SHORT HILLS, N.J., March 2 /U.S. Newswire/ — The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center (PRC), a program of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF), is sponsoring Gary Karp for a second round of speaking engagements at four new locations in Florida — three in Miami and one in Fort Lauderdale — to educate the public on healthy living with paralysis. Author and public speaker Karp, who sustained a spinal cord injury in 1973 after falling 25 feet from a tree, hopes to turn the common perceptions of life with a Disability upside down-one person at a time.
“Having a disability today is simply not the horribly limiting experience most people imagine,” says Karp. “I had a tragic experience when I was 18 but it doesn’t make me a tragic person now.”
Telling his own story of injury and Rehabilitation, Karp shares his personal and professional journey of adjustment, breaking through the negative social assumptions about disability. He explores the innate and universal drive in all people to strive for the most in their lives — and that drive allowed him to thrive as a graphic designer, author, journalist, musician, and juggler.
Gary Karp is an internationally recognized and highly sought after public speaker and the author of the critically acclaimed books, “Life On Wheels: For the Active Wheelchair User” and “Choosing A Wheelchair: A Guide For Optimal Independence” (O’Reilly & Associates, pub.), both widely reviewed as definitive guides for people with a mobility disability. His new book, co- edited with Stanley Klein, Ph.D., is a collection of essays called, “From There To Here: Stories of Adjustment to Spinal Cord Injury.” He is a regular contributor to New Mobility magazine, a board member of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, and can be heard as a guest commentator on KQED radio in San Francisco.
The PRC along with New Mobility magazine is proud to sponsor and support Gary Karp to travel and educate audiences in both rehabilitation and university settings to provide inspiration and information about what it’s like to live with paralysis.
“I had the opportunity to meet Gary about a year ago and I was so impressed with his candor and demeanor,” said Joe Canose, director of the PRC. “Gary is the perfect person to help the PRC educate the public, including healthcare providers, students and disabled individuals, about quality of life issues for people living with paralysis.”
Gary Karp is scheduled to speak at the following venues:
— Monday, March 8, 2004 at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis – call 305-525-1339
— Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at Florida International University – call 305-348-2263
— Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at the University of Miami – call 305-248-4535
— Thursday, March 11, 2004 at Nova Southeastern University – call 954-262-1662
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center promotes the health and well-being of people living with paralysis and their families by providing comprehensive information resources and referral services. For more information, visit http//www.paralysis.org or call 800-539-7309
Media Note: Gary Karp is available for interviews, please contact Julie Kwon.
© 2004 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
