November 25, 2008 (LOS ANGELES, CA) -- The Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC), which for four decades has advocated for the civil rights of people with disabilities, has recognized Ossur, a trusted and leading global innovator and provider of non-invasive orthopaedic products and services, with the Charles D. Siegal President's Award.
Tim McCarthy, vice president of Prosthetics for Ossur Americas, accepted the award on Thursday before 500 local and national leaders in the legal, entertainment, and other industries at the DRLC's Annual Gala in downtown Los Angeles. Mr. McCarthy and his team are credited with leading an entire industry into the Bionic age of prosthetics with Ossur's successful market entry via three groundbreaking product launches: the Rheo Knee, the Power Knee and the Proprio Foot. All three products have gained international recognition and acclaim.
There to present the award was April Holmes, the fastest female amputee in the world.
April owns the World Records (women's T44 classification) in the 100m, 200m and 400m dashes, and came home from the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games with the Gold medal in the 100m race. She is also a member of Team Ossur, a group of elite amputee athletes sponsored by Ossur because - through their impressive achievements - they embody Ossur's call for all disabled people to live a Life without Limitations.
"The Siegal Award recognizes the extraordinary contributions that Ossur and its inventors have made to the world community," said Paula Pearlman, Esq., and the DRLC's executive director. "Ossur's manufacture of prosthetics and bionics - that have effectively revolutionized the way people with mobility disabilities experience the world - reinforces our organization's values of inclusion and equality. In addition, Ossur's inventors' vision and limitless expectations parallel our organization's motto of "Protecting the Possibilities," she added.
The Disability Rights Legal Center is a nonprofit organization formed in 1975 to advocate for the legal rights of people with all kinds of disabilities. As such, it is the oldest cross-disability advocacy organization in the country. The organization's national and far-reaching programs have played a significant role in enhancing the quality of life for many people who must overcome challenges each day in order to participate fully in American life.
Other DRLC honorees included BP America with the Employer's Award; Raytheon, Inc. with the Corporate Award; the comedienne and visionary Fran Drescher with the Cancer Vanguard Award and the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery, LLP with the Pro Bono Award. The I AM PWD Campaign was honored with the DREAM Award for its continued commitment to access, inclusion and people with disabilities.
About the DRLC
The Disability Rights Legal Center is a non-profit organization affiliated with Loyola Law School that works on several fronts to better serve the disabled community. Its important programs include the programs include: the Civil Rights Litigation Project, the Education Advocacy Project, the Community Outreach Project, the Cancer Legal Resource Center, and Options Counseling and Lawyer Referral. www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org
About Ossur
Ossur (Nasdaq/OMX: OSSR) is a global leader in non-invasive orthopaedics that help people live a life without limitations. Its business is focused on improving people's mobility through the delivery of innovative technologies within the fields of braces, supports, prosthetic limbs and compression therapies. A recognized "Technology Pioneer," Ossur invests significantly in research and product development; its award-winning designs ensuring a consistently strong position in the market. Successful patient and clinical outcomes are further empowered via Ossur's educational programs and business solutions. Headquartered in Iceland, Ossur has major operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, with additional distributors worldwide. www.ossur.com
Contacts:
DRLC:
Randi Sunshine
Director of Development
Tel: 213-736-1468
Randi.sunshine@lls.edu
Ossur Americas:
Tabi King
Marketing and Public Relations Director
Tel: 949-360-3756
tking@ossur.com
Public Relations:
Beverly Millson
Missing Sock Public Relations
Cell: 310-804-3469
beverly@missingsock.com