Life Rolls On Introduces “They Will Skate Again”

Los Angeles, CA – (Feb. 26, 2010) -

WHAT:
Life Rolls On will launch its first “They Will Skate Again” event at the newly-opened Venice Skate park on Friday, Mar. 5 at 11 a.m. A revolutionary skating program that is the first of its kind, They Will Skate Again empowers paraplegics and quadriplegics with the opportunity to skateboard adaptively. Music provided by Power106 and an exciting professional skating demonstration will prepare participants and spectators for a spectacular day of skating.

Professional skater and industry pioneer of the Dogtown Z-Boys Jim Muir, Venice skating legend Jesse Martinez and Ezekiel team rider Derek Fukuhara will be among the skating instructors. Joining them will be actor andskateboarding enthusiast Scott Caan, along with his friends and local Venice skaters Steve Olson, Alex Olson and Scott Oster. Professional chair skaters Christiaan Bailey and Aaron Fotheringham will also make a special appearance and serve as guest coaches. Fotheringham made history by successfully landing the first wheelchair back-flip. Bailey, who sustained a spinal cord injury as a result of a skating accident, currently serves as an ambassador for Life Rolls On (LRO).

“We are excited to introduce another action sport to push possibilities for the spinal cord injury community,” said Jesse Billauer, LRO’s Director of National Outreach. “Skating complements our existing adaptive snowboarding and surfing programs, so we are proud to continue fostering opportunities that demonstrate how ‘life rolls on’ despite paralysis!”

This event will be provided at no cost to participants through the generous support of sponsor Fuel TV, lunch host BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery and safety equipment provider VANS. Also supporting this event are Colours Wheelchairs, Dogtown Skateboards, Ezekiel, Popeye Moving and Storage, Power106, Sweet Treats, Tony Hawk Foundation, Venice Skate Association and Vita Coco.


WHEN:
Friday, March 5, 2010
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
*Media check-in begins at 10:30 a.m.; event participation is closed, but spectators are welcome!


WHERE:
Venice Skate Park (1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA)


MEDIA OPPORTUNTIES:
· Interview and photo opportunity with individuals with spinal cord injuries skating
· Professional skaters Jim Muir of Dogtown Skate Boards, Ezekiel Team Rider Derek Fukuhara and Venice skaters Jesse Martinez, Steve Olson, Alex Olson and Scot Oster
· Actor Scott Caan
· Professional chair skaters Aaron Fotheringham and Christiaan Bailey
· Life Rolls On founder and Director of National Outreach Jesse Billauer

ABOUT LIFE ROLLS ON:
Life Rolls On, a division of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for young people affected by spinal cord injury and utilizes action sports as a platform to inspire infinite possibilities despite paralysis. Its signature program, They Will Surf Again, is an award-winning quality of life program that empowers young people with spinal cord injury to experience the freedom and mobility of surfing a wave through adaptive equipment and dedicated volunteers. With a worldwide network of supporters, LRO is one of the fastest growing, contemporary charitable organizations in the country and has been featured in national print, television and radio. For more information, visit www.liferollson.org