Daughter of racing
legend says decision to allow federal funding waves the green flag for the race
for miracles.
The race is back on for Cody Unser
(of the Unser racing Family) and she is more than thrilled with President
Obama's decision to reverse the embryonic stem cell funding. Cody
desperately tried to get President Bush to allow funding almost a decade
ago, and was labeled “Rat Girl" by the Washington post after she was seen
on Capitol Hill with her doctors from John’s Hopkins taking the science room to
room. Cody continued the fight for years helping the late Christopher
Reeve whenever she was called upon to lobby on Capitol Hill; as well as trying
to help Governor Bill Richardson change outdated laws in her
own state of New Mexico.
Paralyzed from the chest down since
the age of twelve from Transverse Myelitis, Cody spent time talking and
writing to whomever would listen; from news stations and morning shows, too
knocking on doors of leaders like Senator Pete Domenici (who opposed but
remained friends.) While this was lot for a young girl to take on, trying to
be being the voice of so many, she embraced the challenge and looked for
advice about how to use her voice effectively.
Cody is hopeful now that
politics has been taken out of the picture.
“I never lost hope in the science
and the dedicated scientists who persevered through the politics, but honestly,
I was losing hope and faith in my government.
But today tells a different story and every group that will benefit from
the power of these cells can celebrate loudly.”
Cody who graduates from the
University of Redlands this May with the her degree in Biopolitics will
be busy with the release of her documentary film
"CODY”, narrated by Glenn Close and produced by Multi-Emmy winning
Christopher Productions to air on PBS.
She hopes the film will inspire everyone to live life to the
fullest. She also hopes the film will
raise much needed awareness and funding for stem cell research and a
better understanding of what it means living with paralysis while trying to
stay healthy. Cody has often said in her speeches that one voice does have
power and because of that we should never let hope disappear.
"Today validates what
Christopher Reeve was saying all along, ‘GO FORWARD’, it is my opinion that
President Obama just made that so. There are millions battling with different
diseases and paralyzing conditions and this kind of hope is what we all have
waited for. My hope to walk again has now been solidified and coupled with
my renewed faith in my government. I
wish Superman was here. Thank you, Mr. President!
Cody
Documentary Opens in New York, May 1, 2009
University
of Redlands Announces support of Cody Unser Documentary Run in New York
Oscar
Qualifying Runs Scheduled for the Cody Unser Documentary
Christopher
and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act passes in US House of Representatives
Watch
the Trailer of CODY: The Ground-Breaking Documentary
Cody
Receives Inspiration Award
Stem
Cells May Be Her Only Hope
John Hopkins - Stem
Research
Changing
Gears - People Magazine
Cody Unser -
Life Underwater
FRIEDMAN
CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Kids Hall of Fame
Deep Throttle Cody
Unser - Never Say Never Again
Cody Unser
First Step Foundation California TM
