Beaverton, Oregon, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NFL Linebacker and Nike Athlete, Shaquem Griffin, who is the first arm amputee to play in the league – joined the Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF), Össur, and Nike to surprise 10-year-old Izzy Turkington from Salem, Oregon with a customized pair of Össur Flex Run Junior with Nike Sole running prosthetics. Izzy, who was born with quad congenital limb differences, is an active young athlete that loves soccer, running, surfing and caring for his animals.
Along with Izzy, more than 100 individuals of all ages and abilities from the Pacific Northwest region participated in the CAF sports clinics. The clinics, which are provided at no cost to people with physical challenges, build community and teach technique and skills across running and mobility, swimming, rock climbing, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.
Athlete participants were coached by top athletes and instructors in adaptive sports including: Team Össur, Nike Athlete and CAF ambassador Sarah Reinertsen – the first above-knee amputee woman to complete the IRONMAN World Championship, Dr. Bob Gailey – leading mobility and gait expert for amputees, Peter Harsch - of Peter Harsch Prosthetics, and Paralympians Trenten Merrill (Track & Field, Team USA), Steve Serio (Wheelchair Basketball, Team USA), Trooper Johnson (Wheelchair Basketball Coach, Team USA), Sam Suroweic (Sitting Volleyball) and Bethany Zummo (Sitting Volleyball, Team USA). Through community partners Adaptive Sports Northwest, Oregon Adaptive Sports and the Clark County Family YMCA, athletes were given a chance to experience a variety of sports across all levels.
Isaiah Pead, former NFL Running Back Isaiah Pead, was also in attendance and participated in the adaptive sports clinics on his journey to re-invent himself as a competitive athlete, after a career-ending car accident led to the amputation of his left leg above the knee.
“Seeing the joy on Izzy’s face when he received his running prosthetics and then running on them for the first time alongside Shaquem is why we are dedicated to our 20-year partnership with CAF,” said Tabi King, Marketing Director Prosthetics for Össur Americas and CAF Board Member. “Our goal is to ensure amputees of all ages are able to be active and enjoy a life without limitations. By being part of the CAF grant program providing high performing running feet and offering (7) Össur Running and Mobility Clinics presented by CAF across the country, we take a proactive role in helping those with limb loss pursue their dreams of enjoying the full benefits of mobility and physical activity.”
“Nike’s mission is to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete – and we believe that if you have a body, you are an athlete. Through our long-standing partnership with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, we are able to provide more access to sport for athletes of all abilities,” said Swan Paik, Senior Director of Nike Universal Ease. “Last Saturday many athletes were once again able to experience first-hand the transformative power of sport by participating in five adaptive sports clinics during our 5thannual mobility clinic at Nike World Headquarters."
The partnership between CAF and Nike started when the foundation was born in 1994, and Nike was one of the first sponsors of the CAF San Diego Triathlon Challenge. Nike’s support has continued over the last 25 years with product donations and financial support – totaling over $1,250,000 – that benefit CAF athlete grant recipients and sponsor sport clinics and camps that provide athletes with the skills and coaching they need to confidently reach their athletic goals.
Select photosand b-roll
About Challenged Athletes Foundation
The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a world leader in helping people with physical challenges lead active, healthy lifestyles. CAF believes that participation in physical activity at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. Since 1994, more than $93 million has been raised and over 26,000 funding requests from people with physical challenges in all 50 states and 70 countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it’s a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear: give opportunities and support to those with the desire to live an active and athletic lifestyle. To learn more, visit www.challengedathletes.org
and follow @cafoundation.
About Össur
Össur (NASDAQ: OSSR) is a global leader in non-invasive orthopedics that help people live a life without limitations. Its business is focused on improving people’s mobility through the delivery of innovative technologies within the fields of Prosthetic, Osteoarthritis and Injury Solutions. A recognized “Technology Pioneer,” Össur invests significantly in research and product development—its award-winning designs ensuring a consistently strong position in the market. Successful patient and clinical outcomes are further empowered via Össur’s educational programs and business solutions. Headquartered in Iceland, Össur has major operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, with additional distributors worldwide. To learn more, visit www.ossur.com.
About NIKE, Inc.
NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiary brands include Converse, which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Hurley , which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, NIKE, Inc.’s earnings releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at http://investors.nike.com. Individuals can also visit http://news.nike.comand follow @NIKE.
# # #
Attachments