William Heiser was born January 17, 1964 in Wantagh, New York
into a family of seven children. At a young age, William joined
a local swim team and fell in love with the sport. He actively
pursued swimming into his teenage years and over time strengthened
his ability as a competitive athlete, leading him to a lifeguard
position at the age of 16 which was
two years earlier than the requirements at that time.
During the spring of 1981, William took up the sport of lacrosse
to
maintain conditioning for future swimming competitions. In the
first
game of the Wantagh High School lacrosse season he suffered a
spinal cord injury resulting in quadriplegia at the age of 17.
This was a moment
in time that changed the course of the lives of William and his
family.
Throughout his rehabilitation period and into his adult life,
William strived to accomplish the most he could each day by getting
out in the world, no matter how difficult or labor intensive the
obstacles were that confronted him. In 1993, with the help of
friends and family, he founded The William Heiser Foundation where
he held the position of Chairman until his passing on March 4th,
2006.
William and Foundation members visited numerous laboratories and
symposiums throughout the years to observe the latest research
dedicated to curing spinal cord injuries. His insistence on not
sitting
back and letting his disability take control of his life opened
up
numerous relationships with some of the most renowned neuroscientists
in the world. William took every opportunity to explore all research
conducted in the United States and Europe in order to identify
the
most promising studies that the Foundation’s fund-raising
events
would support. Funding promising research projects and scientists
meant seeing his dream — and the dream of others —
to walk again
come to fruition.
William’s personal life was filled with everyday activities
that included rigorous physical therapy workouts on his F.E.S.
(functional electrical stimulation) bicycle which kept his body
and muscles conditioned.
With the help of larger organizations, such as The Christopher
Reeve Foundation and The Miami Project, he understood that research
was advancing so rapidly that a cure was only a matter of time.
William believed that constant conditioning and exercise was essential
for sustaining his health with the expectation that he would be
one of
the first to take the challenge of clinical trials. His determination
and unselfish desire to help himself and others with spinal cord
injury was,
and still is, a driving force behind the research efforts that
continue today.
William’s passing on March 4, 2006 was unexpected and devastating
to all who knew him. Scientists throughout the world personally
expressed their sadness on hearing the news and are committed
more than ever to find the cure for the hundreds of thousands
whose lives are affected by spinal cord injuries.
William inspired countless people to help in the cause to find
a cure
for spinal cord injury and will always be remembered not only
for his
bright smile and positive attitude, but as a man who changed the
course of the lives of all who had the privilege to know him.
The William Heiser Foundation is proud to be a part of his legacy
and will continue to “March Forth” toward William’s
dream
of walking again….
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