Segways for Wounded Warriors

OTTAWA , Nov. 5 /CNW/ - Through a unique pilot project, Wounded Warriors.ca is pleased to announce the presentation of Segway Personal Transporters to seven Canadian Forces members who were wounded overseas. The cost of the Segways and related accessories were donated by Wounded Warriors.ca to the military members and was facilitated through the "Canadian Segways for Wounded Warriors" project.

"The Segway personal mobility device is truly an innovative and adaptable transportation option for lower limb amputees such as myself," says Major Mark Campbell , a Segway recipient and program participant. Mark was wounded in Afghanistan in 2008 and lost both legs above the knee. "This is a terrific gift on the part of Wounded Warriors.ca and I'm very excited about the positive impact this device is going to have on myself and my family."

Segways, the two-wheeled, battery-powered personal mobility devices boast a dynamic stabilization technology which automatically balances the user. The Segway comes in a variety of configurations that are suitable for the different injuries sustained by our wounded service members

"Segways have the potential to enhance the quality of family life and long distance mobility for wounded soldiers," said Mrs. Leslie Natynczyk , the Champion of Military Families. "The unwavering support, generosity and enthusiasm from Wounded Warriors.ca, Segway Canada , the Canadian Forces casualty support staff and the military rehabilitation team have been fantastic - thank you all from the bottom of my heart."

"Canadian Segways for Wounded Warriors" was the initiative of Mrs. Leslie Natynczyk after seeing the applications of Segways with injured American military members at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. one year ago.

Wounded Warriors.ca is an independent not-for-profit charity that supports Canadian soldiers wounded overseas. It is primarily a fundraising mechanism that contributes to existing support programs that tend to injured soldiers.

"This is an incredibly proud moment for all of us at Wounded Warriors.ca," says Wayne Johnston , the founder and president of the fund. "This pride stems from being able to contribute to the success of this pioneering program but also from witnessing the first-hand impact it has on the lives of these courageous wounded warriors."

In just three years, Wounded Warriors.ca has raised more than $600,000 . The health of the fund is a credit to the benevolence of Canadian citizens and corporations, like Iceberg Vodka, which named Wounded Warriors.ca as the beneficiary of their 2008 "Remember Our Heroes" campaign. Today Iceberg Vodka, in association with the LCBO presented Wounded Warriors.ca with a cheque in the amount of $61,949 .

"It is with great personal pleasure and a sense of duty that I present this cheque to Wounded Warriors.ca," says David Sacks , the president of Iceberg Vodka. "Being here and seeing the result of our fundraising and the first hand benefits is an entirely satisfying experience."

Wounded Warriors.ca was started by Captain Wayne Johnston when he was a military Assisting Officer for a severely wounded 20-year old soldier injured on September 18, 2006 in a suicide bombing near Kandahar City in Afghanistan . While he was at the hospital in Germany , Wayne was touched by the generosity of medical staff who dipped into their own pockets to provide quality of life needs for wounded soldiers. He started the charity immediately upon his return and it has grown steadily.

Wounded Warriors.ca is a registered charity with a voluntary board of directors. It fully recognizes the priority to treat visible and non-visible injuries, like that of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

For further information: More information may be found on the Internet at www.woundedwarriors.ca; Contact; Wayne Johnston, [phone], President and Founder; Jon O'Connor, [phone], Communications