TALLAHASSEE - State Senator Nan Rich (D-Weston) and Representative Rene
Garcia (R-Miami) on Tuesday announced that November 13th through 19th
will be Paralysis Prevention & Awareness Week.
At a press
conference in the Capitol, Senator Rich and Representative Garcia were joined by
Darrell Gwynn, a former professional race car driver who was left paralyzed in
1990 after a racing accident. Mr. Gwynn and his wife Lisa started the Darrell
Gwynn Foundation to help raise funds to support spinal cord injury research,
quality of life programs, and educating the public on injury prevention and
awareness.
A week of
events is planned in November culminating with a large, public event at
Homestead-Miami Speedway, done in conjunction with the NASCAR Foundation and the
Victory Junction Gang. During the week, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation will also
be partnering with the Department of Health to produce and distribute Public
Service Announcements about spinal cord injury prevention with survivors of such
injuries visiting Florida schools to discuss paralysis education.
"It is
important for people to know that many spinal cord injuries are preventable.
Something as common as a child wearing their backpack in the car can cause an
injury if an accident should happen," said Representative Garcia
Some of
the other events that will take place during Paralysis Prevent & Awareness Week
include distribution of information on paralysis prevention to Florida high
school students and the Darrell Gwynn Foundation's annual Hot Rods & Reels
Charity Fishing Tournament.
"I
encourage all Floridians to learn how they can prevent spinal cord injuries,"
Senator Rich said. "As with every step in life we take, education makes all the
difference."
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