Paralympic Skier Josh Sundquist to Headline National Rehabilitation Awareness Week

Richmond, Virginia (September 09, 2008) – William and Mary graduate and Bridgewater, Virginia native Josh Sundquist knows a lot about “the power to overcome”. At the age of nine, he lost one of his legs to a form of bone cancer. Now, at the age of 24, he’s been a member of the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team and is an author, motivational speaker, and the founder of an online community for amputees. Sundquist will use his own brand of inspiration through humor to tell his story at the 2008 Celebration of the Power to Overcome fundraising gala, organized by Sheltering Arms.

The gala, to be held on Tuesday, September 23 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Jefferson Hotel, is just one of the events from Sheltering Arms during this year’s National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, which runs from September 21-27. The week highlights the contributions made by rehabilitation medicine as well as patients working to overcome physical disability. Governor Tim Kaine declared Virginia’s participation by issuing a proclamation earlier this year.

“National Rehabilitation Awareness Week is our opportunity to honor the patients striving to recover from debilitating injury or illness, as well as the therapists who help them achieve their goals,” said Sheltering Arms president and CEO James E. Sok.

On average, Sheltering Arms works with more than 1,350 patients and employs more than 150 therapists at its nine facilities in Metro Richmond.

Sundquist will provide the keynote address during the Celebration of the Power to Overcome gala. His story has been featured on CNN and in the USA Today, Washington Post, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and elsewhere. The evening’s mistress of ceremonies will be former Richmond news anchor Lisa LaFata. On the guest list are numerous community and public leaders who support Virginians with physical disabilities and the services that help them.

The gala is a fundraiser for Club REC, a Sheltering Arms program dedicated to helping victims of stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury maximize quality of life following therapy. The proceeds will subsidize Sheltering Arms’ commitment to deliver services to all those in need, regardless of ability to pay

Other events organized for this year’s National Rehabilitation Awareness Week by Sheltering Arms include multiple seminars for local healthcare professionals about advancements in rehabilitation techniques, and the 16th annual Different Strokes Golf Extravaganza. The event, which is for golfers and non-golfers alike, will include food, music, games for kids, a golf clinic, and a nine-hole golf tournament pairing disabled and non-disabled golfers. There will also be a trick golf exhibition by nationally known golf celebrity Dennis Walters, who became disabled 34 years ago as the result of a golf cart accident. Registration for the golf tournament is $45, and includes green fees, a cart, water, dinner, and awards. All other activities at this event are absolutely free!

For ticket information for the Celebration of the Power to Overcome gala, or for more information about the Different Strokes Golf Extravaganza, please call 764-5275.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and seven outpatient clinics, visit www.ShelteringArms.com, or call 1-877-56-REHAB.

###