Article courtesy of ParaQuad NSW
5 November 2010
Instead of putting yourself in someone’s shoes for a day, ParaQuad NSW is asking you to try on someone’s wheels for a change.
To launch Spinal Injuries Awareness Week, ParaQuad NSW will host the annual ‘Wheels for a Day’ wheelchair challenge in an effort to raise awareness for people with a spinal cord injury.
‘Wheels for a Day’ responds to the large and growing population of people with a spinal cord injury in Australia. Over 10,000 people are currently living with a spinal cord injury, with nearly 400 new injuries reported each year.
“Physical disability often flies under the radar as far as awareness is concerned. Yet disabilities such as spinal cord injury not only affect the individual, but have a wider ranging impact on their family and friends, along with influence on public accessibility, employment services, education and the healthcare system.” ParaQuad CEO Max Bosotti said.
“Wheels for a Day and Spinal Injuries Awareness Week aim to draw attention to spinal cord injury and its surrounding issues in an effort to support people with a spinal cord injury to have the opportunity to achieve their choices in life.”
Executives from Allianz Australia, Stacks / Goudkamp, NRMA Insurance and Walker Legal will step out of their comfort zone by taking to a wheelchair and competing in a wheelchair basketball contest, experiencing the challenge of having to sit and roll while shooting baskets all at the same time.
Allianz’s General Manager Corporate Affairs, Nicholas Scofield, said: “Allianz is pleased to be involved with ParaQuad NSW and the unique approach of Wheels for a Day in raising driver awareness and the impacts of spinal cord injury, while highlighting the difficulties faced by people with such injuries.”
Tom Goudkamp OAM and Managing Director of Stacks/Goudkamp said: “This is an opportunity for members of our law firm to experience just some of the difficulties faced by our clients who have become wheelchair users.”
Walker Legal Compensation Lawyers Principal, Steve Walker said: “We are pleased to be associated with ParaQuad NSW. The Wheels for a Day awareness campaign is an important tool for reminding members of the community about the real effects of spinal cord injury in today’s society. Congratulations ParaQuad!”
“ParaQuad is extremely grateful to our sponsors for their generous support of Wheels for a Day. With their assistance we can continue educating the community about the major risk factors of spinal cord injury, the effects of the disability, and the fulfilled life that can be led afterwards,” Bosotti said.
Celebrating its fifth year, ‘Wheels for a Day’ is a registered event of International Day of People with a Disability and the Don’t DISmyABILITY campaign, and is proudly supported by Wheelchair Sports NSW and the Men of League Foundation.
WHAT: ParaQuad NSW’s Wheels for a Day
WHEN: Monday, 8th November 2010
12.00 pm – 2.00 pm. Executive wheelchair basketball challenge to start at 12.15 pm, followed by the feature event – wheelchair rugby between the champion NSW Gladiators vs. the Mario Fenech led Men of League Legends
WHERE: Martin Place (Amphitheatre), Sydney
SPONSORS: Allianz Australia, NRMA Insurance, Stacks / Goudkamp, Walker Legal
For more information visit www.wheelsforaday.com.au