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→

December 11, 2009
ANOTHER COOL TRICKED OUT RIDE!
Chris Karson's Racing Van

Some time ago, we invited our website visitors to submit stories of their own "tricked out rides".  We received a great response from racer Chris Karson, as follows: "Hello, In response to accessible vehicle projects, I thought my vehicle may be of interest to readers. I had the opportunity to be a part of Day at the Races a few years ago where I met both Ida Cahill and Sam Schmidt....   more→

November 2, 2009
4th ANNUAL RACING TO RECOVERY GOLF TOURNAMENT (11/2) and KARTING EVENT (11/1)
Monday, November 2, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation will hold its 4th Annual Racing To Recovery Golf Tournament on Monday, November 2, 2009 at the Revere Golf Club’s Lexington Course in Henderson, Nevada. Golf Digest “Best Places to Play,” Golf Digest Magazine The Revere presents a blend of beauty and challenge unlike any other in southern Nevada....   more→

October 21, 2009
SAM SCHMIDT PROFILED IN DIMENSIONS WEEKLY E-ZINE
Feature Article in Sports Corner

The online publication “Dimensions Weekly, A Mens Lifestyle Magazine” recently posted a great article about Sam Schmidt in their Sports Corner section.  The article gives a profile, history and update on Sam, his work with the race team and the foundation, and includes several photos.  To read the article, click here....   more→

September 20, 2009
LIFE IS A FAST LANE
Nashville Recording Artist Michelle Murray's Dedication to SSPF and Our Cause

The band hits the stage running, and the show isn’t finished until the last autograph is signed.  Sounds exhausting, but it’s just the last act of a very long day for Nashville recording artist Michelle Murray and her band.  Besides touring, practice, countless hours in the recording studio and many personal appearances, Michelle and her manager/husband Tom are parents of 3 very active small children....   more→

September 15, 2009
2010 INDY RACING LEAGUE STYLE CALENDAR
Available To Order Now

"Up Close & Personal" - The new Indy Racing League Style 16 month calendar is now available.  Each month features a different Indy Racing League star.  These calendars make great holiday gifts, and all proceeds from the sale of this 12"x12" calendar to benefit the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation....   more→

September 12, 2009
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
How You Can Help the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation

There are many ways in which you can offer your time and talents to benefit the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF). Become a “Hero for Hope” by organizing a fundraising event in your area, with proceeds going to the Foundation.  Consider a letter writing campaign, bake sale, car wash, chili cook off, scavenger hunt, home party or your own creative idea....   more→

August 30, 2009
SELF-DEFENSE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
by Derek Mortland, reprinted with permission from Disaboom

As a T-9 paraplegic, I have been interested in improving my chances of survival in a self-defense situation.  It has been a journey that has led me to some very great and compassionate teachers.  They have shared not only techniques with me, but sage wisdom.  I'll do my best to relay what I have learned....   more→

August 20, 2009
SAM SCHMIDT PARALYSIS FOUNDATION AND INFINEON TRACK HOST TWO FUNDRAISING EVENTS IN RACE WEEK
by Kaaveh Akbari, Media Relations, Sam Schmidt Motorsports

  The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation hosted two successful events at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California, during the recent IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights race weekend.  On Thursday afternoon the Foundation, in conjunction with Shoot For a Cure, hosted nearly 150 competitors in its "...   more→

August 15, 2009
RUN, WALK and WHEELATHON - upcoming event. " Burn some rubber at Infineon Raceway!"
Event to be held on Thursday, August 20 in Sonoma, CA

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and Shoot For a Cure Moto Sport are excited to announce that the next in our wildly popular RUN, WALK and WHEELATHON series of events is coming to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California on Thursday, August 20, 2009.  The event takes place on a specially designed course at Infineon ...   more→

August 12, 2009
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Sign up today for the SSPF mailing list

Sign up to join our mailing list and you will receive updates on exciting developments in research, also our e-newsletters, print newsletters and notices about upcoming events!  Note:  The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation does NOT sell or otherwise provide your contact information to any third party....   more→

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→