News:

9-10-2005
Challenge from Schmidt to Fellow Racers
Foundation to Match Donations to Damaged CILs

JOLIET, Ill. - Flooding is an extremely dangerous scenario for fully mobile people and their pets; for people with disabilities, it can often be deadly. Sam Schmidt, owner of Indy Racing League (IRL) race team Sam Schmidt Motorsports, is worried about the number of disabled people who may have perished in the flooding in the gulf region following Hurricane Katrina, and he’s even more worried about those who survived.

“It’s common sense that climbing to the attic isn’t a reality for someone in a wheelchair,” said Schmidt. “I’m worried that many probably suffered, and that those that made it through the storm now have little or no resources available. Two of the Centers for Independent Living (CIL) were totally wiped off the map, and we need to dedicate some resources from the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation to restoring support for the disabled in Biloxi and New Orleans.”

Schmidt, Saturday, personally delivered a challenge to his fellow competitors in the IRL Menards Infiniti Pro Series garage.

“I’ve told everyone that the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF) will match the donations we can raise in our garage,” said Schmidt. “Obviously cash will be important to help rebuild these centers, and to assist the centers further inland that are helping fill the void created by the loss of these CILs. I’m challenging my competitors to help with the rebuilding process, and I’ll also be challenging past donors to the SSPF to help with the foundation’s matching donation.”

The Centers for Independent Living in Biloxi, Miss., and New Orleans, La., have been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. These private, non-profit centers are key locations for the disabled in these regions, providing vocational training, assistance, peer support and advocacy. With these shelters being down, those in nearby Shreveport, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, La., are picking up the slack and working beyond their means to help the disabled cope.

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (www.samschmidt.org) 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. The Foundation also addresses quality of life issues benefiting people with paralysis and other disabilities through its national Day at the Races programs and works tirelessly promoting advocacy concerns.

To make donations or gather more information please visit the SSPF website (www.samschmidt.org) or call (317) 236-9999.