Abilities Expo does not merely inform, it engages and it entertains. "Wheelz" Fotheringham will perform his jaw-clenching, Guinness-record earning wheelchair back flip. Attendees who thought rock climbing was outside the realm of possibility will find themselves at the top of a fully-accessible adaptive rock climbing wall. The next Ms. Wheelchair California will be crowned on site. To round it out, there will be interactive adaptive sports, dance performances and instruction, adaptive rowing, canine assistance demos, kid-focused activities and an Artist Market showcasing the works of local artists with disabilities. There will even be free H1N1 vaccinations administered by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health while supplies last.

Celebrity Encounters

Actor, writer and producer Richard "Jaws" Kiel will be signing autographs and photos for fans at the Expo. The 7'2" Hollywood legend is best known as the relentless, steel-tooth assassin who pursues James Bond across multiple continents in The Spy Who Loved Me and as Adam Sandler's biggest fan in Happy Gilmore.

Paralympian athlete Angela Madsen will also be on hand to demonstrate adaptive rowing and showcase her famous ocean rowing boat, RowofLife. It was this vessel that carried her into Guinness record fame as the first woman to row across the Indian Ocean.

Miracles Happen

Attendee Desiree Trujillo, the mother of five-year-old Alexzander, a child with congenital cerebral palsy, is especially excited about the upcoming event. "I can't wait for the new Abilities Expo!" she said. "Zander has gotten very good with the walker he received at last year's show and wants to show off."

When fitted with Prime Engineering's KidWalk at the 2009 Southern California Abilities Expo, Alexzander walked hands-free for the first time. Witnessing the child's profound transformation from a neighboring booth, Joe Hallock and Gregg Weinschrieder, co-owners of SleepSafe Beds, bought the life-changing equipment for him.

SOURCE Abilities Expo