Life Rolls On Rolls Out the Red Carpet

Ryan Cardone

With that Sal took the stage and the night got underway as guests were treated to dinner, a silent auction, a live auction, an awards ceremony, and an informational presentation. Most came away from the former segment with two crucial points in their minds. Jesse, who took the stage to address his guests, articulated the first. “Its not all about the physical,” he said to the choked up crowd, “it’s about where your mind and your heart are.” An emphasis on spirituality is something that everyone in attendance could relate to, and it is clear that this mindset plays a crucial role in helping those who are affected to cope with the adversity of a spinal cord injury. The second point put forth was more tangible and speaks volumes about what is being done to help make paralysis due to spinal injuries a thing of the past. In a film provided by the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, guests were informed by leading medical experts that the field of spinal cord injury research “is in a whole different universe than it was 10 years ago.” These experts have determined that the spinal cord can regenerate itself and feel there is no longer a question of “if” when it comes to the issue of a solution, only a question of “when.”

With these positive messages running through everyone’s brain, Jesse closed shop on the fund raising part of the night and moved on to the entertainment. Guests were thrilled by a parade of musicians that included, DJ Mark Moreno, Ex-World Champ Tom Curren, rising musical star Matt Costa, the enigmatic White Buffalo, and the surprise performer, Ziggy Marley.

Ryan Cardone

As Ziggy sang words his father wrote decades ago, words that speak of equality, liberation, and revolution, a point that was brought up earlier in the night during the Christopher Reeves film was hammered home. Freedom is a concept that universally appeals to all surfers. It’s something that is so deeply ingrained in our collective psyche that the word itself plays a role in defining who we are. Surfing is where Jesse Billauer finds his independence and freedom. His out look on life, his dedication to the Life Rolls On Foundation, and his love of the sport are all part of his salvation. Those present in Santa Monica on Sunday the 25th came away with a deeper grasp of this, but they also learned something else that is vital to understanding what foundations like Life Rolls On are trying to do. As one woman from the film put it, the search to find a cure for spinal cord injuries is not merely a medical issue; it is a civil rights issue as well. It is a quest for liberation, an ongoing revolution to impart freedom and independence upon those who have been affected by the unfortunate reality of these injuries.

For more information about spinal cord injuries, spinal cord injury research, the Life Rolls On Foundation, and for links to the Christopher Reeves Paralysis Foundation visit: http://www.liferollson.org