Paralyzed Former Football Player On the Move: Reaches out to Newly paralyzed victim

October 6 marks the day when 4 years ago 21 year old Rob Komosa was paralyzed during football practice at Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Since that tragic day, he has been a beacon of optimism for others. Today he works with the Chicago Bears to help Kyle Signorelli obtain a wheelchair

+On Monday October 6, 2003, the 4th anniversary of his football injury, Rob Komosa is hosting a press conference to be held at 2004 Woodview Drive, Mount Prospect at 4:30 PM. Rob will share news of how he fights to overcome the aftermath of his own injury by looking beyond himself and helping others. In Komosas own life things have gone from bad to worse.

Paralyzed quadriplegic Rob Komosa will spend the day of his injury not wallowing in self-pity, but reaching out to help another young man recently paralyzed.

+Rob, and young quadriplegic, Kyle Signorelli and his family, along with a representative from the Chicago Bears, and Tom Touhy, Executive Director of the Dreams for Kids Foundation teams will meet at the Komosa home at this time. Rob is launching a campaign to assist Kyle and his Naperville family obtain a wheelchair accessible van. Kyles spinal cord injury occurred 20 months ago.

FROM BAD TO WORSE
Monday, October 6, is the anniversary of a date four years ago that 21 year-old quadriplegic Rob Komosa cant get out of his head. This was the tragic day that has placed him on a life support ventilator unable to move anything below his chin. The life-changing injury happened during football practice at Rolling Meadows High School when he was forcefully tackled into a fence post on the sideline. The aftermath of the impact of that injury to Rob head and spinal cord lingers on. It remains a miracle that he survived and still is called a miracle that his attitude is positive and hopeful. Robs body still uncontrollably trembles every few moments. His insurance does not cover any of the 24-hour specialized nursing he requires. He has no access to physical therapy. His mother had to quit her job to provide care for him, round the clock. Rob regrets not being able to go to college as he would need to be assisted in class by both a nurse. There is no money for any of that. Rob depends upon donations and state funding for most of his extensive day-to-day needs. He is not connected to any research projects like well-known superstar Christopher Reeves. In the big picture, many aspects of his life have gone from bad, to worse.

ROB RECRUITS BEARS AND DREAMS FOR KIDS
Rob Komosa and Rocky Clark were generously presented with an opportunity to auction off tickets for two persons to raise the nets behind the goals at the November 2nd Bears home game at the renovated Soldier Field as a way to help them raise funds for their college plans. The boys have chosen to share the proceeds with Kyle Signorelli a former Naperville Central student who became paralyzed following a spinal cord injury sustained in a fight. Rob and Rocky know firsthand the difficulty of getting a wheelchair accessible van as a first step toward picking up the pieces of their lives after spinal cord injuries derailed their mobility. Rob with the help of the Bears, and Dreams for Kids Foundation previously formed a team with Chicago media personalities last year at this time to help Eisenhower football player, Rocky Clark get his wheelchair accessible van. Instead of wallowing in self-pity and depression, Rob is working hard to overcome his difficult circumstances by building alliances to assist others. Note: Rob meets Kyle and his family for the first time today. Komosa recently heard about Kyles spinal cord injury in July after reading about his story in the Daily Herald as the person who paralyzed him was recently sentenced to serve time for the attack.

ANN KOMOSA SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON
Rob has mobilized his friends and supporters to help his younger sister Ann meet college expenses. Ann is beginning her third year at NIU in DeKalb. The event will be held on Saturday October 11, 2003 at 11:30 A.M. at the White Eagle Restaurant in Niles. The restaurant is located at 6839 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Niles. The cost of the event will be $35. Contact Betsy Wilson at 847-253-8775 for reservations. Wheelchair Olympian, Linda Mastandrea is the keynote speaker. Ann Komosa will also speak sharing her personal perspectives about using personal strength and courage in tough times.