Cody Unser, founder of
the Cody Unser First Step Foundation, was honored this past weekend with the "Inspiration Award" by Shane's Inspiration.
Cody, 22, was paralyzed 10 years ago as a result of transverse myelitis, a disease of the spinal cord. She has dedicated herself to help others with paralysis by raising funds for research and public awareness. Cody was a friend of the late Christopher Reeve; her foundation is a member of the Reeve Foundation's Paralysis Task Force.
Shane's Inspiration is a Los Angeles based non-profit that builds inclusive playgrounds all over the world so children with disabilities are able to play along side other children. Shane's has been a recipient of the
Reeve Foundation's Quality of Life grants program.
Says Cody, who attends college at the University of Redlands: "No child should be denied access because of a disability. To play is to live...I am honored to be a part of something so special."
Cody's foundation has been busy setting up scuba adventures, including "Operation Deep Down," an adaptive scuba program for disabled veterans and their families.
A documentary about Cody (called "Cody") is set for release soon on PBS.
