They
happen everyday, everywhere, to people of all ages and
descriptions, and from all walks of life. And they happen in many
different
ways.
In
1990, I was at the height of my career as a professional race
car driver. Then, on a test run in England, an accident -- a freak one
by
racing standards --left me paralyzed with a devastating spinal cord
injury.
Initially,
there was concern if I would even survive my injuries
at all. I careened from one medical crisis to another, taking my family
and
loved ones along on that same wrenching, emotional roller-coaster ride.
Then,
when the imminent dangers had passed, I arrived at the forefront of
living life
in the wake of a paralyzing spinal cord injury.
Ironically,
less than six months earlier I had chosen The Miami
Project to Cure Paralysis as my personal charity, and I had already
begun
assisting them in raising funding for spinal cord injury research. I
clearly
recall personally placing their logos on my race car, never then
dreaming that
within a few short months my future would be in their hands.
A
number of years have passed since the fateful day that I was
paralyzed. In that time, my compassion for victims of spinal cord
injuries, and
respect for the families and friends of those standing behind them has
grown
immeasurably. I have learned that hope, encouragement and determination
aided
by education, are among the keys in creating a meaningful, satisfying
life
despite physical obstacles.
I
am lucky. I have a wonderful family and an amazing collection of
friends and business associates who share my commitment to build a
better
future for those with spinal cord injuries and other central nervous
system
disorders. Significantly, there has never been a time of more important
and
promising research to find a cure for spinal cord paralysis then right
now.
The
Darrell Gwynn Foundation (DGF) was created to help aid that
critical research by raising funds for that purpose. In addition to
supporting
various worthwhile research initiatives, DGF concerns itself with
Quality of
Life issues for those with spinal cord injuries.
My
life, both before and after my spinal cord injury, has
surrounded professional auto racing. Surprisingly, there are
similarities
between side-by-side competition at more than 300 miles-per-hour, and
the quest
to cure spinal cord injuries. Both are expensive. Both are ultimately
competitions against the clock. And with adequate funding, technical
expertise
and dedication, both can be won.
There's
an old saying in auto racing, "It's not where you
start, but where you finish." That's also true of living life with a
spinal cord injury. The race to find a cure for paralysis from spinal
cord
injury is well underway. With continuing help, I am certain that race
will one
day be won.
Darrell
Gwynn
Florida
Spinal
Cord Injury Awareness Week
ABOUT
THE DARRELL
GWYNN FOUNDATION
The
Darrell Gwynn Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, exists to prevent,
provide
for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other debilitating
illnesses. To
expedite specific cures,
the Foundation assists in the funding of targeted research. The Foundation is also
dedicated to injury
prevention, with special emphasis on programs targeting children.
The
Foundation helps improve the quality of life for those already
afflicted with
injury or
illness,
by providing necessary equipment or special services.
AWARENESS
MISSION
The
Darrell Gwynn Foundation is spearheading the 3rd Annual Florida
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week.
A state resolution, sponsored by Sen. Nan
Rich (D) and Rep. Rene Garcia (R),
was passed by
the Florida Legislature earlier this year designating the week of November 10-16 2008 for this
campaign. This
resolution charges DGF
with educating Floridians, especially children, on ways they can
prevent spinal
cord injuries. It
is our hope that one
day this will become a nationally dedicated week.
As
high school age children make up a key demographic for sustaining
spinal cord
injuries, DGF is dedicated to arming students with information on ways
to
prevent spinal cord injuries. Florida
is
a very active state, with year-round swimming, boating and other types
of
outdoor recreational activities which high school age students
participate
in. In addition,
high school students
are new drivers and automobile accidents are the leading cause of
spinal cord
injuries; our prevention program seeks to promote safe driving
practices. Through
this innovative program, it is our goal to reduce the number of spinal
cord injury
accidents in high school age students in Florida.
While
our first priority is targeting children, DGF will also provide safety
and
education tips to all ages. During
this
week, DGF and the Florida Department of Health will run public service
announcements
on major TV and cable networks, featuring NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart
that will
provide prevention and safety tips.
We
will hold events at Homestead-Miami Speedway and the Miami Project to
Cure
Paralysis. A major
publicity push is
planned, particularly high-lighting the education program. It is our goal to invite
local reporters to
attend the in-school presentations.
In
addition to the educational part of spinal cord injury awareness week,
we are
planning on giving away a wheelchair every single day during this very
important week.
THE
EDUCATION
PROGRAM
DGF
has developed a prevention program for high schools throughout the
state of
Florida. Through our partnerships with the Miami Project to Cure
Paralysis and
the Florida Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center, we have assembled a
roster of
speakers that are either quadriplegics or paraplegics, thereby having
experiential knowledge about spinal cord injuries.
In 2008, these speakers will visit schools
in Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, Lee, Duval, Marion, Palm Beach and
Hillsborough
Counties. In
year’s past all
presentations received excellent responses from both teachers and
students. Many were
presented in large
auditoriums to hundreds of students who had been combined from HOSA and
Driver’s Ed classes.
All
speakers have been trained by The Darrell Gwynn Foundation and The
Miami
Project to Cure Paralysis. Each
speaker
presents the same material, with the only exception being their
personal
stories about how their spinal cord injuries were sustained.
The
agenda for the program is as follows:
·
Show
an approximately 12-minute video courtesy of the ThinkFirst Foundation. This video consists of
personal stories
shared by young adults who suffered spinal cord injuries as teenagers,
due to
reckless behaviors. Last
year, it made a
big impact with the students who viewed it.
·
Speaker’s
personal story about his or her accident, what life is like with a
spinal cord
injury, how it could have been prevented, their daily
routine—with a spinal
cord injury—consists of, challenges, etc.
·
Prevention
tips on spinal cord injuries that are particularly relevant to this age
group. For example,
the tips will
include, but will not be limited to
o
Practice
safe diving habits. “Look
before you
leap” and avoid diving head first into shallow water. Entering feet first is
safer than diving.
This
includes the beach…avoid jumping head first into waves,
off piers, rocks, jetties, or surfboards.
o
Backpack
Safety: Don’t overload your backpack and make sure you use
both straps to carry
it.
o
Insist
on spotters when performing activities that can put you at risk such as
new
gymnastics moves or cheerleading stunts.
o
DUI
Facts: 33% of 12th
graders rode one or
more times in a car or other vehicle (including ATV’s) driven
by someone who
had been drinking alcohol. Among teen drivers who were killed in motor
vehicle
accidents after drinking and driving, 74% were unrestrained. Car accidents are the
leading cause of spinal
cord injuries.
·
A
question and answer session with students
·
Distribute
a DOE-approved full-color paralysis prevention & safety tips
tri-fold
brochure which will include tips such as the ones previously listed, as
well as
many
more. All the tips
will concentrate on activities
relevant to this age group in
the areas of driving, swimming,
sports and firearms, plus statistics and
facts.
The
program will be no more than 50 minutes in length.
It is our goal to reach as many students as
possible, so we hope that arrangements can be made to bring multiple
classes
together for each presentation.
To
learn more about Darrell Gwynn and his Foundation log onto www.darrellgwynnfoundation.org
or you can contact Erica Zorn, program services
coordinator, at 954 792 7223
x112.