Former Indiana Pacers Player Practices Perseverance While Trying To Win a ... - PR Web (press release)

Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) May 10, 2012

Damon Parks suffered a T2 spinal cord injury as a victim during a robbery in Anniston, AL Halloween night 1996. Following his injury, he became a motivational speaker for the Think First Program (a spinal cord, brain injury, and shaken baby prevention program). For 12 years, he has spoken to colleges, junior high and high schools, churches, penitentiaries, antiviolence programs, long distance programs, and EKG programs (educating kids on gun violence). In addition, he once played for the Indiana Pacers Wheelchair basketball team. The story he now tells is meant to inspire, motivate, and educate people about how to overcome life’s obstacles by making positives out of negatives. “The injured need to know it is possible to live happy, productive, and independent lives regardless of a spinal cord injury.” Currently, he attends school at IUPUI in Indianapolis. His future goals include becoming a health/physical education teacher, starting a non-profit national motivational speaking program, and to coach high school and eventually college level basketball teams. To travel back and forth to school during bad weather, he relies on public transportation. Though challenging at times, he feels he has to demonstrate the perseverance that he preaches to others. In April, Damon’s story was entered into a Local Hero contest that is being sponsored by NMEDA (National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association) and part of National Mobility Awareness Month. The grand prize is one of three Wheelchair Accessible Vans that will be awarded during the month of May based on the number of votes received from friends, family and the public. To vote for Damon’s story, please visit http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com and search for him my name under Local Heroes. Voting ends May 13th. He is excited thinking about winning a van and having the opportunity to drive again! He is looking forward to the independence it will grant him as well as opening up opportunities to reach out and enrich the lives of many more people.

Superior Van and Mobility, a Louisville based mobility dealer with locations in Louisville and Lexington, KY, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Evansville, IN, and Knoxville, TN is an active member of NMEDA. To help raise local awareness about National Mobility Awareness Month, they are sponsoring numerous events throughout May as well as helping to promote the Local Heroes in the cities they serve. Please visit their website to learn more about the Free Van Contest, and the events and giveaways they are sponsoring in Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee (http://www.superiorvan.com).

About National Mobility Awareness Month:
National Mobility Awareness Month is the inaugural May celebration that encourages people with disabilities to enjoy active, mobile lifestyles. Founded in 1989 as a non-profit trade association, The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association sponsors the awareness month with the assistance of more than 600 mobility equipment dealers, manufacturers and driver rehabilitation specialists dedicated to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities. For updates on the awareness month and local heroes overcoming mobility issues, please visit NMEDA’s Facebook, Twitter, or website.

About Superior Van and Mobility:
Superior Van and Mobility is dedicated to providing persons with disabilities the most innovative mobility solutions on the market. Celebrating its 36th year of serving the disabled community, Superior provides lowered floor minivans, mobility seating options, hand controls, Scooters and Wheelchair Lifts, and a variety of other driving aids, all of which meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Superior Van & Mobility has seven locations throughout Indiana, Kentucky and Eastern Tennessee and also offers equipment training for all of its products. For more information, visit http://www.superiorvan.com.