Team Independence '09

On December 3, 2009 the “Team Independence” of David Shannon and Christopher Watkins (both individuals living with disabilities) will embark on a world record sky dive outside of New Orleans, La. in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons. The sky dive will be facilitated by Incredible Adventures Inc. (www.incredible-adventures.com) with whom Dave and Chris will Dream the Extreme.

At +30,000 feet the dive will represent a world record for a person with quadriplegia. The purpose of the dive is to celebrate and publicize the advancements made for persons with a disability, including major human rights milestones such as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Shannon and Watkins are both lawyers in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada and each has a disability. Shannon has quadriplegia as the result of a spinal cord injury at age 18 and Watkins has a significant form of arthritis. They have embarked on other projects together including a trip to the North Pole in April 2009 and a planned expedition to the South Pole in 2010. The purpose of these extreme and hazardous expeditions is to engage all people in these exciting projects, and to demonstrate that there are no limits to the potential of the human spirit, regardless of any physical disability.

Dave and Chris also deeply believe in the power of education to provide people with an opportunity to participate fully in their communities. Dave noted, “This is the greatest way to level the playing field for persons with a disability so that they can pursue all of their dreams, whether that is to get a job, join a club or enjoy travel”. Therefore all proceeds raised by going to www.teamindependence.ca will be directed to a special scholarship fund for students with a disability.

To arrange media interviews or for general inquiries please contact Darren Lillington at dslillin@lakeheadu.ca or by phone at 807-621-9680.

We invite you to share this exciting information with all who may be interested and to post the information on your website.