We saw the story online earlier this week that
Affliction (the very cool clothing store -- think dark and powerful, worn by elite athletes, heaviest
bands, A-listers -- was donating money to the Foundation in honor of Peter Facinelli's (of
Twilight fame and currently starring in the new show
Nurse Jackie on Showtime)
Twitter bet with Rob DeFranco (CEO of
211(me), a developer of iPhone, mobile and social network applications).
We all IMed each other happy faces and then "Does anyone know why
Affliction picked us?" We did not.
After a few phone calls, we discovered that Ian Hampshire, whose parents both work for
Affliction, is spinal cord injured. His family shared his story:
Ian Hampshire was a 16-year-old high school football and lacrosse player who loved surfing, skating, snowboarding, dirt-biking and BMX-ing. On February 2, 2008 everything changed when Ian was injured in a dirt bike accident, fracturing his spine at the T-5 level, and leaving him paralyzed. Ian has spent the past year doing intense physical therapy and trying to adjust his lifestyle to his new reality. His bravery, hope, and strength continue to inspire everyone around him.
Despite his injury Ian has stayed positive and continues to focus on the future. In the year since his accident, Ian has started to drive again with hand controls, has surfed in San Onofre, gone off-roading in the desert, attended his first high school prom, and recently started wheelchair football and basketball. Ian continues to push the limits and concentrate on what he can do rather than what he can’t. He believes that anything is possible and is determined to live life to the fullest.
This whole Twitter event brought me right to our
paralysis population survey, which we called
One Degree of Separation. It is so true that we all know someone who is living with paralysis.
It was very kind of
Affliction to think of us. Thank you.
Rob
PS: Peter Facinelli is doing an autograph signing this Tuesday at
Affliction's flagship store in LA. Stop by and say thank you to him, and the folks at the store for us, please.
