First Fully Functional Quadriplegic to Race Dragboat at Dragboat Nationals July 11, Ft. Worth, TX

July 8, 2009 - PRLog -- Patrick Rummerfield, the first fully functional quadriplegic in the history of medicine, announced today that he has been invited by Extreme Beverage Company, makers of Bookoo and Fire it Up beverages, and by the organizers of the Cowtown Dragboat Nationals, to test-race a dragboat on July 11, during the racing weekend at Marine Creek Lake in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Mr. Rummerfield, who remained paralyzed from the neck down following an auto accident in 1974, was given 72 hours to live, and subsequently baffled the medical community by teaching himself to use his arms and legs again through self-determination and grueling, uncharted therapy, will test the Jetboat-style dragboat in preparation for his attempt to break the World Record for speed with an electric boat.

Patrick Rummerfield is no stranger to world records: in addition to being the world’s first fully functional quadriplegic, he is the holder of the FIA World Landspeed Record with an electric car, taking his electric vehicle to over 250 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, in 1999. Patrick is also the holder of 33 World’s Firsts.

“I have always been fascinated by fast races, as long as they are performed in safe, controlled places”, commented Patrick from his St. Louis, MO home. “The Cowtown Dragboat Nationals are just that venue! I want to show the world that, with the right commitment, iron will, and desire to succeed, anything is possible. I am thankful to Extreme Beverage Co. for this exciting opportunity.”

Mr. Rummerfield, who is rumored to be in talks with a car racing team for races in the NASCAR, ARCA, and ADRL circuits, will navigate the jetboat in a solo exhibition run that will take him to speeds in excess of 100 mph.

“We are honored to be able to have Patrick take one of these incredible boats for a spin!”, said Ken Reedy, of Quick Water Productions, promoter of the national race, which is expected to attract over 150 racers this year. “Determination, focus, and desire to win are what dragboat racing is all about. If we can play a role in allowing Patrick to establish the world speed record with an electric boat, and inspire others to reach for the stars in the process, we will have done a good thing.”

Mr. Rummerfield, whose solo run will take place in the afternoon of July 11, will use this experience to prepare himself for the upcoming attempt at breaking another world record. His primary focus, however, is to bring awareness to the importance of activity based restorative therapy and paralysis research.

About Patrick Rummerfield:
Patrick Rummerfield is the first fully functional quadriplegic in the history of medicine. Following a 1974 car accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down, Patrick entered an uncharted and grueling regimen of physical therapy and physical and psychological support. With sheer determination and an iron will, Patrick regained function to his limbs, and went on to race marathons all over the world, including the Ironman Triathlon, the Gobi Desert march, and the Antarctica marathon, and to establish the FIA World Land Speed record on an electric car, along with 33 World Firsts. Today Patrick works with the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger Institute and has co-founded Adventures on Wheels, a nonprofit organization developed to bring the world of adventure to those affected by spinal cord injury. Patrick is an accomplished motivational speaker. For additional information visit www.Rummerfield.com.

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Patrick Rummerfield is the first fully functional quadriplegic in the history of medicine. Following a 1974 car accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down, Patrick entered an uncharted and grueling regimen of physical therapy and physical and psychological support. With sheer determination and an iron will, Patrick regained function to his limbs, and went on to race marathons all over the world, including the Ironman Triathlon, the Gobi Desert march, and the Antarctica marathon, and to establish the FIA World Land Speed record on an electric car, along with 33 World Firsts. Patrick is an accomplished motivational speaker. For additional information visit www.Rummerfield.com.

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