7th Annual Walk-N-Roll-A-Thon

They told us to accept what we couldn’t change. Instead, we changed what we couldn’t accept.

On April 21, 2007, I received the phone call no parent is ever prepared for. I was told my only daughter, Amanda, was being airlifted to a nearby hospital after a serious car accident. As I raced to the hospital, I could only think one thing: Please, let her be alive.

Once there, I learned Amanda’s friend had fallen asleep at the wheel, hit a traffic light pole and careened down an embankment. My 18 year old daughter, asleep in the passenger seat, became a human missile within the car. I was informed her neck was broken and she was paralyzed. According to her doctors, Amanda would never walk again.

Immediately, desperate panic for my child clawed at me, followed by feelings of confusion, anger, sorrow and uncertainty. I went from having an active, well-adjusted daughter who loved her family, friends and participating in dance, to a battered, bed-ridden daughter, unable to sit up, feed herself or be in control of her bowel or bladder function. From her bedside in the hospital, I vowed to fight for my child’s recovery. In the days and weeks that followed, Amanda was fitted for a wheelchair. We were informed our goals for regaining Amanda’s independence and complete mobility were unrealistic. We searched out what we felt was the best program in the world for those like Amanda and flew across the country. She made miraculous progress in the program, only to have our insurance limit reached too soon. She still has much work ahead of her.

This horrible reality is similarly faced by over 11,000 families each year. There are very few options for recovery, especially in Florida. A person living with a spinal cord injury is overwhelmed. They need recovery, hope, encouragement and a reason to wake up every day.

This is why we founded Project Walk Orlando. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to help those suffering with a spinal cord injury (SCI) improve their daily living – by regaining function and perhaps, even walking again. Our program is modeled after the highly successful Project Walk® in Carlsbad, California. We use Project Walk’s® specialized, aggressive and comprehensive exercise-based program. This is a proven methodology for SCI recovery and extends the program’s reach and affordability to the southeastern United States, Florida residents and beyond.

Thank you for your support as we continue to give individuals Hope.

Sincerely,

Liza Perla-Riedel Founder/Facility Director

Project Walk Orlando is an intense activity-based recovery program for people with spinal cord injuries.  It was founded in 2008 and is one of the licensed Project Walk facilities in the country serving individuals from all over the world.   Years ago, we were told that someone with a spinal cord injury could not get better and walk again.  Clients proved that wrong.  Then, we were told people over two years post injury couldn't get better.  Again, our clients showed that to be wrong.  If our clients have taught us anything, it's that you can retrain a damaged nervous system back to a functional one and nothing is impossible.

There are approximately 450,000 people in the United States that live with a spinal cord injury.  Every 48 seconds in our country, a person becomes paralyzed.  A majority of injuries occur from motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, and diving accidents.

DONATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT:

Project Walk Orlando, Inc. (PWO) is classified as a non-profit 501 (c)(3) by the IRS and complies fully with federal and state charitable solicitation requirements.  FEIN: 26-2998891

This Special Event was created for PWO as a general fundraiser for the organization.  All proceeds received from the event, unless designated otherwise, are for non-restricted use by PWO to further its exempt purpose and therefore PWO has 100% control of the funds contributed. 

As a courtesy to our clients, any “Team” donations that are designated for a PWO client will be received as: 50% restricted (for client) and 50% non-restricted (for PWO general fund). Therefore, your donation for tax purposes would be limited to 50% of the amount donated.  Consult with your tax advisor to determine whether your donation is tax deductible in whole or part.

FLORIDA DEPT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES /REGISTRATION#: CH37389

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VIA THE INTERNET AT WWW.800HELPFLA.COM.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.