The Skinny on...

Abilities Expo Southern California Show

By Sarah Lopez

In Photo from Left:

Darwin Holmes, Sarah Lopez, Juliette Rizzo

The Skinny is a new feature on EnabledOnline.com. A column that will be featured in the premier of EnabledOnline's newsletter in July, the Skinny will give details regarding an event, person, or product of interest to EnabledOnline.com and its users.

In true Southern California style, the Abilities Expo was “totally awesome dude” for persons with disabilities, their friends, family, caregivers and healthcare providers.  Even Wheely Willy (www.wheelywilly.com) enjoyed the show.  Located at the Anaheim Convention Center, out of town visitors were entertained by Star Wars Fan Fest convention attendees (www.lucasarts.com) at the Hilton Hotel across the street.  And many wondered if it was normal to enjoy the breakfast buffet while sitting at a table next to Darth Vader and Storm Troopers.

Ms. Wheelchair America 2005, Juliette Rizzo, was in attendance to autograph copies of Enabled in Words.  She could regularly be found in the company of two, former Ms. Wheelchair California’s.  The current Ms. Wheelchair California, a contender for the crown at the next national pageant in July, made her grand entrance on Sunday.  Enabled in Words was sold at the show to raise funds for the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (www.nscia.org).

Darwin Holmes, extreme skater and a gold medalist from the Disabled Veterans Games, was the king of his own court at the Abilities Expo.  Representing Colours in Motion (www.colourswheelchair.com), Holmes signed autographs for hours.  Also seen in the proximity of the Colours booth was Jesse Billauer (www.liferollson.org).  You can get more information on Darwin Holmes at his website www.farfrumwalkn.com, and see his extreme skating video clips at www.ilix.tv.  

Bill Lasher of Lasher Sport in Anchorage, Alaska made the trek to Anaheim to showcase his custom, sport wheelchairs (www.lashersport.com).  Frog Legs President, Mark Chelgren, personally visited each booth to say hello and give away a Mark Wellman poster. (www.froglegsinc.com). Carmen Jones rolled-out a fantastic educational session (www.disability-marketing.com).  Marc Buoniconti (www.cureparalysis.org) was on hand to help at the Hollister booth (www.hollister.com).  And, the guys from Permobil (www.permobil.com) had my pick for best give-away with a “totally rad” pen that hangs around your neck.

A new product debuted at the Abilities Expo in Southern California, the FAWSsit™ - www.cgsp.net.  Finally, there is an affordable product designed for persons with disabilities to improve accessibility in travel, and comfort at home.  This folding, collapsible shower is designed to use anywhere.  Rumor has it that CGSP is attempting to sign with Darwin Holmes for future sponsorship.  Smart businesses would do well to keep their eye on the FAWSsit™. 

So that’s the Skinny on the Abilities Expo.  If you would like to attend or exhibit at a future show, please visit www.abilitiesexpo.com.