderful private collection of cars and racing memorabilia from his years as a driver and team owner....   more→

April 7, 2010
ANNUAL RACING TO RECOVERY GALA COMING UP IN MAY!
Reprinted from "Thru Noggle's Goggles" e-Newsletter by Jon Viv

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation has mailed thousands of invitations to those who would like to attend their 11th annual "Racing to Recovery" gala and also to those who would like to contribute financially to their cause. The event this year will be held on Wednesday, May 19 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm at a new location....   more→

April 2, 2010
DAY AT THE RACES LONG BEACH - COMING SOON!
To be held on Friday, April 15, 2010

For Long Beach Day at the Races flyer, click here.      Furthering its mission statement, the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation organizes several “Day at the Races” program events annually.  Day at the Races has grown to be one of our most popular programs.   We contact local hospitals that specialize in spinal cord injury treatment, rehabilitation centers, VA Hospitals and organizations for the disabled, inviting patients and family members to attend a “...   more→

March 28, 2010
GENERAL PETRAEUS HELPS EVENT TAKE FIRST STEPS
By Dave Lewandowski, reprinted from Indycar.com, photo courtesy IRL

  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Tampa Bay glistened in the setting sun as more than 1,200 participants passed under a multi-color balloon arch in Straub Park March 26 to start the inaugural Racing to Recovery Run, Walk, ‘N Wheel-a-thon. On a knoll 100 yards away, Sam Schmidt gathered in the proceedings with a sense of satisfaction for this victory lap of sorts....   more→

March 26, 2010
MORE PEOPLE LIVE WITH PARALYSIS THAN DOCTORS KNEW
Reprinted from The Jerusalem Post

Surprising new research says nearly 1.3 million Americans are living with a spinal-cord injury, five times more than previous estimates. Overall, 5.5 million people in the US have some degree of paralysis due to a variety of neurologic problems, from multiple sclerosis to strokes, says the report released Tuesday. The findings will help health authorities finally understand the scope of need in this largely hidden population....   more→

March 26, 2010
GET SOME SERIOUS TRACK TIME AT THE INAUGURAL HONDA GRAND PRIX OF ST PETERSBURG 5K
Friday, March 26, 2010 - Experience a Victory Lap on the Same Track Where IndyCar Drivers Burn Rubber!

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation teams up with The Challenged Athletes Foundation of Florida and the Shoot For A Cure campaign in a race for recovery at the inaugural Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 5K Walk, Run ‘N Wheel-a-thon on Friday, March 26, 2010. “The addition of the Honda Grand Prix of St....   more→

March 15, 2010
GENERAL PETRAEUS, LT. BRENNAN TO TEAM UP AGAIN AT THE HONDA GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG 5K ON MARCH 26
Press Release

General David Petraeus, the Commander of U.S. Central Command in Tampa and former Commanding General of the Multi-National Force in Iraq will reunite with wounded veteran Brian Brennan at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg for the inaugural 5K Run, Walk and Wheel-a-thon to support spinal cord injury / paralysis research and wounded veterans....   more→

March 8, 2010
SCIENTIFIC UPDATE
Exciting Breakthroughs Reported

Exciting breakthroughs are being reported in the fields of computer-assisted movement, bionics and treatment for spinal cord injury. A recent article in Parade magazine discussed clinical trials regarding mechanized leg braces for assisted walking (http://www.parade.com/health/2010/02/14-prescription-hope-restoring-the-power-to-walk....   more→

March 6, 2010
FREEDOM'S TALES
Freedom's Wings International (FWI) is a non-profit organization run by and for people with physical disabilities. They provide the opportunity for those who are physically challenged to fly in specially adapted sailplanes, either as a passenger or as a member of the flight training program. The following story is from the Freedom’s Wings newsletter, Vol. 10, No. 1, March 2010. Reprinted in entirety, with permission.

“Persons with disabilities enjoy sport and recreation as much as persons without disabilities. Our joint events introduced the sport we love to those who have very limited ability to participate in any sport. Steve who flew with us stated … -It was an experience I thought was not possible for me and so I am grateful beyond words....   more→

January 5, 2010
LAST CALL: AAPD SUMMER INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE THIS FRIDAY
Deadline This Friday, January 8, 2010

American Association of People with Disabilities is searching for college students with disabilities to apply for the 2010 AAPD Summer Internships in Washington, D.C. To apply, please visit http://www.aapd.com/AAPDInternship  Each year, AAPD coordinates two summer internship programs for college students with disabilities wanting to spend a summer working in Washington, DC....   more→

December 13, 2009
RESEARCH GRANT AWARDED FOR STUDY ON AXON REGENERATION
SSPF/ASIA Grant Given to Mousumi Ghosh, PhD

   The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation in partnership with the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Sell Research Fund presented the first inaugural “Young Investigator Award” to Mousumi Ghosh, Ph.D. of the University of Miami, on September 25, 2009.   The $15,000 award is designed to provide funding to a post doctoral researcher whose work has contributed substantially to the field of spinal cord injury medicine....   more→