News & Events

Congratulations to those of you who competed in or supported the 2nd Annual HeadNorth Challenge Half Marathon and 5K on November 15th. Thanks to your fundraising efforts, we have reached our goal, raising over $53,000!

We had approximately 180 participants in both the Half Marathon and 5K. The HeadNorth Challenge is one of two major annual fundraisers. Registrations and the monies raised more than doubled in a year after having 80 participants raising $20,000 in 2008.

We want to thank this year’s sponsors Nicolas-Applegate, Ability Center, California Bank and Trust and SHARP Rehabilitation Services for their support and helping us to ‘redefine what is possible’ for our SCI survivors.

As part of the Challenge, HeadNorth awarded $3,000 to the top handcycle and wheelchair division finalists for both men and women. Congratulations to the award winners and to everyone who participated in both the Half Marathon and 5K races.

Thank you again for everyone who supported us as a participant or sponsor.

On the week of October 12-16th as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Qualcomm partnered with HeadNorth to host the Day in a Chair program. During the weeklong program, participants experienced life as a paraplegic and were told to go about their daily activities. Seventeen participants from various departments in Qualcomm took part in this program.

Through Day in a Chair program, HeadNorth hopes to increase understanding of the challenges that a spinal cord injury (SCI) survivor faces on a daily basis

“HeadNorth’s Day in the Chair program is providing Qualcomm employees the opportunity to see their daily routine through new eyes and experience the challenges faced by people in wheelchairs,” said Dr. Daniel L. Sullivan, human resources, Qualcomm. “By sharing their experiences with their colleagues, the participants can help us all better appreciate the diverse needs of Qualcomm’s employees, and the needs of San Diego’s citizens.”

As part of the program participants were asked to complete an evaluation of their experience, and they expressed what they felt was the most beneficial part of the program. At the end of the week a round-table discussion was held where each participant had a chance to discuss his or her experience. The consensus was that this program was an eye-opening experience that brought awareness to those living and working while being confined to a wheelchair.

If you would like your company to have this eye-opening experience, please click on the HeadNorth ‘Program’ link.

On Friday, October 2nd, HeadNorth hosted its First Annual Appreciation Luncheon at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar, where we recognized our grant recipients and donors. Nearly 100 guests attended the luncheon and helped us recognize our supporters and present awards to several outstanding individuals.

Margarita Elizondo received the HeadNorth Hero Award, which recognizes a HeadNorth grant recipient for donating time and energy back to the HeadNorth Foundation to help other individuals and families that have been impacted by a spinal cord injury.

Elizondo was instrumental in spearheading the new Peer Support Program, which pairs a newly injured SCI with a mentor who has also experienced a spinal cord injury and successfully transitioned into an active lifestyle. The program was created in collaboration with Sharp Rehabilitation Services. Elizondo received a Response TWO grant from HeadNorth, which provided funding for the Sharp Rehabilitation Services driving program, as well as vehicle modifications for her van.

Steve Rosetta, who was instrumental in founding HeadNorth, was honored with the inaugural Steve Rosetta Award, named in his honor. The award recognizes an individual for dedication and service to the HeadNorth Foundation by going above and beyond in donating their time, talents and energy.

Rosetta, the former president of HeadNorth from 2006 to 2008, played a leading role in the development of the Foundation. A close friend of founder Eric Northbrook, Rosetta helped establish HeadNorth while Northbrook was still in rehabilitation from his accident, which left him a paraplegic. Rosetta remains extremely active and is currently a board member at large.

“These individuals’ generosity and support truly change the lives for the many people who turn to HeadNorth for help,” said Randal Schober, executive director of HeadNorth.

In addition to the two awards, HeadNorth also recognized several individuals for their ongoing support.

Andy Huesing was honored for his work on HeadNorth’s ‘How To’ videos and Michelle Hausman was recognized for her help with HeadNorth’s Response ONE Peer Support Program.

Saul Mendoza, a 14-year old resident of Escondido, who was biking down the street in early 2008 when he was hit by a hit and run driver, and then run over by a following car, was the keynote speaker at the awards ceremony. Mendoza, a ventilated quadriplegic, was accompanied by his mother who read a letter sharing her gratitude for HeadNorth’s grants which enabled them to get a vehicle that could accommodate her son’s wheelchair.

The appreciation luncheon was sponsored by Access Medical, Inc.

Eleventh Annual Spinal Cord Injury Center Veterans’ Workshop

Taking Control XI

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Multipurpose Room

VA San Diego HS Medical Center

Read more

Everyone is an Athlete!

A Night Out with Paul Chek & Briana Walker

October 9th at 8:00 pm

Carlsbad Village Theatre

2822 State Street. Carlsbad, CA 92008

View flyer

On Saturday, April 24th HeadNorth hosted its first annual Day in a Chair event. During the day long event, participants experienced life as either a quadriplegic or paraplegic and were asked to complete various tasks and activities, such as making a bed, purchasing items at a grocery store and transferring from the wheelchair to another chair, just to name a few. Eight (8) participants including HeadNorth board members and volunteers took part in the event.

Participants were each assigned to a spinal cord injury survivor as their chair mentor, who helped and guided them through their daily tasks.

Through Day in a Chair, HeadNorth hopes to increase understanding of the SCI community, as well as help individuals learn and experience what life is like for a paraplegic or quadriplegic.

“Wheelchair-bound individuals face numerous challenges in their every day life. Things that most people don’t even think about can be a challenge,” said Randal Schober, executive director of HeadNorth Foundation. “This event offered wheelchair-bound individuals the chance to show what life is like through their eyes, and it truly was an eye-opening experience for everyone involved.”

As part of the event, participants were videotaped throughout the day to record their experience. At the end of the day a round-table discussion was held with each participant and their chair mentor discussing their experience.

Local wheelchair bound patients could soon be driving again. Today, the HeadNorth Foundation donated this special Buick LeSabre to the Sharp Memorial Rehabilitation Center to help teach people with spinal injuries how to drive. The accelerator and brake are controlled by hand. The steering wheel has also been modified with other features to make driving the care easier.

THANK YOU:  On behalf of the Spinal Cord Community (SCI) and the rest of the HeadNorth staff and board members, I wish to thank everyone who participated in the 1^st Annual HeadNorth Challenge on  Nov. 16th, 2008.  We had over 70 athletes who ran and walked 13.1 miles and 5K events and numerous volunteers who kept us cool and hydrated at our water station.  Because of your generosity we were able to raise over $14,000 set to support our organization’s mission and projects.   Please put on your to-do- list for 2009 to join us.

Congratulations to the wheelchair winners and special thanks to Challenge committee and families and friends who made the event an enjoyable success. 

Sincerely,

Randal Schober

Executive Director