Plastics Make it Possible(SM) Helps Raise Nearly $50,000 for Athletes with Disabilities Network

ARLINGTON, Va., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate the achievements of athletes that competed in the 2010 Paralympic Games and all athletes with disabilities, Plastics Make it Possible(SM), an initiative sponsored by the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council, helped raise nearly $50,000 for Athletes with Disabilities Network (ADN), a partner with Easter Seals – Michigan, which provides services and mentorship for disabled athletes across the country.

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During March and April, people across the United States visited the Plastics Make it Possible(SM) website and Facebook page to make donations to ADN and help inspire athletes with disabilities to become future Paralympians. Plastics Make it Possible(SM) then matched dollar-for-dollar the $23,291 that was raised through corporate and private donations, for a total gift of $46,582 to ADN.

"We are thrilled to have raised money for an organization like Athletes with Disabilities Network to help inspire a whole new generation of athletes," said Steve Russell, vice president, Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council. "From carbon fiber technology used for shock absorption to custom-fitted sockets made from resilient polyethylene and polypropylene, plastics are a vital part of the innovative, active prostheses that are used by many disabled athletes in the sports they typically enjoy. This is a wonderful demonstration of how plastics are being used in innovative ways to help make people's lives better."  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 1.7 million amputees in the United States, many of whom rely on active and sports-grade prostheses to keep fit and stay healthy. These prostheses have been revolutionized by plastic materials that help make them stronger, lighter, and more flexible, and to function more like natural limbs. These high-tech prosthetic devices are being used by Paralympic athletes and by many non-competing amputees who want to continue to live an active lifestyle.

"We've seen firsthand how innovations in plastics used in active prostheses have helped athletes to not only overcome the trauma of limb loss, but flourish in competitive events like our own Extremity Games," said Elizabeth Taylor, executive director of ADN. "The donations made through this program will help many athletes continue to compete in the sports they love."

Established in 2009, ADN promotes a better quality of life by creating opportunities for people with physical disabilities. ADN operates and organizes the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, the only Hall of Fame completely dedicated to honoring individuals with disabilities for sport and recreation achievement, and Extremity Games, an international extreme sports competition for athletes living with limb loss or limb difference.

About Plastics Make it Possible(SM)

Plastics Make it Possible(SM) highlights the many ways plastics inspire innovations that improve our lives, solve big problems and help us design a safer, more promising future. This initiative is sponsored by the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council. For more information, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com, check out our Facebook page and follow us @plasticpossible on twitter at www.twitter.com/plasticpossible.

About Athletes with Disabilities Network

Established in 2009, Athletes with Disabilities Network (ADN) was formed by joining Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame (ADHOF) and Extremity Events Network, organizers of Extremity Games. ADN's mission is to promote a better quality of life by creating opportunities for people with physical disabilities.  Programs and services include the Athlete with Disabilities Hall of Fame, Extremity Games, Mentoring and Outreach, Adaptive Sports Coalition and Collegiate Scholarships.  For more information, please call 248.475.3623 or visit www.athleteswithdisabilities.org.

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The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $689 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.

SOURCE Plastics Make it Possible