Local rehab patients are now getting the chance to smile while they heal thanks to local trial attorneys. The first three Mondays in August, 53 law firms from 25 states will band together to donate more than 60 Nintendo Wii gaming systems to rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and hospitals all over America. The firms are all members of a consumer safety community called InjuryBoard (http://www.injuryboard.com/). With more than half its membership participating, InjuryBoard hopes the event will inspire attorneys everywhere to give back to their communities.
 |
| Attorneys Matt Buckmiller and Jean Martin of Shipman & Wright, L.L.P. appear with the staff at Oleander Rehab Center outpatient clinic as they donate a Ninteno Wii on behalf of their firm. |
The Wii was selected because of a recent trend in rehabilitation toward a new treatment technique known as "Wiihab." Wiihab makes use of the gaming system's unique, live motion play to offer patients a fun and less painful exercise medium. The InjuryBoard firms, all of whom represent victims of serious accidents, hope that their donations will ease the recovery of those in need and will help patients find enjoyment in an otherwise painful and difficult process. InjuryBoard member and local attorney Jean Martin explains, "Our firm has seen firsthand the tremendous work performed by the doctors and staff at Coastal Rehab. Most notably, Coastal Rehab contributed significantly to the recovery of our client Alex McBride who suffered a traumatic brain injury and other physical injuries as a result of an auto accident. The care and support that Alex received from Coastal Rehab was outstanding. We wanted to show our appreciation and say "Thank You" to Coastal Rehab on behalf of Alex and the hundreds of other patients who have been served there. Shipman and Wright is so pleased to be able to help a facility that helps so many on a daily basis."
InjuryBoard was founded by Tampa, Florida attorney Tom Young. "InjuryBoard is a network of trial attorneys," says Young, "and too often trial attorneys are saddled with an undeservedly poor reputation." According to Young, InjuryBoard is committed to revealing to consumers the truth about personal injury attorneys. "Our members are some of the kindest, most genuine people I know. These are folks who shunned big law firms, prestige and easy money in favor of helping their communities," Young says. "I am constantly humbled by the commitment our members have to helping injured people. Our hope with events like this is that we can do some good for injured people, from victims of auto accidents to defective products, by helping them get back on their feet. This Wii giveaway is a natural extension of the work our member firms do every day."
The giveaway is sponsored by the InjuryBoard Foundation, a non-profit organization which acts as the charitable arm of InjuryBoard.com. The purpose of the InjuryBoard Foundation is to help individuals and communities live safer, happier lives through increased awareness and community outreach. Young says that the incredible success and broad participation in this Wii giveaway has inspired InjuryBoard to organize these events on a regular basis. "We plan on utilizing the foundation to help as many people as we can. This is just the beginning," Young adds. "We're planning child safety seat drives, bicycle helmet giveaways and anything else we can think of to get people the help they need and make our communities safer."