IRL: Cody Unser honored for work to combat paralysis
12 February 2000
Posted by Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Cody Unser, 13-year-old daughter of Indy Racing
standout Al Unser Jr., was presented with a commendation Feb. 4 by the New
Mexico State Legislature for her work to combat paralysis and generate
public awareness of transverse myelitis.
Cody was stricken with the rare spinal-cord infection last year and since has formed the Cody Unser First Step Foundation.
New Mexico Speaker of the House Raymond Sanchez made the proclamation, and the entire legislature gave Cody two standing ovations. Her older brother, Al, 16, lifted Cody from her wheelchair and placed her in a seat next to the Speaker.
"This is a different kind of race than the Unser family is used to, but I am going to win," Cody told the Legislature.
A transcript of the speech and photos of the event are located on the foundations Web site, www.CodysFirstStep.org .
Text provided by: IRL
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos
and art, visit
The Racing
Photo Museum and the
Visions
of Speed Art Gallery.