Williams Company of America

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation was created by Schmidt to help individuals overcome spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders. Schmidt is currently recovering from serious upper spinal cord injuries suffered in a testing accident on January 6, 2000 while practicing for the season-opening Indy Racing League event at Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando, Florida.

While in a rehabilitation hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, Schmidt realized he was one of the lucky ones. He had an incredible support system including his faith, family and the motorsports community. He also realized he had very good insurance. Schmidt quickly learned these are not generally the demographics of someone with a spinal cord injury.

Schmidt vowed when he was able to leave the rehabilitation hospital he would not forget the less-privileged patients he met. He realized in order to solve some of their issues he needed to raise awareness of spinal cord injury and the horrendous impact it has on the patient and family. Funds needed to be raised for medical research to develop cures and effective therapeutic treatments for paralysis. Thus, with the help of several of his closest friends, the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation was formed in May of 2000.

“Since my injury I have learned so much about the tremendous needs of people suffering from spinal cord injuries,” Schmidt says. “There are three areas on which I have asked the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation to concentrate its fund-raising efforts. The first is research. The second, innovative equipment that can be sued used for rehabilitation. And, third, I want to help people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities by supporting quality of life issues.

Founded in May of 2000, the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation is still growing and moving ahead. Schmidt’s desire to beat paralysis drives him daily.

“I’ve come to understand why I’m here,” Schmidt says. “We’re spreading the message that you need to stay in shape and keep working hard, because something is going to come. Frankly, I’ve come to the realization that I’m helping a lot more people now that I ever could as a driver.

“Let’s face it, I’m selfish,” he adds. “If I’m going to be able to walk again, it’s going to come through the Foundation and through the funds that we raise. That’s a big motivating factor for me, too. I selfishly want to walk again, but if I can drag thousands of people along with me that would be great.”

Schmidt wants everyone to clearly understand that absolutely no funds raised by the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation are used in support of his racing team, Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Every dollar raised in the Foundation goes to support the organization’s mission of helping individuals overcome spinal cord injuries and to facilitate research, treatment and rehabilitation. The Motorsports team’s role is to raise awareness of the Foundation and paralysis issues.

The Foundation funds research with the highest level of integrity at institutions such as:

Barnes Jewish Hospital
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Toronto Western hospital Research Institute
University of Iowa
The University of British Columbia
Day at the Races Program

Since its inception, hundreds of spinal cord injured people and their families have attended a ‘Day at the Races’ program, which was developed by Schmidt to build upon his team’s participation at racetracks throughout the country.

At the racetrack locations, the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation contacts local rehabilitation centers and organizations for the disabled inviting patients and members to attend a ‘behind-the-scenes’ guided tour of the garage and pit areas. They also offer an opportunity to meet the drivers and provide passes to view races or racing trials depending on the activities at the track. Also included is a catered lunch with guest speakers and celebrity appearances. The speakers address many areas of concern, including: transition from inpatient rehabilitation to the home, insurance problems, homecare, family and transportation. Additionally, great emphasis is given to the topic of employment opportunities since many newly disabled people become depressed and simply begin to believe there are no opportunities. Rather than accepting a life of social welfare and becoming a burden on society, encouragement and practical information are provided for employment opportunities. A mobile ‘resource center’ containing literature on topics such as adaptive devices, national and local sports programs, accessible transportation, medical research and other beneficial information is available.

As a reminder of the day, participants also receive racing memorabilia, products from participating sponsors and contact information for future reference. In many instances the program offers the initial opportunity for patients to leave the rehabilitation hospital and enjoy the first of hopefully many days of activity with their families.

The program is structured and highly successful in achieving several very important goals that are essential to the future well-being of the attendees and families:

• Within a ‘safe’ environment, they are exposed to potential accessibility issues and challenges faced at public venues. Successfully maneuvering their way around the track and grounds and the opportunity to interact with people both with and without disabilities instills confidence and self-assurance. They realize they are able to successfully meet new challenges presented to them and regain confidence in their ability to communicate and carry on conversations.
• An informal forum is provided for interaction with other previously injured individuals. These people recount their stories and provide inspiration and real life examples on how and why not to give up on life or permit obstacles to deter them from reaching their goals. The realization becomes apparent that while their life has dramatically changed, a fulfilling and productive life is within their grasp. These are experiences that cannot be learned in a book or hospital setting.
• Resource materials on spinal cord injury research, adaptive technologies, sports programs, job training, the importance of maintaining healthy lives by exercising and physical therapy and other critical information is provided.

It’s an exhilarating day and one that is long remembered for its message of hope and sense of excitement for the future. The program positively impacts the inpatient returning to the hospital by inspiring a new outlook on life and renewed enthusiasm toward physical therapy. The person previously injured becomes re-energized by new information received and feels a sense of ‘community’ and self-worth by supporting those who are newly injured. Equally important, the program is extremely beneficial to the attending family members who survived the initial trauma of their loved ones sustaining an injury and now know what to expect in the days and months ahead. While none of their lives will ever be the same, the ‘Day at the Races’ program instills confidence, provides essential information, the opportunity to get to know others who will lend assistance and hope for the future.

In a split second, doing every day activities such as riding a bike, crossing a road, driving a car or swimming, a life can be turned upside down and changed forever. With your support, the ‘Day at the Races’ program will provide uplifting experiences for many more people. Your support will play an important role in helping patients and their families cope with the uncertainty and trauma of a new disability and provide hope for the future.