“VICTORIES OF SPIRIT” EVENT JUNE 1 HIGHLIGHTS STORIES OF RESILIENCE, COURAGE AND STRENGTH

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May 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Jamul resident Heather Berner is among those to be honored by Sharp HealthCare Foundation’s 2012 Victories of Spirit event.  The event, which honors extraordinary individuals and community organizations for their inspirational achievements and contributions to others, will be held on Friday, June 1 at 6 p.m. at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego.

 

“The Victories of Spirit event celebrates the power of rehabilitation and strength of the human spirit, honoring former rehabilitation patients who have overcome great adversity,” said David Brown, System Director of Rehabilitation Services for Sharp HealthCare. “This year, we will also celebrate Sharp’s legacy of providing exemplary rehabilitation services to the San Diego community — for 50 years at Sharp Memorial Hospital and 35 years at Sharp Grossmont Hospital.”
 

Four individuals and one local organization will be honored with the Eagle Spirit Award, an award that symbolizes the Navajo sign of the most potent healing power. This year's individual award recipients are Heather Berner, Randy Ewing, Bill Lundstrom and Russell Storm. HeadNorth will receive the award for Community Achievement. These compelling stories of determination and compassion will be shared at the event.
2012 Victories of Spirit Eagle Spirit Award Winners

Patient Achievement:

Heather Berner
Following a liver transplant, Heather experienced complications that severely affected her brain function.  During her time at Sharp Rehabilitation Center, Heather had to relearn many activities of daily living, including speech, balance and mobility.  Through her personal challenges, the Jamul resident was inspired to help others by providing counseling and support through various organizations, including Sharp Rehabilitation, Vista Hill/ ParentCare Family Recovery Center and the La Mesa Health Care Center.
 
Randy Ewing
Randy — a member of the UCSD ski and snowboard team — sustained a traumatic brain injury while attempting an advanced snowboarding trick.  Sharp Rehabilitation Center helped Randy develop the skills needed to return to college and continue to pursue his dreams.  Randy’s passion for sports inspired his involvement with High Fives and CR Johnson Foundations, two organizations dedicated to helping people who have suffered life-altering sports injuries. 
 
Bill Lundstrom
In 2002, Bill sustained traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries in a motorcycle accident that left him a paraplegic.  At Sharp Rehabilitation Center, Bill demonstrated his ability to overcome challenges and his determination to thrive every day.  Today, Bill continues to share his positive outlook on life with others.  He founded Fighting Chair Sports, providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy sports and the outdoors, and co-created a new sport — wheelchair lacrosse.
 
Russell Storm
Russell suffered a stroke at the age of 28.  As a former collegiate football player and a successful businessman, Russell’s competitive spirit, work ethic and positive attitude helped him regain use of the right side of his body. Today, he demonstrates his compassion for giving back to other Sharp Rehabilitation patients through one-on-one mentoring and speaking engagements.
 
Community Achievement
 
HeadNorth
Each year, more than 100 San Diegans sustain a life-altering spinal cord injury — changing their lives and the lives of their loved ones.  Expenses in the first year following injury can exceed $250,000 for a paraplegic and $450,000 for a quadriplegic.  HeadNorth is dedicated to providing help and hope for spinal cord injury survivors by offering resources, peer support and financial assistance from recovery through reintegration into the community.
 
Programs Benefiting from 2012 Victories of Spirit
 
Advancing the Future of Rehabilitation
 
This annual celebration is sponsored by Sharp HealthCare Foundation and will benefit Sharp Rehabilitation Services and its programs, including: 
  • Adaptive Sports Programs, including adapted water sports, wheelchair tennis quad rugby and wheelchair lacrosse.
  • Challenged Women’s Support Initiative, which provides volunteer and employment opportunities, education and peer support services to women living with physical disabilities in San Diego.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury Support Programs, which include services such as adapted driving assessment and training, community integration, peer support and mentoring programs, and neuropsychological services.
  • General Rehabilitation Fund, which allows Sharp Rehabilitation Services to fund programs and services as needs arise throughout the year.
 
For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Sharp Rehabilitation Services at 858-939-3085 or visit www.sharp.com/rehab.
 
 
 

 


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