Photographer Christopher Voelker Named Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Ambassador

Voelker to help spread awareness of Foundation's mission and services, to appear on Sundance Channel's 'Push Girls'

SHORT HILLS, N.J., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the national, non-profit organization dedicated to funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals living with paralysis, announced today that Christopher Voelker, a professional Los Angeles-based photographer living with paralysis, has been named a program ambassador. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100511/REEVELOGO)

"Christopher is joining our ambassador family as an individual whose unique experience and talent match the work we do," said Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Reeve Foundation. "His compassion, integrity and talent endure in the memory of anyone who knows his work or has had the privilege to share his world. Already an advocate for our community, we couldn't be more thrilled to have Christopher provide his passion and expertise."

Voelker, who specializes in human landscape photography, has judged online photo contests for the Reeve Foundation and has shot professional images for the "Paralysis Resource Guide." In addition to becoming a Reeve Foundation Ambassador, Voelker will also appear on the July 9^th episode of Push Girls, airing at 10 p.m. ET on the Sundance Channel, alongside Push Girls star and fellow Reeve Foundation Ambassador Angela Rockwood.

"My ultimate desire is to capture a person living with a disability as a creative work of art while removing the stigma of illogical stereotyping," said Voelker. "I am proud to work with the Reeve Foundation to help spread awareness of its mission to help individuals living with spinal cord injuries, and hope it opens the doors for people living with paralysis to jump into their dreams of delving into the arts."

A native of Los Angeles, Christopher has been living with paralysis since a high-speed motocross accident when he was 16 years old. During his life-altering rehabilitation from his spinal injury, Christopher discovered that his love of photography—with a focus on black and white images—was his life's passion.

About the Reeve Foundation

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.  For more information, and to review the entire list of Quality of Life grant recipients, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.

SOURCE Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation